Founder Spotlight: Aja Cousin, '23 and Camila & Catherine Co.
For Aja Cousin ’23, founder of Camila & Catherine Co., entrepreneurship began with a moment of faith. What started as a personal search for meaningful jewelry has grown into a brand that blends luxury, spirituality, and storytelling — creating timeless pieces that serve as symbols of strength and devotion.
What inspired you to start your venture, and what problem are you solving?
Camila & Catherine Co. was born out of a deeply personal moment of faith. I realized how meaningful jewelry can be as a source of strength, symbolism, and identity. For many people of faith, jewelry and symbolic pieces like crosses or rosaries are anchors during life’s hardest seasons. I wanted to create a brand that bridges luxury with meaning, offering jewelry that tells stories, carries purpose, and uplifts people in moments when they need it most.
How did Wolf Pack LaunchU shape your journey as a founder?
LaunchU gave me structure, mentorship, and accountability at a time when my business was still in the early stages. The workshops and mentorship sessions pushed me to refine my vision, validate my market, and think strategically about scaling. Most importantly, I found a community of like-minded founders who supported and challenged me, which gave me the confidence to own my voice as an entrepreneur.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the program, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was narrowing down the vision and mission for the company. As a creative, I had so many ideas about what Camila & Catherine could be, but LaunchU taught me the power of focus. By breaking down the business into milestones and creating a step-by-step plan, I was able to take my ambitious goals and make them achievable.
Now that you’ve secured funding, what’s next?
The funding will allow me to invest in more inventory, boost marketing efforts, build a stronger e-commerce platform, expand my services to include products like subscription boxes, and launch community-focused initiatives like devotionals and forums through our Substack. My goal is not only to grow Camila & Catherine as a jewelry company but also as a space where faith and community meet.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring LOYNO entrepreneur?
Don’t wait until your idea feels perfect. Start small, where you are, and with what you have. The process of testing, pitching, and refining will sharpen your idea more than holding onto it quietly ever will. I fully embraced the lean startup methodology when I launched Camila & Catherine Co. Courage and consistency are just as important as creativity.
Mentor: Cristy Cali, Cristy Cali Jewelry