I'm Raquel, the founder of Welcome Back. I realize I never introduced myself, so I'm here to tell you a little about myself and share the motivation behind this project.
Growing up with objects
Growing up in a crafty and handy family, I always felt a connection to materials and physical objects—a connection to the doing, to the solving, and to creating.
I remember building small furniture with my dad at my grandfather's workshop and helping him around the house with various tasks. And I loved that. I also remember sewing and embroidering clothes with my grandmother. From there, I started creating my own bags and accessories. As a kid, I made all kinds of artsy summer businesses at the beach house, and I soon realized I could live a creative life.
Why design made sense
While exploring my way into life, I understood that design was my mother language, the one that better translates my ideas. I love designing books, furniture, table settings, and space arrangements. I then decided to study graphic design and had a wonderful time doing it in a school that allows for materiality exploration.
The much-needed purpose
After 15 years of design work, I wondered if my graphic design work was all I could do to spread my values and creative vision. I then realized I could turn my long-time hobby of finding beautiful objects into something more. Thrifting gives me joy, and its circularity gives my heart a rest. It feels right and very aligned with who I am and what I love to do. It is a beautiful way of bringing myself together.
The ultimate goal
I want design shopping to be sustainable. By buying second-hand objects for our homes, we contribute to a better world and a more diverse design market.
I want design objects to be affordable. Second-hand objects that are still available as new will always be cheaper if you buy pre-loved ones.
I want design objects to last. Second-hand objects have passed the test of time and use, so you'll have good, lasting pieces in your home.
I want to change the way we consume objects. We live in a world of fast, cheap purchases we don't need. We over-consume and over-dispose. Objects are losing value every minute, and we must stop and appreciate the doing. If we carefully choose every object in our homes, they'll be more meaningful and bring us joy. We'll take better care of them and make them last, and hopefully, we'll pass them on to someone else when they no longer serve us.
I want to create a place where everyone can find beautiful second-hand objects and feel they're buying something like new—something that has been cared for, packed with love and respect, and ready for a new life.
May the objects on this planet live as many lives as possible.