· 02/20/2013
Sonja Rasula of UNIQUE USA
Always looking to buy American made products but growing tired of checking labels? UNIQUE USA should become your one stop shop for all things “Made in America.” Launched in 2008 by Sonja Rasula, the concept began as a two day Los Angeles shopping show; it featured a variety of independent businesses and designers displaying wares including clothing, home goods and speciality foods.
Hosted three times per year in Los Angeles, the show now attracts up to 20,000 attendees. Over the course of the six days that the events are held in a year, nearly five million dollars is spent, supporting the local economy and drawing attention to a variety of upcoming brands.
Since launching in Los Angeles, UNIQUE has expanded to New York and San Francisco. As UNIQUE USA, Sonja hopes to tap into upcoming creative communities in other US cities and is always on the lookout for emerging designers!
Sonja’s passion for the UNIQUE concept is infectious and she’ll soon be passing it along to creative thinkers with her latest project, CAMP. When explaining the three night trip to someone, Sonja begins by asking, “have you ever been to camp?” If not, let’s just say it’s a great time. It’s sort of like hula hooping—you’re having so much fun that you don’t realize you’re gaining coordination and exercising in the process.
During the Big Bear getaway this summer, attendees will pick up new skills and knowledge without sitting at a desk and wondering what time their day wrap up. The weekend is designed for folks with entrepreneurial and creative minds, and will challenge them to expand their business knowledge, be innovative and also push their physical limits (think high level ropes course).
“It’s for movers and shakers who have decided to do their own thing,” Sonja says of CAMP. It sounds like it’s right up our alley!
Sonja is wearing the Sloan in Rum Cherry.
Photos by Collin Hughes