We had the good fortune of connecting with Nichole Whelan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichole, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do something that scares you every day,” I think it’s important to step out of your comfort zone semi-regularly! When making a stressful decision, I often ask myself, “what is the risk of not doing it?” We often think about risk as it relates to failure, but rarely do we think about the risk of missing a great opportunity or experience that will enrich our lives.

Before CQC LA, I worked in Product at a fast-paced tech startup (which later became a unicorn). It was a master class on handling big decisions, often multiple times a day! Software development is expensive, so we’d build an “MVP,” a very basic prototype, and roll it out to a small group of users to validate (or invalidate) the concept. This mindset of “start small, and prove it” has stuck with me.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am incredibly proud that CQC LA is helping to preserve block printing – an ancient Indian art form of immeasurable cultural value. Block printing is steadily being replaced by machine printing which is faster, less expensive, and easier to scale. By supporting this centuries-old trade, we continue a legacy that has been passed down from one generation to the next. It’s truly inspiring and something worth celebrating!

The combination of traditional block printing and modern design is what gives our textiles their unique look. We work closely with artisans to bring their talents and techniques into the 21st century – each item is a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation.

As part of our One Quilt. One Child. One Life. initiative we are committed to feeding a child in India for one month for every quilt sold. Being able to give back to India– a place that has created so much beauty in my life- is truly an honor.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love driving the canyons in Los Angeles– it puts me into a very creative mindset. I always take friends up the coast on PCH to Malibu and wind our way back to Topanga through quiet mountain roads. If they’re hikers, the Mishe Mokwa trail in Malibu would be on my list, with a stop at SunLife Organics on the way back. Sunset Blvd from PCH to Hollywood is another great drive. The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and the Getty Museum are along the way. For dinner, Spago Beverly Hills is such an institution and a great people-watching spot.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m incredibly grateful for my husband Guru’s ongoing support! In many ways, CQC LA is a part of our own personal story and would not be possible without him. I discovered and fell in love with block printing over a decade ago on a trip to visit his family in New Delhi, India. Guru is a serial entrepreneur, so he was very supportive and helped demystify the logistics of starting a business. Beyond his invaluable business insight, he is an inexhaustible source of encouragement!

Website: www.cqc.la

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