Clarissa SteurerWithhand, heart and cork
Innovative design, sustainable materials and entrepreneurial courage. At CLARISSAKORK, creative visions merge with economic foresight. Clarissa Steurer shows how a spontaneous idea can give rise to a company that combines craftsmanship, digitalization and social responsibility.
How curiosity turned into a brand that rethinks sustainability and design
Sometimes it all starts with a coincidence. For Clarissa, it was a TV report about vegan leather that set her creative journey in motion. At the time, she was still employed, but the desire for something of her own that combined creativity, design and sustainability grew stronger and stronger. An initial business idea was already in the works, but her spontaneous curiosity about cork as a material wouldn’t let her go.
“After intensive research, it was clear that cork is much more than just a pinboard and wine cork. It is a fascinating natural material – sustainably sourced, exceptional in look and feel, hard-wearing, easy to care for and elegant at the same time.”
The idea of producing embroidered carpets from this material became the starting point for CLARISSAKORK and the basis for a company that is now known far beyond the borders of the Bregenzerwald.
From cellar to factory
What seems like a smooth build-up today was actually an intensive process with many setbacks, doubts and courageous decisions. One of them: production, which originally took place in Germany, was literally brought in-house. In 2019, Clarissa set up a small factory in the basement of her family home. From then on, the cork leather rugs were made there – custom-made, embroidered, printed or plain. Over time, the company grew and the one-woman show became a limited company with three managing directors in 2021. Clarissa is responsible for design, development and marketing, Markus Kilga takes care of web development and digitalization and Edwin Steurer is in charge of production. Clarissa and her team, which combines craftsmanship and innovation, have been working a four-day week in a newly built factory in the Bregenzerwald for a good two years.
Creativity meets entrepreneurship
At CLARISSAKORK, creative processes and entrepreneurial thinking go hand in hand. Decisions are often made intuitively, but always with a clear goal: quality, sustainability and independence.
“A bit of chaos is part of it – good things rarely come from perfection.”
What was initially improvised – a mixture of passion, gut feeling and a good dose of chaos – has become professionalized over the years. The division of tasks within the management team provides structure without stifling the creative core. Clarissa is still involved in all key decisions and helps shape every detail. The brand remains true to itself, even as it grows. Authenticity is not a trend, but an attitude. This is also reflected in its social commitment. CLARISSAKORK is currently donating €5 for every order placed between November 5 and 16 to Fabian and his family, who need support after a tragic accident.
Craft, design and attitude
CLARISSAKORK stands for the combination of traditional craftsmanship, timeless design and an innovative approach to natural materials. The material cork comes from sustainable forestry in Portugal, where the cork oak regularly renews its bark. Over 100 interior products are made from it in the factory in Austria: from placemats and yoga mats to changing mats. A milestone was the introduction of the rug configurator in 2020, which allows customers to design their own individual, made-to-measure rug online. This digital solution was awarded the Innovation Prize of the State of Vorarlberg in 2021. The multiple design awards, including the German Design Award and the PETA Vegan Award, also confirm the innovative approach.
Our conclusion
Clarissa’s path impressively shows how a spontaneous idea can develop into a sustainable company – with creativity, courage and a clear set of values. She proves that entrepreneurial thinking and creative energy are not mutually exclusive, but can inspire each other. The development from a one-woman show to a multi-award-winning design brand is not only a success story, but also an invitation to other creative people to go their own way.
If you work with your heart, you can also trust your gut feeling. And if you are prepared to jump in at the deep end, you can create structures in which ideas can grow and survive. CLARISSAKORK stands for precisely this attitude and for products that are not only beautiful, but also sensible and sustainable. A company that shows: Good things rarely come from perfection, but always from genuine passion.
More about CLARISSAKORK:
🌐 https://clarissakork.com (Opens in a new tab or window)
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