Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Archila. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Emily, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding purpose is something that I continue to work towards every day. Designing and creating are some of my favorite things to do. The sense of fulfillment I experience from creating a product that empowers amazing people to do amazing things is purpose in and of itself.
I have been in love with shoes, shoe design and contemporary fashion for many years; working as a professional designer for twenty years. The architectural challenge that comes with designing a comfortable and empowering shoe that also is aesthetically pleasing has always been a passion of mine. When I launched Della Terra during a global pandemic, I wanted to make sure I was a creating something that did not already exist: fashion footwear that was vegan and eco-conscious. I had been told throughout my career that sustainability was something that could not coexist within a healthy fashion footwear business, and for too long I believed that was true.
Della Terra has been 100% vegan using sustainable materials since its launch and now it is impossible to image the brand without its own intrinsic purpose to marry fashion and sustainability. We are a certified B Corporation. My purpose is to continue to grow the brand, as well as continue to evolve as a designer and CEO.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Della Terra is a women-led, vegan, sustainable, ethical fashion footwear brand focused on creating real shoes for real people. Della Terra offers a fresh-take on what is missing from your closet, without asking you to compromise style, comfort or your values.
At the beginning, I thought it was impossible. After designing shoes for other brands for 16 years, I thought it was too big of a task to launch a line, and impossible to create a successful fashion brand that also took into account sustainability and inclusivity alongside fashion and comfort. Although I loved designing shoes for fashion brands, I couldn’t help but feel I was contributing to an industry that was all about asking my busy, impressive customer to compromise their productive lives to accommodate fashion.
While I was recovering from Covid-19 in 2020, I began to fantasize about what was missing from my own closet and I suddenly could articulate it, not just as a need of my own, but in something that was genuinely missing from the marketplace. I began sketching those very shoes, and Della Terra was born.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Perseverance Founding a start-up is not for the faint of heart. It is a lot of work and thoroughly not glamorous. Especially at the beginning it is important to continue the journey even when things are challenging. With this perseverance it is necessary to stay focused on your goals.
Study Hard
Learning every single day is imperative when starting a business or improving any set of skills. The more experience I have, the more questions I ask. I reach out to experts in every part of my business to learn more every day and grow my own skillset as well as my network.
Love for what you do
Passion for what your business represents and what its purpose is resonates with your customer as well as being a driving motivator to create the best possible product. Remind yourself why you are doing what you do and make sure to check in with yourself if those reasons evolve.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Although my parents never understood my particular career path, they were always supportive of it and showed me great examples of what it means to be passionate about what you do.
My parents showed me two very different examples of being passionate about their careers and working hard. My mother is an accomplished lyricist and novelist, who works tirelessly at her creative pursuits. My father is a history professor who honed his area of expertise and continues to learns and grows more in his field every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dellaterrashoes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dellaterrashoes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dellaterrashoes
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/della-terra-shoes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSypd-uyO65_fsnbQDTVYQ
Image Credits
Boots: Elyse Pono Sandals: Veronica Girotti
