Start Where You Are
Start Where You Are - Building a Creative Life from Scratch (Again)
There are seasons in life when starting feels impossible.
The pressure to get it right - the plan, the timing, the brand identity - can freeze even the most creative among us. Especially when time is limited, resources are stretched, and belief in ourselves has worn thin.
But sometimes, the only way to move forward is simply… to begin.
Uri wasn’t born from a perfect plan. It began on a kitchen table, in between naptimes, built by a mother with a promise to provide. It grew from there - each product crafted with care, rooted in sustainability, hand-to-hand connections, and a fierce determination to do things differently.
Every part of the business - from sewing linings to building spreadsheets - was done solo. Uri partnered with single mothers and small studios in the Philippines, creating a traceable supply chain that honoured the indigenous and maternal lines in the founder’s heritage. The designs travelled globally. The orders flowed in. It worked — until it didn’t.
As costs climbed and wholesale margins crumbled, Uri became a business that looked successful on the outside but left the bank account gasping. Fuel charges tripled. Shipping timelines stretched. Profits disappeared. There were days it felt like starting had been a mistake.
But the truth is, starting was never the problem.
The model needed to evolve. And so it did.
Uri is now rebuilding. Quietly. Carefully. With lessons carried forward and systems put in place to hold the chaos. The work is still creative. Still made with hands and intention. But now, it’s designed with space for real life: for raising a child, for staying sane, for helping others do the same.
This next chapter is about sharing what’s helped:
- Systems that reduce overwhelm and get things done
- Digital patterns and slow-made downloads
- Toolkits for small makers building sustainable brands
- Consulting for creatives trying to start (or start over)
There is no magic formula - just proof that you can begin, even imperfectly, and still build something meaningful.
If you’re a creative feeling lost, anxious, or stretched - this space is for you.
No 10k months. No false promises. Just honest, grounded tools and stories from someone still walking the road beside you.
Start where you are. It’s more than enough.
Warmest wishes,
Charly x