We were lucky to catch up with Antonia Campanella & Nate Cotterman Campanella & Cotterman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Antonia Campanella & Nate Cotterman , thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
My parents always worked for themselves as my parents. My father had a home improvement business and then my mother opened a mortgage company. I always saw them working together, navigating business & family. It wasn’t that they made it “look easy” but they showed me how you can build your own life that suits you and your family. The husband and the wife were equals- having the same significance in the work place and they still dedicated time to being present at home, home cooked meals, meals as a family.
Antonia Campanella & Nate Cotterman , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
O L R A C R E A T I V E is Antonia Campanella. ( O L – R A is my son A R- L O’s name backwards!) Antonia is a maker, mother & Marketing Director for Nate Cotterman Glass. She brings over 10 years experience in consulting & sales for successful small creative businesses. Her experience also involves making, receiving a BFA in Ceramics from The Cleveland Institute of Art. She is a conduit of creative people & advocate for the handmade. If you are a current or aspiring creative business, reach out to see how OLRA CREATIVE can help you articulate your unique place in the market.
O L R A C R E A T IV E works with some of today’s top artists, design firms, restaurants and photographers. If we can’t help you, we can source the best person, product or skillset. OLRA CREATIVE is an ever- evolving endeavor, which looks to include the best people and products the world has to offer. OLRA CREATIVE looks to emphasize quality & authenticity
Have you ever had to pivot?
My creative umbrella, OLRA Creative, was born out of a “pivot” . I had a 1 year old, and we had recently moved (my husband Nate, and Arlo) to North Carolina for an Artist Residency at Penland School of Craft. I did not have a studio space or time to put into my ceramic work, but I knew my creativity extended outside of the studio. So I formalized the other ways I could partner with creatives and assist other working artists to better their business practices. This pivot has given me the comfort in knowing that if I’m not creating out of clay I can still create, connect and advocate for the handmade.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Our clients are so loyal. I only recently discovered how rare it is for the majority of makers to have longtime repeat customers. We maintain loyalty by continuing to deliver quality, beautiful, timeless pieces that speak for themselves. The communication with each of our clients is also significant, I am timely to respond, and set lead times that are attainable. I work closely with individual clients, be it stores, designers or individuals, to ensure they are ordering a cohesive collection, offering customizations, sending images, taking phone calls etc. I send email communications of thanks and genuine appreciation for their support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.olracreative.com
- Instagram: olra_creative
- Other: www.natecotterman.com
Image Credits
Myself