Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kate Pawlicki Bourne of Palm Springs/Joshua Tree

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kate Pawlicki Bourne. Check out our conversation below.

Kate , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’m exploring how Palm Springs’ Old West heritage connects to the present. The Los Compadres Club, operating since 1939, bridges those worlds—where frontier tradition and contemporary community intersect. The club hosts two annual events that keep that continuity alive: the Deep Pit BBQ (coming up November 1st) and the Invitational Guest Ride through Palm Springs in March. These are real examples of how that history stays active and shared.
I’ve been discovering Moorten Botanical Garden as a living archive of the landscape that shaped this place. It’s a way to understand the past while appreciating what’s here now.
Also tending our olive and citrus trees. That’s where old and new meet—keeping what worked before alive while building something that endures. That’s the real connection.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder of Ghost Town Ranch, a lifestyle brand bringing the American West into modern spaces. We make home and body products that work as well as they look—because function and design should go hand in hand.
Our “Bring the West Home” campaign is about treating our products as art pieces that actually elevate how people live. We’re working with boutique hospitality brands and interior designers to create installations that feel authentic, not nostalgic.
We’re launching a “Scent of the West” home fragrance line, and we’ve built a digital trade program for designers to access our work directly. It’s about creating a real community around the aesthetic—people who get what we’re doing and want to be part of it. The West isn’t just a look. It’s a way of thinking about quality, intention, and how you want to live.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Studying Art History in Italy was a pivotal moment for me. However, it wasn’t until we bought acreage at the foothills of Joshua Tree National Park before the pandemic and later started planting olive trees in 2023 that I fully grasped the connection between past and present. Witnessing those trees thrive in the harsh desert climate was a powerful reminder that beauty can flourish in unexpected places, and this perspective has deeply influenced Ghost Town Ranch.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
At Ghost Town Ranch, we’re all about embracing the unexpected and staying open to new ideas. As we drop new products, we’re eager to hear what our community thinks. We’re not afraid to pivot or adjust our approach based on feedback – it’s all part of the process. We’re keeping it lowkey, staying true to our desert-inspired roots, and letting the feedback guide us.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
At Ghost Town Ranch, we’re redefining luxury as a sense of home that’s deeply connected to the American West. We’re not just talking about a physical space, but a feeling that’s rooted in the art, culture, and people that have been shaped by this unique environment. We’re drawn to the way the desert’s vast expanse and rugged beauty have inspired creatives like Donald Judd, Georgia O’Keeffe and the musicians who’ve sought solace in its silence. Our approach is guided by a simple principle: when it feels like home, it’s worth staying for. We’re creating spaces and products that capture the essence of this feeling.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
The desert’s got me. I’m not looking for a new path; I’m on it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ghosttownranch.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ghosttownranch
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pulpinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theghosttownranch/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostTownRanch
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pulplab
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghosttownranch