We recently connected with Laura Adams and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

The idea behind Kindly Woven grew out of both frustration and possibility. I’d been working in textiles for years and saw firsthand how difficult it had become for small designers and independent creatives to break into the interiors and home markets. The industry had always been somewhat shrouded in mystery, but in the last decade or so, it felt more like a closed (and bolted) door. High minimums, the industry’s lack of interest in working with small businesses, and the lack of guidance kept many away from an market that was once highly creative, and in my opinion needed to be disrupted. At the same time, I knew that there was a growing hunger on both sides (creatives and buyers), and truly felt that I was in the perfect position to make that match.

I started imagining ways that I could bridge the gap between the two. A way that I could bring small-bath woven textiles and small or emerging brands together and help refresh the industry. The more I dove in, the more it began to feel like a calling. I had a deep knowledge of woven design, product development, manufacturing, the commercial and residential interiors markets, and a 30 year history of helping some of the world’s largest brands develop their product lines. I wanted to help smaller brands do the same and disrupt an industry that has grown too far from it’s creative purpose.

Laura , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My work has always centered on textiles, design, and creative storytelling. Wovens are three-dimensional forms, and I find the balance between pattern, structure, and possibility endlessly fascinating. It was a natural fit for both the artistic and mathematical sides of who I am and I loved the deep history behind textiles both in the US and around the world.
Over time, I saw how difficult it was for independent artists and designers to access the interiors market. Large manufacturers dominate the space, and the processes can feel overwhelming and out of reach for smaller creatives. That challenge sparked the idea for Kindly Woven.

Through my business, I create small-batch woven textiles that are made in the USA, collaborate with artists to produce meaningful collections, and mentor designers who want to bring their work into the interiors industry. Keeping production in the U.S. is a deeply held passion of mine. It not only supports local economies, families, and skilled craftspeople, but it also ensures a level of quality, transparency, and sustainability that I believe is vital to the future of design.

The problems I solve are rooted in clarity and access. For designers, I help them understand how the interiors industry works and show them practical, achievable steps to move their work into the world. For clients and customers, I provide products and collaborations that merge artistry with integrity.

What sets me apart is that I am both a maker and a mentor. I am deeply engaged in creating products while also guiding others through the process. That dual perspective allows me to connect creativity with real-world strategy. I am most proud of helping to build opportunities where they didn’t exist before. What I want people to know about Kindly Woven is that it is about more than textiles. It is about honoring and uplifting creatives, championing American-made production, and weaving together tradition with modern innovation.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I care deeply about reviving American textile manufacturing because I’ve seen the real cost of losing it. The mills I’ve worked for weren’t just workplaces, they were the backbone of communities, and when production moved overseas, people lost more than jobs, they lost a way of life. Those jobs matter, and while some like to imply that they are old-fashioned or beneath the American worker, they couldn’t be more wrong. There is something about creating a product that gives life to the people who make it. That experience shaped me, and it’s why Made in the USA is non-negotiable in my work. Supporting local mills preserves skills, strengthens communities, builds families, and brings accountability back into the process.

Alongside that, I’m equally committed to fair artistry. Too often, artists and designers have been overlooked or underpaid for their contributions, treated as expendable instead of essential. Through Kindly Woven, I want to change that narrative by making sure artists are credited, compensated fairly, and truly seen for the value they bring.

My mission is about both: rebuilding an industry that matters here at home, and uplifting the artists who deserve to be at the center of it

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve made was shifting from building businesses for others in corporate America to building one for myself. For years, I worked behind the scenes, helping corporations profit from the talent of creatives, while watching those same artists often be underpaid, undervalued, or invisible. That experience opened my eyes to how deeply the system was tilted against the very people who made it all possible.

The turning point came with a corporate client who had just brought in a new VP. From the start, his approach to the design team was dismissive and demeaning, a reflection of how often creatives are undervalued in corporate settings. Not long after renewing my contract, he offered me a full-time role that would have been a ten-year step backward. When I declined, my contract was cancelled the very next day. It was clear the decision was not about my contribution but about a culture that consistently disrespected and undervalued creatives, the very people keeping the business alive.

That moment could have knocked me down, but instead it became fuel. I rebuilt my business with a clear resolve: never again would my livelihood hinge on one client. Within a year, I had created a business that was not only more profitable, but also more resilient and aligned with my values. The best part was knowing I had built something sustainable on my own terms, something that not only honored the very creatives I had seen overlooked for far too long, but elevated them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kindlywoven.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindlywoven/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-adams-4454b18/
• Other: https://kindlywoven.myshopify.com/