Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Hong.
Elaine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Good Karma started with a gift from my friend Nudee, who gave me a handmade cotton dress from Chiang Mai embroidered with bright orange carrots. It was so unique. I wore it so much that it eventually fell apart, and when I asked Nudee to find me another, she couldn’t. It was something special to that region that rarely made its way to the States. That realization sparked a thought in me — why not share these beautiful pieces with others in the United States?
With Nudee’s help, I started reaching out to local makers in Thailand, learning about the materials, the craft, and the women behind the work. I’d order just a few handmade pieces at a time, wait weeks for them to arrive, and list them on Etsy, not knowing if anyone would buy them. Slowly, people did. Each positive review proved to me that others felt the same appreciation I did, and encouraged me to continue this adventure.
While getting to know more vendors in Chiang Mai, I found that there’s a large community there that loves Indian block print, which became my first introduction to the craft. Eventually, I began sourcing block-printed cotton directly from Jaipur, which brings me to where I am today.
Over the past year, I’ve learned so much — and made plenty of mistakes along the way. What began as reselling has turned into creating my own pieces. I’ve taught myself how to design patterns, cut and sew, and get back on my machine to create again. The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve slowed down — not just in my work, but in how I approach life. It’s reminded me that good things take time, and that sustainability begins with awareness, patience, and care in every step.
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?
There have been a lot of challenges in every aspect of this business, one of the mains ones has been learning how to work with natural materials. Natural fabric shrinks, fades, and takes dye differently every time. You can never get natural dye to behave exactly the same as before, and those variations, even as small as five or ten percent, can sometimes be visible to the eye. There’s always a bit of human error in block printing too, which some people might see as a flaw. For me, that’s part of the beauty. But this is where education comes in, helping customers understand what “natural” really means and setting realistic expectations.
Sizing has been another big learning curve. Sizes in Asia tend to run smaller, and many artisans aren’t used to making larger patterns, so that’s been something I’ve had to figure out over time. I still haven’t quite nailed it, and though I know bodies are all different, I try my best to get as close as I can.
When you’re building something from scratch without a background in fashion or e-commerce, it’s easy to question yourself and have imposter syndrome. I’ve had to learn everything as I go, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. But, I move forward with radical optimism, and try to turn every “oops” into a learning moment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, Good Karma is about slow fashion and celebrating craftsmanship. I create small-batch clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton gauze and Indian block print, all sourced directly from artisans in Thailand and India.
What I think sets Good Karma apart is the intention behind it. It’s not about trends or mass production. It’s about comfort, quality, and honoring the people and traditions behind the work.
I also design with real life in mind. I want people to actually wear these clothes — to travel, to work, to relax, to live in them. They’re meant to be easy, breathable, and versatile.
What I’m most proud of is how far this has come from where it started. It began with a single handmade dress and has grown into a community of people who care about how things are made. I’m getting to the point where I have repeat customers, I see people at the weekend markets light up when they see me, I feel such joy in sharing this with them. I’m excited to keep building on that — to explore new styles, collaborate with more artisans, grow the team, and keep sharing what sustainable fashion can look and feel like.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is the creativity and openness of the people here. There’s such a strong sense of individuality, and everyone is doing something interesting, whether it’s art, food, design, or music. That kind of energy makes it an inspiring place to build a small business. I also love how community-driven it can be once you find your people. The markets, the makers, the local shops, it all feels connected in a really special way.
What I like least is how hard it can be to slow down here. Everything moves fast, and sometimes it feels like you’re always playing catch-up. Between the cost of living, the traffic, and the constant pace, it can be tough to carve out time to rest and reflect. But that’s also what makes finding balance here feel so meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madebygoodkarma.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebygoodkarma
