Introducing Laureen Coutinho of Decor Del Mar
Bringing you home decor inspired by the Mediterranean
Tell us what you do? And how you came about your side hustle(s)?
I’m a loyalty and partnerships thought leader with a focus on driving profitable business growth through digital marketing. I have a passion for creating unforgettable moments and my creativity is what drives that passion forward. I also love to travel off the beaten path and discover unique cultures and traditions, particularly in the Mediterranean where there is a wealth of colour, warmth, and inspiration everywhere you look. I’ve been drawn to reflect those experiences in my home – I always pick up something unique from each place I visit and prop it up somewhere in my home to remind me of our beautiful world.
After my husband and I bought our first property at age 24, I quickly realized that there was a gap in the market for young professionals who wanted to buy products from a Canadian brand that supported local artists and sustainability initiatives, while also being affordable. This is what sparked my initial interest for developing my own home décor brand that would cater to this need.
Once I completed my MBA studies at the Schulich School of Business in 2020, I had gained a unique set of skills that allowed me to marry my personal interests and experience to bring parts of the world I’m most inspired by into the home. Our home is our sanctuary, our safe space, our inspiration. My goal is to make this available to Canadians in way that is available locally and sustainable, and so décor del mar was born in October 2020.
After my husband and I bought our first property at age 24, I quickly realized that there was a gap in the market for young professionals who wanted to buy products from a Canadian brand that supported local artists and sustainability initiatives, while also being affordable. This is what sparked my initial interest for developing my own home décor brand that would cater to this need.
Once I completed my MBA studies at the Schulich School of Business in 2020, I had gained a unique set of skills that allowed me to marry my personal interests and experience to bring parts of the world I’m most inspired by into the home. Our home is our sanctuary, our safe space, our inspiration. My goal is to make this available to Canadians in way that is available locally and sustainable, and so décor del mar was born in October 2020.
What about your work brings you true joy?
I love working with local artists and craftspeople to make people feel inspired within their own home. This sustainable approach is what brings me most joy – it is truly so rewarding to create a marketplace for skilled, local artisans who share this passion.
What has been your most valuable learnings?
Fear of failure is what stops us from doing great things. Through my career, studies, and personal life I have learned that trial and error translate to lessons, not failure – a core principle I live by.
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If you could learn to do anything, what would that be? Right now, I’m most interested in learning how to hand-craft my own pottery. This is a skill I’ve always been drawn to and inspired by because it takes so much patience, and a clear vision, and space for it of course (I know I’d make a huge mess!). If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why? I am a huge Game of Thrones fan, and love Arya Stark. From a young girl who rejected social expectations of her role in society, she paved her own path. She took risks, learned life-altering skills, and learned from every lesson she experienced – she demonstrated such independence and strength. By the end of the show (no spoilers) grew into a fearless leader. |
Can you describe an experience/incident that happened that made you a stronger person?
When I was 16, my scouts group embarked on a 32 km hike with our belongings on our back. Although I was an active kid, it was a physically and mentally exhausting journey that I was definitely not prepared for. Over the course of the 12 hours, I felt a range of emotions – excitement, fatigue, frustration. At some points, I was even questioning the “why”. I had to do a lot of self-talk to encourage myself to keep going, find my inner fighter, and push through the pain. I learned such valuable life skills during that hike – 1) you’re stronger than you think, 2) your mindset affects everything, and 3) don’t let your team down.
Once I started telling myself these things, I found joy and pride in finishing this hike and making it all the way to the end that I completely forgot how many blisters I could feel in my shoe. I recall at some points we’d help each other by carrying someone’s bag who needed help along the way and doubling the weight we were carrying. This is symbolic of so many other life experiences I had not yet had at that point.
13 years later, we are all still so connected by this unique experience and I’m so grateful that we all did it together.
If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?
Live in the moment, and don’t be so worried about the future – you will figure out what to do when you need to. Experience life as it comes your way and take in everything because (warning: cliché up ahead) it really does go by fast!
When I was 16, my scouts group embarked on a 32 km hike with our belongings on our back. Although I was an active kid, it was a physically and mentally exhausting journey that I was definitely not prepared for. Over the course of the 12 hours, I felt a range of emotions – excitement, fatigue, frustration. At some points, I was even questioning the “why”. I had to do a lot of self-talk to encourage myself to keep going, find my inner fighter, and push through the pain. I learned such valuable life skills during that hike – 1) you’re stronger than you think, 2) your mindset affects everything, and 3) don’t let your team down.
Once I started telling myself these things, I found joy and pride in finishing this hike and making it all the way to the end that I completely forgot how many blisters I could feel in my shoe. I recall at some points we’d help each other by carrying someone’s bag who needed help along the way and doubling the weight we were carrying. This is symbolic of so many other life experiences I had not yet had at that point.
13 years later, we are all still so connected by this unique experience and I’m so grateful that we all did it together.
If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?
Live in the moment, and don’t be so worried about the future – you will figure out what to do when you need to. Experience life as it comes your way and take in everything because (warning: cliché up ahead) it really does go by fast!