Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Conner and Lita Barreda.
Hi Destiny and Lita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Lita and I, a stepmom and daughter duo with a Peruvian American and Peruvian background, fulfilled our dream of starting a children’s brand inspired by my own kids. Our passion for doing good led us to create a brand focused on giving back. Red & Olive co is a handmade fair trade doll and accessory brand. We established operations and design in Peru, soft-launched in December 2019, and officially launched in February 2020. We spend every day designing ways for children to connect with our rich cultural influences. We blend traditional art forms with the latest fashion trends. Red & Olive Co. was born out of passion, risk-taking, and a whole lot of love. Despite pandemic challenges that forced us to pivot from our initial boutique and influencer strategy, we focused on building a solid foundation. By our second through third year, we saw growth, and through persistence and hard work, we achieved collaborations with brands like The Great, Nordstrom, Magnolia, goop, BuzzFeed, and Parents Magazine. We’re immensely proud of our accomplishments.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our journey has been full of obstacles and challenges from our initial launch. The first was dealing with the pandemic, which was a tough way to start. There were so many uncertainties, but we decided to take it one day at a time and continue believing in ourselves until we achieved more success. In our second year, the pandemic was still ongoing, but it was time for us to travel back to Peru to inspect our new product and introduce a new mini line of dolls. When we arrived in Peru, a big surprise awaited us at our quality control factory. One of our competitors saw us as a threat and had us kicked out, refusing to let us into any factory. Since there are only three knitting quality control factories in Peru, we had to think fast. We didn’t give up; instead, we sought help and managed to assemble our own team of artisans. This move saved us and allowed us to keep moving forward. We’ve now formed a strong bond with our team of artisans, even though it’s been tough and a learning curve. Working directly with them enables us to get to know all the families involved and truly strive to be a direct positive influence for them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Lita and I are both entrepreneurs and creative minds. Lita, with her remarkable artistic skills, specializes in creating beautiful illustrations and possesses a keen eye for design. Her inspiration for our dolls is drawn from everything around her, particularly my children, who serve as our muses. We have a deep appreciation for both classic and trending styles, and our goal is to infuse the traditional artistry and knitting techniques of Peru with the latest fashion trends from the USA, resulting in a timeless look. While I also contribute to the design process, my passion lies in crafting new designs and products, playing with colors, and weaving a unique story behind each doll. Additionally, I’ve discovered a newfound enthusiasm for marketing and overseeing our photoshoots and promotional materials. I’m deeply dedicated to conveying our brand’s story through each doll.
We also take immense pride in is our ability to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and businesses. We thrive on embracing new creative challenges, fostering partnerships, and spreading the essence of collaboration and unity. Our goal is to engage in endeavors that transcend boundaries and contribute to the greater good of all those around us.
Together, Lita and I form a dynamic team, constantly innovating and maintaining an archive of designs and ideas for many years to come. Though much of our work may remain hidden due to financial constraints as a small business, the joy we derive from creating and collaborating makes us an unbeatable team.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we cherish most about our city is the sense of artistry and the belief that anything is possible here. Additionally, as women in the US, we feel blessed with access to numerous resources and opportunities that may not be readily available in third-world countries like Peru. We aim to share this knowledge and foster a positive mindset among the women in Peru, empowering them to believe in their limitless potential and not be hindered by any barriers, including gender-related challenges. However, it can be challenging living in a fast-paced world where handmade and fair trade products may not always receive the appreciation they deserve.
Pricing:
- Match Me Sets $98-$88
- Midi $55
- 7″ Baby – $35
- Lovey $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redandoliveco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redandoliveco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redandoliveco/
Image Credits
Life style photos by Ryan Pavlovich Photo of Lita and Destiny with Peruvian Artisans by Carla Blumenkrantz
