Soulty Tribe Threads is home to an artisanal selection of ethically produced, beautifully crafted, unique home textiles, kids’ custom bedding, nursery linens and decor. They want to inspire you to create unique spaces in your home that reflect you and your loved ones. Their gorgeous, bespoke nursery linen and decor collections are guaranteed to create the dreamiest, most unique spaces for your precious little ones. Here, founder Rebecca Dakers-Carroll talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Soulty Tribe Threads, how she balances work and family life, the pros and cons of running her own business, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My entrepreneurship journey is deeply rooted in a childhood steeped in creativity, where my mother’s skilled craftsmanship as a seamstress was a daily presence. From a young age, I was surrounded by various crafts, fostering a love for aesthetics and textiles. My mother handmade the soft furnishings for all my children – curtains, bedding, and décor. Each child’s nursery theme was unique, designed with thought and handcrafted with love. Together, we created unforgettable spaces where beautiful memories were made.
Though my professional life initially led me down a different path, a resurgence of my passion for textiles and interiors reignited my creative spark. Following this calling, I immersed myself in studies and worked within the interior design industry. A pivotal moment during the challenges of the pandemic led me back to my roots. Investing in a Juki industrial sewing machine, I embarked on a journey that culminated in discovering my true calling of designing and creating soft furnishings with a focus on baby nurseries and children’s rooms. I had finally found my happy place. The quote “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” by Mark Twain couldn’t be truer for me.
However, the real inspiration behind my business emerged gradually: my mother, Gail. She remains my greatest mentor, teacher, and critic. Reflecting on her talent and the missed opportunity to learn from her earlier in life, I realised the depth of her influence and the potential I had overlooked. My venture is not just about business; it’s a tribute to her, turning our cherished family traditions into a heartfelt entrepreneurial journey.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
At the outset, my journey was about embracing learning and exploration. I immersed myself in the craft of designing and sewing soft furnishings, refining my skills, and embracing new techniques. Alongside this, I underwent an intensive three-week program tailored to empower small businesses, which helped clarify the foundations on which I was to build my brand:
- Value Proposition: Soulty Tribe Threads is home to an artisanal selection of ethically produced, beautifully crafted, unique home textiles, kids’ custom bedding, nursery linens, and décor. Our heart is to inspire you to create unique spaces in your home that reflect you and your loved ones. We offer one-off, limited-edition, made-to-order, and custom-made pieces and collections.
- Core Values: Transparency, quality materials and craftsmanship, personal service, sustainability, and uniqueness are at the heart of what we do.
- Ethos: We embrace the ethos of the slow fashion movement with its promise to provide original, unique, premium products which will last for many years to come.
- Australian Made: Our commitment lies in supporting local artists and small businesses as our suppliers and exclusively offering products manufactured or handcrafted in Australia.
- Giving Back: We contribute towards child rescue efforts with Destiny Rescue and support Lily House, which provides women in crisis with a loving, safe environment, empowering them to be great mothers.
Driven by a passion for beautiful nursery spaces, influenced by my love for interiors and textile art, I began designing bespoke, heirloom-quality pieces and collections for children. Inspired by memories of my mother’s creations for my own children, I sought to infuse each piece with a sense of individuality, uniqueness, and timelessness.
Drawing from the coastal environment where we are located and this venture being so close to my heart, combining “salty” with “soul,” the name Soulty Tribe Threads was coined. Developing my logo and website proved to be an incredibly time-consuming challenge, but following our Chapter One photoshoot, I proudly launched my website in April 2022.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My journey in establishing this business has been unexpectedly challenging, testing my resolve, and at times, incredibly disheartening. While it has offered so much joy and fulfillment, there have been periods when the obstacles seemed too overwhelming. My passion for what I do, coupled with the unwavering support from my husband, has kept me from giving up. I believe our greatest breakthrough is yet to come, and I am so excited for what the future holds.
Even in the midst of these struggles, we’ve already achieved a breakthrough by offering a unique product and service tailored to a specific niche. As highlighted on our website, “We are a bespoke service for those with discerning taste, who celebrate craftsmanship and quality, and who have exacting standards”. Our bespoke baby nursery linen and décor collections stand as testaments to this ethos, simplifying the daunting task of nursery design while creating enchanting, one-of-a-kind spaces for precious little ones.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
My four children are like the pedestrian crossings of my life. I must stop for them. There is no choice. They have always come first, so finding some sort of balance is an ongoing personal challenge for me. At what age do you get to put yourself first? It is an inner battle, no doubt, for all mums-instinctual. Other than my stepson, my children are all adults. Theoretically, that should offer the relief to focus most of my time on my business. The reality is that after a very short period of being an ’empty nester’ (yes, my husband and I loved it), one came home, then the next, then one left, and funny enough, we had four of our kids here last night. They are my biggest distraction, but they always win when it comes to my attention.
Our house is small and shares its space with my boutique workroom. My primary challenge is work life blending, even overlapping, with home life. A few ways I try to ensure what you may call balance are:
- Disciplining myself to block out time: This allows me to immerse myself in projects. Once I am in what I call my ‘creative flow’, there is no stopping me.
- Using my diary daily: Planning and prioritising to-do lists of what needs to be accomplished helps me stay on track.
- Creating a clean and organised workspace: This does wonders for my focus and mental preparedness.
- Getting myself ready for work: This helps me be physically present, put on my business hat, take on the day’s project, and be prepared for creating content.
