Today we’d like to introduce you to Quendi Lara.
Hi Quendi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Well I was born under an apple tree in Sonoma County and then raised back and forth between Bahia Brazil and Northern California. I never spent a day in my life without crystals, gemstones, rocks and the magic of the natural world in my periphery. My parents took me adventuring at a young age to the interior of Brazil, we visited mines, and explored a great deal. We took many road trips both in North America and South America. I started going to the world famous Tucson gem show when I was around 5 yrs old. I always described that gem show as a modern day silk road, many worlds collide out there in the desert, treasures from all parts of the world surface and a market place takes over the city where all the valuables get exchanged and dispersed back out into all corners the globe.
My family traveled frequently, I was lucky to have a broadened world view due to growing up between two contrasting cultures. The bohemian lifestyle of my upbringing fueled me to have a naturally adventurous spirit. I worked several jobs and made just enough to keep venturing to the next destination. My love for language led me to live in Europe in order to learn more Latin languages. I understood the importance of communicating with people in their native tongue in order to gain insight and have a deeper grasp of their culture. I came back to California to go to University and studied global international relations and film. I became very passionate about human rights issues and global movements, the environment and sustainability. Telling stories and traveling with a higher purpose became my goal. In my early life I leaned towards a nomadic lifestyle, absorbing as much diversity in cultures around me as possible. I never wanted to travel as a tourist, I wanted a mission. After living and studying in Rio de Janeiro for a chapter, I came back to the US and started a rainforest product business with my sister, importing guaraná from Brazil. Shortly after starting the business I moved to New York City. I believe NY is where I became an adult. I grew and learned tremendously from being an entrepreneur, starting my own business while working various jobs, all concurrently to survive. I started working in film production, taking any job that I could get, while also working in nightlife and maintaining side hustles selling gemstones and jewelry. After about a decade in NY, I moved to LA and continued to work in film production. Determined to learn as much as I could, I got experience in various departments over the years, working all types of shoots, from documentary to commercials, music videos, television and independent film. I’ve always oscillated between the film production arena, creative arts and the gems and jewelry world, all divergent realms to be involved in. The creative in me enjoyed designing and creating jewels, collaborating with other artists creating bespoke pieces, and sourcing emeralds and other rare gems such as paraiba tourmaline. With the intention to help expand my family business, I opened Quore studio in the historical Bradbury building in downtown LA, as a place I could create, collaborate and share with others rare unique treasures and jewels. My conflict with the gem and jewelry industry was the lack of transparency. With humanitarian rights and environmental protection at the core of my values, I felt a responsibility to address some of these issues that the industry had neglected to shine a light on in the past. Those concerns led me to engage with other like minded individuals who shared the same philosophy and had created an ethical gem suppliers collective, providing trustable sourcing for the industry.
Simultaneously, I have remained involved in the documentary film sector, with a focus on inspiring human stories and an emphasis on the environment and innovative solutions to our current world challenges. My first experience with documentary filmmaking was when I was 15, I traveled to Tunisia, Africa with my mother who was making a documentary about the production of precious flower oils. This experience was life changing for me and catalyzed my desire to work in documentaries. Today I primarily enjoy field producing. I like to be on set or in the field, hearing the stories and interviewing people I would otherwise never cross paths with. I love working with different teams of people, discovering and diving deeper into realities that perhaps without the vehicle of film, there would be no access to. I love investigative journalism and am eager to explore that avenue of storytelling through film. Ultimately I hope to further develop my directing skills. I envision all my different worlds converging at some point. I have always trusted the journey. My life experiences are leading me down a path, I will look back on and understand the reason for each step along the way as a critical piece in the final puzzle. I look forward to the next chapter unfolding.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say I have fully lived if there weren’t bumps, twists and turns along the way. There have absolutely been challenges. I think I’ve refrained from embracing the benefits of social media for digital marketing. I can’t help feeling that there seems to be an unspoken mandatory expectation from modern society to be constantly engaged in social media channels to remain relevant or visible at all. That has definitely been an obstacle to overcome, a language I still need to learn.
Another main challenge for me has been the fact that I’m constantly shifting between completely different industries and trying to maintain the balance. Many people say “pick a lane! nobody will take you seriously” and I have wrestled with letting go of any of the worlds that I have invested so much time and energy into. I often feel I should make a choice but also resist the notion that we can’t be multiple things all at once. Choosing the path of an entrepreneur or freelancer comes with sacrifices and challenges. When you don’t always know what lies ahead or what opportunity will arise there is a level of excitement and curiosity that guides you. The sacrifice is in surrendering to the unknown without any certainty or guarantees of a stable outcome. I think this phenomenon is the artist’s way of life, it can be feast or famine and most people that have dedicated their lives to creative fields understand this dance well. It is the same for the people out there trying to start their own business or anyone choosing a path that isn’t linear. To continually trust the mystery of it all is challenging.
When deciding to embark on a path like this, you must hold yourself accountable. One must self motivate, self direct, plan, organize, and be disciplined enough to take on the responsibility of generating work. This part is hard and although it is a path that I feel is more conducive to magic and adventure, it doesn’t come without the stresses of uncertainty and survival. On the flip side, you are free to choose, free to say yes or no to anything and free to make your schedule. You are ultimately your own boss, that freedom is irreplaceable.
Another major challenge, not unique to me, involves being a woman in business. The challenge for women doing business in male-dominated industries is deeply influenced by societal norms and expectations that have only recently begun to be challenged. These constructs have led to systemic barriers for women who seek to enter or succeed in these fields, making it challenging for them to gain respect and recognition. That in turn leads women to battle with imposter syndrome and self doubt. Additionally, women often feel they must choose between pursuing a career and the desire to have a family. Facing these challenges requires not only strength and resilience but determination and courage to voice the changes needed. Advocating for equal opportunities is essential in order to create a more equitable and supportive environment for women in business. I do feel there is a shift in the winds and have hope that the future generations are far more conscious in this regard.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Quore Jewelry
-Specializing in fine jewelry with unique and rare traceable gemstones from Brazil and beyond.
-Bespoke custom designs and collaborations
-Gem dealer that also does sourcing for other designers, primarily Emeralds, Rutilated Quartz & other rare gemstones
Film Producer
-Specializing in Documentary Field producing
What matters most to you?
Remaining curious and acknowledging that there is always more to learn and ways to grow is important. Living a life with authenticity, integrity, honesty, humility, loyalty, compassion, empathy, an open mind, a generous heart, a free spirit and a vibrant soul, are the qualities that guide me. I respect the well being of our planet, both nature and humanity. I am aware that our time here is fleeting. Therefore being involved in projects that are inspiring and have meaningful impact, matters to me. Working with others that I admire that also share these values is important to me.
It is also important to have a good time. Life in this modern world is heavy enough. Having a sense of humor, surrendering to love and remembering to dance to the rhythm of your journey is equally as important as our attempts at finding our purpose and making a mark in this world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Quendilara
Image Credits
Karolina Wallace
