Sigulda-based company IK “Forest Wonders”, under its “Daba Deco” brand, creates three-dimensional wall decorations inspired by Latvian nature – animals, flowers, leaves and mushrooms. Around 90% of the company’s products are currently sold abroad, including in the United States, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Brand founder Silvija Stade sees the next stage of growth in expanding cooperation with interior designers, concept stores and businesses in the hospitality sector.
Silvija took her first steps in entrepreneurship gradually, offering her creations on the international online marketplace “Etsy”. However, a conversation with specialists from the Sigulda Representative Office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) became an important turning point.
“At first, I was looking for opportunities to grow the business locally and joined the pre-incubation programme. A year later, the team at LIAA’s Sigulda Representative Office approached me and encouraged me to apply for business incubation, and in November 2024 we became participants in the business incubation programme. For companies in the creative industries, being accepted into the incubation programme is not a given, as in addition to the originality of the idea, you also have to demonstrate the product’s growth and export potential. That is why I am proud that I succeeded. Participating in the programme also gave me the confidence to see ‘Daba Deco’ not simply as a creative pursuit, but as a serious business with export potential,” says Silvija.
The support programme has helped the company define its target customers more precisely, select the most appropriate sales channels and plan its development more systematically. Financial support has been used to purchase raw materials and new casting moulds, for advertising, and to participate in exhibitions and international B2B platforms. Meanwhile, LIAA’s digitalisation support was used to develop the company’s website and online store.
“At first, preparing price surveys, a financial support plan and other documentation seemed complicated, but once you have gone through the process, everything becomes much easier to understand. The staff at LIAA’s Sigulda Representative Office are also always responsive – they explain things, help correct mistakes and find solutions. My experience of working with LIAA has been very positive, so I would also encourage other entrepreneurs in the creative industries not to be afraid, to apply and to make use of the opportunities available,” Silvija emphasises.
This article was produced within the framework of the project “Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship for SMEs”, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union.
