Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Ruegg.
Krista, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Although I studied fashion in college, my career took a spiritual detour, and for the past 18 years, I’ve been in the field of wellness as I’ve grown my private practice of therapeutic massage and healing arts.
It was through a personal healing journey of my own, bringing awareness through Reiki and gemstone therapy to my sacral chakra—which happens to be the center for creative energy—that inspired the idea of creating an intimate channel to harness the healing power of the stones that could benefit the wearer all day long.
I knew of countless women who were wearing gemstones in their bras and underwear to achieve this result, so it seemed like the perfect solution to attach the gemstones in a purposeful, beautiful, artistic way instead. And it thrilled me to the core to finally explore and connect my interest in fashion with this unique spiritual edge.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly, the road has been anything but smooth. Starting any business from scratch would undoubtedly create encounters with numerous challenges. Since I started Chakra Intimates without any prior experience navigating the fashion industry’s sources of professionals and services; just learning the ropes is challenging, but adding the additional challenge of even where to find the ropes, or in my case the literal thread, added more steps to the process of taking my dream from vision to reality.
So specifically there have been challenges in finding the right people to help with every step. There are so many moving parts to a fashion production that depend on each other to make sure the designs come out as envisioned, the chosen materials work together, the timeline for completion is upheld, etc., etc. Then after you have your completed collection, it’s time to sell. That opens up a whole other side of the business that takes a whole different team of professionals to help guide and assist.
Fortunately, in Los Angeles, there are countless resources and professionals, but as I said, the challenge lies in finding the team that fits your budget and needs.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Chakra Intimates – what should we know?
Chakra Intimates is spiritually inspired lingerie and loungewear, created with sustainable, plant-based fabrics to provide the wearer a sense of personal power, enhanced well-being and support by the earth’s energy.
Over each chakra, center is a hand-sewn, Reiki charged and ethically sourced gemstone that creates a beautiful product that has supportive energy infused into it. I feel Chakra Intimates is for the woman who wants a deeper connection with herself and the planet and I’ve personally never known of a lingerie company that has that as it’s core mission for its customers to experience.
I’m also proud to say we are a company that takes the environment into consideration with all decisions made. A few of the main considerations we’ve made are sourcing and producing locally and to reduce our carbon footprint.
We do this by using recycled and recyclable tags and packaging; foregoing single-use plastic garment packaging for reusable organza gift bags; choosing sustainable, biodegradable fabric and low impact, plant-based dyes; carefully planning our production for minimal waste.
Then, we up-cycle any leftover production materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, like the creation of our “Third Eye Calming Masks” which besides the Amethyst gemstone, is made from 100% up-cycled production materials.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would have to say my husband has been my biggest supporter who deserves a lot of credit for encouraging me daily and helping me get as far as I have with this business and vision so far. Then, of course, I have to give huge credit and thanks to my x-partner, Nandi Haidl who started this with me but then left to pursue starting a family.
Even though it was a difficult transition to lose her daily support and I miss the partnership, I am grateful for the contribution she made to help me get Chakra Intimates launched and for her faith in me to be able to continue.
And of course I have to give HUGE credit and thanks to our customers and those who chose to support small businesses and keep the sustainable business model in mind with their conscious purchases.
Pricing:
- The collection ranges from our Third Eye Calming Mask at $26 to our Resonance Robe at $128. Our price range for a set is $102-$120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chakraintimates.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chakraintimates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chakraintimates/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChakraIntimates
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
