Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matel Rokke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Matel, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Armed with a Masters in Fine Arts I opened a boutique in 2007. It was a risk, a big one for sure but I was ready to take it on. I wasn’t completely green as I had worked in other small businesses in the community for years but looking back I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and I may not even now. After receiving my degree in 2004 I moved back to Nebraska with no clue what was next. I had always wanted to teach but after being away for so many years I was happy to be back in a space that felt like home. I wasn’t quite ready to put my resume out to move to another strange place in a continued struggle in academia. After a few years teaching adjunct and working odd jobs my sister and I had an idea, a completely crazy idea, lets open a boutique.
Three years later we opened the doors to Tsuru in downtown Lincoln Nebraska. We jumped in with absolutely no clue what we were doing but knowing we wanted to add something new to the community around us. A recession, a pandemic, and one location change later we are still here doing what we love in 2023.
Opening a business is a huge risk. Financially it can very easily drag you into debt that can be tough to get out of. Emotionally you put everything you have into the place. Being your own boss may seem like a wonderful way to do things but it doesn’t take long to realize you have no paid vacations, sick leave, 401K, health insurance and more. You are literally tied to your business 24/7. While that is a struggle for sure I think this is where my MFA paid off. Being an artist has a similar risk. You have to jump in and go for it and create the pieces. It is always on your mind as you search for inspiration everywhere.
I try to think of life as being the risks you take rather than the regrets about the ones you don’t. When you have an idea or desire to try something, do it. If you don’t make it happen it never will. Think about all of the things we could have missed in the world if everyone decided not to take the risk. As I continue to run a business, adjunct, pursue my art, and raise a family I take risks every single day and I am going to continue to do it. If I never did take that picture or support another creative at the shop it would never exist. Take the chance. Even when you fail it will be worth it.

Matel, 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?

As a business owner and an artist I tend to wear a lot of different hats. My shop Tsuru was opened in 2007 and as a small business I work on curating the store, marketing, merchandising, bookkeeping, sales, managing and more. As an artist and photography instructor I am always finding inspiration in life and creating work in many different mediums. Tsuru is a space I love to be in. We are always looking to find independent brands and eco friendly options to bring into the space to not only support other makers but also to try to think about how we buy things in the world. We like to provide a space full of things you can be proud to wear for many years to come. We are now online as well at www.tsurushop.com so you can purchase from home.
As an artist I use photography as my medium. I have always enjoyed the many ways you can create image not only digitally but also with analogue photography. I utilize historical processes such as cyanotypes and other mixed mediums as well. Photography is such a diverse medium to create with.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Surviving a pandemic as a small business was a daunting task. It was a make it or break it moment for sure. The hustle began as soon as the shut down began. We worked on utilizing social media as a way to reach our customers and allow them to shop from home with free local delivery. We also revamped our website to include as many of our offerings as possible. Being shut down to the public did not mean we weren’t working, it meant we were working harder than ever to ensure our survival. We learned so much during this time. The commitment and bonds in our community were solidified in a way I wouldn’t have imagined. We were all trying so hard to make sure the other survived with us so that we could come out stronger in the end and I believe we did. The call to shop local and shop small was amazing. We learned so much during this time and are so thankful for the amazing support.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is when your work really strikes someone in an interesting way. I create work that is personal in nature deriving from memory and family. It does tend to be ambiguous allowing for others to take what they will from it. When I am approached by someone that enjoyed the work I am always amazed. To hear what they get from an image that I spent so much time with is rewarding like nothing else.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tsurushop.com www.matelrokke.com
• Instagram: @tsurushop @matelrokkephotography