Meet Catalina Marin, a Chilean-American who found her calling when she was unexpectedly transplanted from Santiago to Sonoma. Thousands of miles away from home, she saw the opportunity to leverage her marketing background, creative flair, and love for a remote archipelago in the south of Chile, Chiloé, which she visited as a child. Known for its rich weaving tradition dating back to colonial times, she was inspired to found Treko in 2016 to bring traditional exquisite wool pieces into American homes, with a stylish, contemporary design. Presently she works with over dozens of craftswomen to make everything from pillows to blankets, throws, and duvets. Above all, Catalina profoundly believes in the power of the human touch, of bringing into meaning through intentional decor and pieces, preserving the traditions and providing a livelihood for these artisan weavers, and bringing this beautiful part of the world into the home.
In this episode we talk about:
• The beginnings of Treko and how Catalina was inspired to start this project from 5,000 miles away in California
• Chiloé as travel destination and its cultural intrigue
• The unique craftsmanship and weaving style of Chile from the Chilota sheep to natural dyes used
• How she trained the islanders to try her contemporary designs using traditional technique and the challenges she faced
• Why she decided on the B2B business model over DTC
• What intentional design is and how our homes should be an expression of our lives and fill us with few yet meaningful pieces
• Treko’s impact on the island and commitment to preserving traditions and livelihoods
• Why Treko wool is stain proof from almost any liquid, including coffee and red wine!
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