Tura Lura Co. Founder Story

Art has the power to create and sustain community. Two years ago, I formed Tura Lura Co. as a way to stay connected to the art community that I had lost by fostering a new one. After years of performing and teaching ballet and contemporary dance, it was an accidental step into entrepreneurship. From 2021 onward, the small, intentional steps forward focused on how to develop spaces, workshops, and products that could empower people through making art together.

Following the intense isolation of the early pandemic, I saw a call for artists posted on the Johnson County Public Health site, and I paused.

The project idea was so captivating - art for vaccine awareness. We were headed into the months of Delta and Omicron, and I knew I could contribute to the vaccine awareness in an approachable way. My handcrafted candles mixed with my career in education - it was meant to be! Read more in the Press-Citizen Newspaper Coverage.

After my small business journey began, I felt more comfortable with the idea of being a creative entrepreneur. I began selling at local markets, like the South District Diversity Market and Iowa City's Farmer Market. And as I was exposed to more community resources, I ended up applying to an entrepreneur program through Merge IC. I was searching for local resources to help makers and artists (like myself) make profits more effectively. Our community already values the arts; we value buying small and buying local. But there was a need to facilitate more business to business relationships with an arts focus. I was selected to participate in the Builders + Backers program, and it has been life changing. (Read more about my work with Builders + Backers here).

From getting involved in the business community, I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to join the Iowa City Area Business Partnership. The mentorship from other local women entrepreneurs has been phenomenal. Read about my first big retail pop up full of Local + Good items in downtown Iowa City during the holiday season, as well as partnering with Green House Iowa City to offer Candle Pour Bar classes. Then my first conversation via Podcast with Empower Her Co! My first two years in business was a lot of experimenting with how to create workshops that could people to hone their own skills alongside friends, relatives, neighbors, and others creators.

My strengths are as an educator and connector who uses art as my vocabulary for communication. It’s hard to be what you can’t see, so I’ve had to spend a lot of time envisioning the work I want to do and the impact I want to have on the arts in central Iowa. I continue to go after grants and opportunities to learn, and have put myself out there in sharing my vision and dream. Tura Lura Co. won “best pitch” in my first pitch competition at JPEC’s Innovation Challenge in late fall 2023. These funds allowed Tura Lura Co. to open a studio in downtown West Branch in February 2024.

The journey to open Tura Lura Co. is the culmination of years of long nights, discovering local materials, community organizing, and a passion for connecting people through art. Cheers to 2 years!

The seventh Friday four of 2024

Happy Friday! It’s just about one week until the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening in West Branch… Let’s get into the four highlights from Tura Lura Co. this week.

First - Save the date! I know I said this before, but the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting is at 11:30am on Saturday, February 24 and all are welcome! Following the brief ceremony we will welcome everyone in for cupcakes and to see the new space. We will be open until 4pm that day, so feel free to stop by and say hello whenever you can, browse the shelves, and learn more about upcoming workshops. Click here for the Facebook event for address and more details.

Second - This week we had a fabulous dried floral bar at Galentine’s Day, which was a women in business event hosted by Christa Payne (a local Country Insurance agent). It was incredible and uplifting to be surrounded by so many women entrepreneurs. I LOVED the energy and support - it is what we need more of. Thank you to the women who come together. It was beautiful to see friends new and old celebrating each other.

Third - This week I devoured a book, I re-read Big Magic. A friend had given it to me about 8 or 9 years ago, and had read it and tucked it away. I got a few little nudges from the universe to read it again, and I finally listened - it didn’t disappoint. The biggest takeaway is to not let fear get in the way of your creativity. This gentle reminder is what I needed as I embark on opening. Are you reading any good books lately? Send me your recommendations!

Fourth - I am so grateful for my support system. My sweet sister is with the boys tonight while Matt and I snuck away on a plane to see a friend get married. While there are so many things I could be doing at the studio tonight to get ready for next weekend, I am grateful we planned a little trip away. It’s hard for me to put down my goals and tasks, and I’m about to close my laptop and go jump in a pool. I hope you have something fun to look forward to this weekend too :)

Sending you love and light,

Erika

The sixth friday four of 2024

Happy Friday! How is it already the 6th Friday of the year? Let’s get into the four highlights from Tura Lura Co. this week.

First - The Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting information is finalized! We are hosting our ribbon cutting at 11:30am on Saturday, February 24 and everyone is welcome! Following the brief ceremony & picture we will welcome everyone in for cupcakes and to see the new space. We will be open until 4pm that day, so feel free to stop by and say hello, grab a cupcake, browse the shelves, and learn more about upcoming workshops. Click here for the Facebook event for address and more details.

Second - We had the sneak peak candle making class this week, and my heart is so full from hosting folks in the space. I have two weeks to keep building furniture and adding to the studio before opening the doors to you. At the Grand Opening I will share the full spring workshop list which will include the Dried Floral Bar workshops. But the folks who signed up for the Dried Floral Bar waitlist will get the information first, by email. If you are interested in getting first access to the workshops, make sure to sign up here.

Third - I have been having so much fun making dried floral bouquets in various shapes and sizes. And it’s super fun to use unique vases and antique vessels. I have gone digging in my basement, thrifting to find some, and wanted to put a call out to you all. Do you have any old pottery, bud vases, or other containers that you are no longer using that you want to donate? I want to start a little free library of beautiful free containers, so we can be more sustainable and affordable for people who want to create. If you have some things you want to donate and gift to another human, send me an email!

Fourth - This week there was another fun drop online, meaning there are new products in the online shop! I added a few of my favorite creative art books and kits. Interested in browsing the new items? Check out the online shop. There is free local pick up/drop off and free shipping over $99.

Sending you love and light,

Erika