Inspiring Conversations with Jamie and Kristin Schuppert of Terra Coastal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie and Kristin Schuppert.

Hi Jamie and Kristin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Going back to the beginning – my twin sister, Kristin, and I moved to Los Angeles from Kansas to attend FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in 2012 and worked in social media and influencer marketing at several fashion brands. Our whole lives, we thought our career path would grow within the fashion industry, but after ten years, we got burnt out, and our eyes opened to the toll the industry takes on the environment.

Fast forward to 2019, Kristin and I took a trip to visit a friend in Turkey. While there, we fell in love with the unique character and details of the ceramics by local artisans throughout Turkey. Since that trip, my sister and I have been collecting one-of-a-kind, antique home goods from Turkish locals. Our interest in home decor grew over time, and our passion now lies within interior design.

There was something about the authentic, limited quantity of handmade ceramics and wood objects that we were drawn to. Being able to re-claim and re-home new and antique goods, which have been stored in the yards of locals for decades, felt more in alignment with our own sustainability beliefs while also giving people beautiful and truly one-of-a-kind home decor.

Being in our 30s and building the foundation of our adult years, we found ourselves and our friends doing our best to get rid of the old, janky, IKEA-like furniture and decor that we’d had since our early 20s. As I’m sure most of you have experienced, purchasing new furniture and decor is EXPENSIVE. We found this gap where people in their 30s (and beyond) couldn’t find truly authentic home decor unless you paid an arm and a leg – and even then, it still felt manufactured. We knew there was a huge demand for these pieces, but no one would offer fair prices – but that’s where we came in and decided to offer it ourselves.

My sister and I have always had the desire to start a business together, and this just felt right. We were able to use our marketing and social media skills to start building Terra Coastal (and still continue to do so). Every few months, we source new and antique ceramic vases, pots, wood breadboards, and bowls from different family vendors throughout Turkey. We are using a themed drop system as demand is high and quantities are limited.

Since launching in 2013, we have grown so much and continue to do so. We are working on a couple of exciting new offerings (think linens…..) and collaborations that we can’t wait to share.

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?
Oh wow, we’ve had so many learning curves. One of the biggest was learning the hard way on how to properly pack these fragile items when importing. We were so excited to receive our first shipment, but quickly had a reality check when a large percentage of the goods from the container came in broken. Logistics and importing alone has been such a learning process, but with every new container, we are gaining more and more knowledge on best practices.

I will also note that we will no longer haul and store 300+ pots in our loft at three stories high!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Terra Coastal?
We sustainably source and import one-of-a-kind new and antique home decor from around the world.

We are known for our authentic home decor that is fairly priced (you can get the same exact goods from us for $170, that other retailers sell for $600). Our prices range from $35-$600, where you can find both smaller table accessories to large vessels that are intended to be the star of your home.

Our product offering includes ceramic pots, vases, wood stools, benches, dough boats, breadboard, and candles made from aged olive jars.

We occasionally do local flea markets around LA, but you can always find us online at www.terracoastal.co. The best way to hear about upcoming drops or new containers is by signing up to our email list on the homepage of our website. We’re also a social-media heavy brand so following along will keep you updated and inspired!

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking has been a huge part of our business. As entrepreneurs who haven’t always been in the interior design world, we have made a tremendous effort to get coffee and pick the brains of any designers, stagers, wholesalers, etc. It’s so important to get yourself out there and get advice from others within the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.terracoastal.co
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/terracoastal?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terracoastal?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@terracoastal