Meet Rudy Larson

We recently connected with Rudy Larson and have shared our conversation below.

Rudy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

It’s all about choosing to do something that inspires you and then finding like-minded people that are interested in the same thing- finding your audience. When I started naturally dyeing, there weren’t many others in my craft who were showcasing their art on social media. It definitely felt like I hit a very specific niche and that got me really excited. I was doing something different that a lot of people hadn’t seen or even heard of before and I really leaned into that. Luckily, I got a great reaction and people were intrigued with what I was doing. Once I noticed that, I took a leap and put everything I had into starting my business and I think my success has blossomed because of it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I grew up in a small beach town in Southern California and moved to Northern California about ten years ago. My parents—both artists and musicians—immersed me in a world filled with creativity, music, and culture from a young age. That upbringing played a major role in shaping my natural path toward a career centered around art and creativity.

I first began experimenting with natural dyes eight years ago, and I was immediately captivated by the intricate process of extracting vibrant colors from elements found in nature. Each step is slow, intentional, and requires a great deal of patience—but the reward is a stunning final result that feels almost magical.

As I became more familiar with dyeing, I wanted to take my craft to the next level by exploring Shibori, a traditional Japanese resist-dyeing technique that creates beautiful, organic patterns on fabric. Being a quarter Japanese myself, it was especially meaningful to connect with an art form rooted in my own heritage.

The environmental aspect of my work is also something I care deeply about. I use only natural ingredients—no harsh chemicals—and aim to produce as little waste as possible. Through my work, I hope to contribute to and highlight the “slow fashion movement,” which embraces a more sustainable, thoughtful approach to fashion and home decor.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Tenacity, patience, and business savvy have been the three cornerstones of my journey as a small business owner. Tenacity kept me going during the times when things felt uncertain—when sales were slow, when I questioned my path, or when I had to learn new skills entirely on my own. It gave me the grit to keep showing up and pushing forward, even when the results weren’t immediate.

Patience has been equally vital. So much of what I do—especially working with natural dyes and handcrafted techniques—requires time, care, and a willingness to embrace slow processes. That same patience has been essential in business: growth doesn’t happen overnight, and building something meaningful takes time.

And finally, business savvy has helped me translate my creativity into something sustainable. Learning how to price my work, market authentically, manage finances, and connect with my audience has been just as important as the art itself. Balancing the artistic and entrepreneurial sides of my work is a constant learning curve, but it’s one that has empowered me to build something that feels both purposeful and resilient.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m definitely open to collaborating with other artists or like-minded partners. I’d love to work with a company or individual who shares similar values—especially when it comes to showcasing art, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Collaboration can be such a powerful way to blend ideas and reach new audiences, and I truly believe it’s an important step in expanding my small business. Partnering with others who are equally passionate about creativity and conscious practices feels like a natural and exciting evolution of my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://delaterratextiles.com
• Instagram: @delaterra_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delaterratextiles