Today we’d like to introduce you to Camila Paik.
Hi Camila, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi everyone! My name is Camila Paik and I am excited to share my story with you. One random night in October of 2020, I stumbled upon a YouTube video titled “Resin Coaster Tutorial”. I was so fascinated by this art that I went to Michael’s right away and purchased all the supplies. That night, I attempted to make my first ever coaster on my bedroom floor. The next morning, when I demolded the coaster, I was speechless. I instantly felt the need to share my art with others, so I sat down and gathered all the necessary information to start a small business. Two weeks later, on November 15th, Resin & Sun was born. It is unbelievable to say that 650+ of my handmade resin items are now under the hands of my amazing customers.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Overall, launching my online shop was a smooth and fun road. I made sure to watch plenty of YouTube videos before launching. Most importantly, I was doing it with the goal of sharing my art with others. However, I was not prepared for the unexpected growth that my business underwent. On February 2021, for instance, I received over 250 sales! I remember coming back home from my 9-5 job and working on Etsy orders until midnight. Forgetting to take care of myself, I was slowly burning out from exhaustion. From this, I learned that prioritizing my mental and physical health is key in order to keep my business going with the right mindset. I am thankful for the struggles because they shaped who I am today as a small business owner.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time data analyst at a pharmaceutical company located in La Jolla. Although I love my job, it is highly analytical and I felt the need to incorporate additional creative practices in my life. With that in mind, I launched Resin & Sun, an online shop that offers handmade resin keychains, coasters, bookmarks, and more! I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a Latinx/Asian ethnic background. When I moved to San Diego in 2016 to pursue my college degree, I had to adapt to a completely different culture by myself. This was the biggest change I have ever made in my life, but it made me realize how important it is to step out of my comfort zone in order to grow. Similarly, when I started experimenting with resin, I held the same mindset of living outside of my area of expertise. Months later, as resin art slowly transitions into my comfort zone, I feel the need to branch out and expand my business with tutorial videos, e-books, and more. I believe that this mentality of not clinging to a “default setting” is what sets me apart from others.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love how San Diego offers a variety of hiking trails, beaches, and restaurants. I noticed that the people here are very kind as well. Although the housing costs are relatively high compared to other cities, I personally find it worth staying in this beautiful city.
Contact Info:
- Email: resinandsun@gmail.com
- Website: resinandsun.etsy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/resinandsun/
- Facebook: facebook.com/resinandsun/
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