Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Wester.
Hi Julia, 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?
I was a Television Producer in a past life, in which I won an Emmy! After ten years, I wasn’t really happy producing television anymore. I was engaged and in the process of planning my wedding and found a new love for creating that way. I made the hard decision to leave production and start over again at 30 with a brand new career. I started interning and working for free to learn as much as I could.
Eventually, I got a job as a Creative Assistant with Designer and Lifestyle Blogger Joy Cho of Oh Joy! One thing led to another and I created my job there and became the in house prop stylist. Playing with pretty props and creating DIYS was my everyday and I loved it. I was the Creative Content Director at Oh Joy! for the seven years.
Then, I found myself transitioning into navigating a new life with two kiddos at home during a pandemic. Creative companies were all on hold and there wasn’t much work I could do with my kids at home. So, I started dyeing clothing for fun and to keep my creative juices flowing. After tie-dyeing tees for my son’s Camp themed 2nd birthday, I began experimenting and dyeing more pieces for friends and family. One thing led to another and Camp by Julia Wester was born. I have since collaborated with many wonderful brands and opened my own online shop.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The pandemic has also thrown a wrench into my career and life in general, as it has with a lot of people. Right when it happened, I was transitioning from a job I had for seven years to jumping into becoming a freelance prop stylist. I wasn’t able to smoothly make that transition because everything shut down. I found the momentum I had and all the potential clients lined up to work with were gone. After building a career and many transitions to find a job I love, I was forced to change gears and put that aside to stay home with my kids. I have a five year old and a two year old. Like most moms, that was and still is a major challenge and daily struggle. But with this struggle, I had to find new ways to try and work and be creative. I don’t think Camp would have been born if I wasn’t forced this time to build it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an all-around creative person. I’m a prop stylist and Artist. What I’m most proud of is the fact that I’m able to do so many different things from creating your DIY party backdrop to styling a room or art directing a photoshoot, producing video content, and I’m a hand dye artist with my own shop, Camp by Julia Wester.
Honestly, I never thought I’d have my own retail business. I am so thankful to have Camp and I love dyeing pieces and I’m so happy that people love it. My shop was my pandemic baby and I am extremely proud of what it’s become. I have gotten to work with many brands that I love and collaborating on beautiful pieces. I hope people continue to love my shop and It’ll continue to grow and evolve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
This is an interesting question because I am not a lucky person. I always joke about this because I am never lucky. When the pandemic started and I was in the middle of this career transition, I broke my ankle. So I was stuck at home on the couch unable to do anything for months with two young kids at home and my career in limbo. Now that is bad luck! But I take that bad luck and I turn lemons into lemonade, like Beyonce says “A winner don’t quit on themselves”. I’ve learned to be resilient. I always “leap and the net will appear”. That has been my life’s motto.
Pricing:
- Dye Kit with Video Tutorial, $60
- Mini Dye Refill Kit, $24
- Dyed Cotton Pillowcases, $40
- Cotton Crew Socks, $18
- Rainbow Ombre Pullover, $46
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://campbyjw.com/, https://www.juliasirwester.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbyjw/?hl=en, https://www.instagram.com/juliasirwester/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Campbyjw/?__xts__[%2Ffacebook]
Image Credits
Lucia Tran, Casey Brodley, Lily Glass
