Hemp, Heritage, and Heart: Klara Nyari’s Creative Journey

Host (Bret Schanzenbach):
Welcome to Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, an essential podcast for those who live, work, visit, and play in Carlsbad. I’m Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and your host today. I’m pleased to have with me Klara Nyari, CEO of TradeMarker International. Good morning, Klara.
Guest (Klara Nyari):
Good morning. Thank you for having me.
Host:
It’s great to have you. To start, English was not your first language. Hungarian was. Tell us about your upbringing and background.
Guest:
That’s correct. I’m Hungarian. I was born in the southeast part of Hungary, close to the university town of Szeged. That’s where my husband Peter and I are from. I came to the United States in 1992. Peter was already here, and we joined each other here.
We met probably some 50 years ago, so we’ve had a long relationship. Even our grandparents were friends. We brought our heritage, culture, and love of the arts with us. I went to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, and that helped launch us into arts, culture, and design.
Host:
That’s wonderful. So early in your career, you were focused on footwear. Tell us about that part of your journey.
Guest:
Yes. In my second year at FIDM, I got a shoe design job in Beverly Hills, and I fell in love with shoes. I also loved the travel opportunity. I traveled to many different countries to build products, and learning about cultures was very exciting.
Later, I landed a job in Santa Barbara with Global Brand Marketing and became the senior designer for XOXO footwear. Around that time, Peter was already working on what is now Trademark International Hemptique. In 2006, I joined him, and we combined our talents as entrepreneurs to grow the business.
Host:
Very cool. Let’s unpack Hemptique. What is it?
Guest:
Hemptique was born in the 1990s with a European vision. We fell in love with natural fibers before eco-conscious products were really a trend.
There was demand from designers, especially artisan designers, for hemp twine, cord, and rope. Many were creating jewelry for marketplaces, retailers, and the DIY community. Peter saw that need and started serving those designers.
When I joined, we expanded the product line into many forms: balls, spools, threads, ropes for macramé designers, fabrics, linen and hemp textiles, tablecloths, napkins, hand-embroidered pieces, curtains, and more.
Today, our line includes around 700 SKUs. We still serve arts and crafts, but we’ve also expanded into commercial and industrial uses, including aquaculture, meatpacking, and other industries.
Host:
So you have both finished products and raw materials for people to make their own products.
Guest:
Yes, exactly. We have accessories like backpacks, belts, dog toys, dog leashes, friendship bracelets, and more. Everything is made from natural super fibers that biodegrade and are friendlier to the environment.
Artisans also buy our materials to make their own items, sell on Etsy, or use in brick-and-mortar stores.
Host:
Sustainability is important to the Chamber and to Carlsbad. Why was that so important to you from the beginning?
Guest:
It was important because that’s how we grew up. We grew up around natural fibers, not plastic. Over time, so many things became commercialized and made from nylon, cotton, or synthetic materials that are not always as friendly to the environment.
I have a special story. Years ago, my godfather gave me a small towel that had been handwoven from 100% industrial hemp fiber. It was part of my grandmother’s dowry from the early 1900s. Back then, when a girl got married, she received sheets, kerchiefs, tablecloths, and other items.
That towel represented our roots, heritage, culture, beauty, and craftsmanship. Those values still drive us today. I feel there is a green wave coming back, and we are in the right place at the right time.
Host:
You were also drawn to Carlsbad.
Guest:
Yes. When we moved down from Santa Barbara, we used to visit friends in San Diego and always stopped in Carlsbad. It had a European charm and such natural beauty. That’s one of the reasons we decided to live here.
Host:
You’ve also been very involved in the community. Tell us about your work with Rady Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish, and other organizations.
Guest:
We’ve always been active in supporting various causes. About 15 years ago, we brought papier-mâché collections made from corn fiber to Rady Children’s Hospital. Children who were cancer patients painted them in the courtyard. It was very emotional to see the positive impact of our products.
That inspired us to continue supporting causes like Make-A-Wish Foundation and Help Heal Veterans.
Host:
Tell us more about Help Heal Veterans.
Guest:
Peter built a close relationship with the organization early on. At first, he donated craft supplies because we had overstock. Then we visited and learned more about what they were doing.
They distribute millions of craft kits each year to veterans, including those suffering from PTSD. That showed us the positive mental health benefits of crafting. Now we’re working on crochet kits and other items because crocheting and knitting can have profound benefits, not only for veterans but for the general public.
When you combine those mental health benefits with sustainability, it creates a beautiful package.
Host:
You also had a unique project connected to George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Guest:
Yes. A curator contacted Peter about remodeling Mount Vernon. They needed handmade rope in red and natural colors for special windows.
Peter flew to Hungary and found an artisan who could make the rope by hand, not in a factory. The rope was used in the window restoration. It felt like being part of history.
Host:
That’s incredible. You’ve also done something called Crafty Sips. Tell us about that.
Guest:
Before COVID, we saw craft activities happening at bars and restaurants. Peter and I were very into string art at the time.
With string art, you start with a piece of wood, hammer nails into it, and then string designs like hearts or other shapes. We brought that activity to a bar, where people could enjoy beer or wine while creating something.
We haven’t brought it back yet, but we would love to.
Host:
That sounds like something our young professionals group would love. Maybe we can partner with a brewery and make it happen.
Guest:
I would love that. I’ve already mentioned that it could be a great Chamber event.
Host:
We should also let people know where to find you. Your website is Hemptique.com, correct?
Guest:
Yes, Hemptique.com. People can search by craft, material, home goods, pets, clothing, accessories, and tools. We now have crochet hooks and supplies for many different types of projects.
Host:
You’re also going to be at our Green Expo.
Guest:
Yes, we’re very excited. We used to attend the Earth Fair at Balboa Park, and this feels like a smaller version of that. We’ll bring backpacks, hats, T-shirts, and other products.
Host:
You’ve also expanded into industrial uses, which is fascinating.
Guest:
Yes. For example, in aquaculture, customers ask about fish netting made from natural fibers because hemp and linen biodegrade over time. We also serve meatpackers with a special food-safe linen used for tying products like sausages.
Host:
That’s amazing. You and Peter also have four children, right?
Guest:
Yes. Our oldest is 21 and in college, our next is 19 and also in college, and we have two 15-year-old daughters at Sage Creek.
Host:
I’m thinking you would also be a great guest for our Future CEO program. It’s a middle school entrepreneur program where students build business plans and sell products at a makers market.
Guest:
I would be very excited. I’ve been very engaged with children, especially through my own four children and through arts programs. There is so much at our office that I could bring to inspire them. There are endless possibilities beyond bracelets and jewelry.
Host:
That would be such a great connection.
Guest:
On our website, we also have an inspiration tab with YouTube videos, some we created and some contributed by designers. Our Instagram page also features videos from designers doing weaving, macramé, bookbinding, crocheting, chandeliers, and even crocheted dresses.
Host:
That’s amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your story. We love having you as part of the Chamber and the Carlsbad family.
Guest:
Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here, and we’re happy to be part of this community.
Host:
Thanks for joining us on Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact. If you got value out of today’s episode, please hit follow on your favorite podcast app and tell a friend. We’ll see you next time.