Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubrey Cooper.
Hi Aubrey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Aubrey Cooper, owner of Desert Door Collective. I started Desert Door as a small vintage Etsy shop in 2018. Growing up I always wanted to own something that I had created. I had always dreamed of owning my own shop and throughout my formative years/meeting mentors, I slowly started to realize that I wanted to start selling curated goods. I have always had a passion for thrifting and finding one of a kind goods. In 2017/2018, I was struggling with depression and anxiety, feeling homesick, missing my home state of California. The only thing that seemed to help me get through my thoughts and feeling at the time was thrifting. I had a passion for finding goods that reflected my love for the desert and coastal areas of California. I had then stopped my curation while in the midst of planning my wedding/getting married. Then in 2020, I realized I wanted to expand desert door, by finding a new love for interior design and creating spaces and curating a wardrobe to reflect my love of again the California desert and coastal areas. By doing my own research and travel, I found a way to expand Desert Door with not only new, but vintage home decor, clothing and accessories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road, there are also days when I feel like I am still not in the clear! It has taken me years to finally curated the style and brand I want to share with the world, as well as the many hours of work and travel I have had to do to research the makers I want to work with to create Desert Door. It is still a process when it comes to my SEO and marketing. I have to realize that it takes time and our business won’t just blow up overnight. I am slowly learning more and more things that allow me to grow as a person and a brand.
As you know, we’re big fans of Desert Door Collective. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Desert Door Collective specializes in curating that feeling of warmth. As I had mentioned previously, desert door’s inspiration comes from the desert and coastal areas of California. We curate more items that lean into warm tones and different natural textures that these areas have to offer. I think what sets us apart is our curated goods. I spend hours and even days researching items that not only are fair trade but also sustainably made. shopping small, vintage and secondhand is the perfect way to remain conscious and sustainable while still finding your dream pieces. by shopping small, not only are you reducing the waste and unethical labor practices associated with fast-fashion, you are also owning unique pieces that are made to last. We currently just offer home goods, clothing and accessories, but we hope to expand into our own and storefront and even offer design services one day.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I’d say my family and mental health are the things that matter most to me. They are the two things that keep me going. The reason I even started Desert Door was to help me get outside of my feelings and create. Mental Health has been a huge driver for me to keep going, along with my family. I always had a hard time putting myself out there and this gives me an outlet. To open the conversation with people in my community etc. My family is the greatest motivator for me, because they believe in me, and know I can create and do whatever I put my mind to. When my husband and I expand our family, I want my kids to know, that they can do the same, whatever they put their minds to. I want them to be able to know that they can chase their dreams. Life is way too short not to take a chance on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Email: desertdoorcollective@gmail.com
- Website: desertdoorcollective.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/desertdoorcollective
- Facebook: Facebook.come/desertdoorcollective
- Other: tiktok.com/desertdoorcollective
Image Credits
Aubrey Cooper
