Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamilla Norova
Hi Kamilla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, where my parents immigrated from Central Asia (Uzbekistan) in the ’80s. In 2015, I moved to Austin from LA, where I had an internship in the hotel business. Throughout my life, I’ve always been surrounded by a creative community, whether in St. Petersburg, Europe, LA, or Austin. My passion for bringing people together comes from my family, who organized events and dinners for people of different nationalities and cultures.
My community back home was large and included creatives from the electronic music scene to the hip-hop community, with graffiti artists, breakdancers, and vinyl scratchers. When I moved to Austin, I wanted to create a “home away from home.” That’s how I started Konnekt Pop-ups in 2018, where I bring local creatives together. There’s so much talent in Austin, and I want to help people step outside their comfort zones and share their gifts with the world through my markets.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road, but it’s definitely been fun! One of the main struggles has been the unpredictable weather. Organizing my pop-ups takes a lot of time and money, so when I have to cancel last minute due to weather, it can be a significant loss. I usually don’t sleep well the night before, and it adds a lot of stress to the process.
Plus, right now I’m also running one of the busiest spots in Austin, Swim Club, which makes it even harder to manage everything! Despite these challenges, I keep pushing forward because the community and creativity make it all worthwhile!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do a lot of things! First and foremost, I specialize in hospitality. For the past 15 years, I’ve been managing and consulting on new openings in Europe, LA, and Austin. I’ve been fortunate to be part of some amazing places in Austin over the past nine years, including Better Half, Bufalina, Figure 8 Coffee, Este, and Soho House. I couldn’t have done it all without my incredible people here, who have become like family to me.
In addition to that, I organize local events and pop-ups with Konnekt. I also enjoy secretly playing records and making clothes on the side. What sets me apart is my deep commitment to fostering community and creativity, always striving to connect people through shared experiences. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the positive impact my work has on the local hospitality and creative scene!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always really into sports, thanks to my dad. Music and fashion were my true passions, though. My mom used to make all our clothes, which was awesome and definitely shaped my picky taste in fashion—I still create some of my own pieces today.
At 17, I would sneak out of my apartment at 1 AM to go to parties in the city, where I got to meet and help organize events with amazing DJs from the UK and Europe, like Skepta and other big artists. I also loved listening to different podcasts, as well as BBC Radio 1 and 6. Every Sunday, I’d exchange music with a group of friends, many of whom were from different countries. Even though we hadn’t met in person, we became best friends, and I’m forever grateful for those connections. It was a unique experience that helped shape my interests.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kamillanorova.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamillanorova
Image Credits
Jade Hammer
Hannah Koehler
Andrew Whited
