We are Darwin & Kathy DeCamp. Our Indian names are Huc Xu nuk (Little Bear) and Chant-ina-zhinga (Outstanding). Our business name comes from both our names. We were formerly known as Little Hoonch.
We started this venture when an opportunity presented itself to us by GOD. It is he who made us and not we ourselves. We give our father God all the praise and glory
We both started our adulthood in the military. A total of fifteen years. After the military we had worked as a bricklayer and worked for the Ho-chunk Nation.
While we do alot of our own work, we also promote other artist around the country. so our inventory is vast in different Tribal work.
Be assured that we never carry imported items or "tommyhawks", plastic bow and arrows or or the likes of these items. This is one of the reasons we opened OLB Native fine art. We traveled to pow-wows and saw the quality of items being offered. We remembered how it used to be when we were young. It seemed that people where looking for the fast buck and quality didn't matter. And this being a sad reflection on the indigenous people of this land, we opened OLB Native fine art.
Finally thank you if you have seen us at a pow-wow and patronized our business. We really appreciate it. It helps us to provide the necessities that we need to survive in this everyday life. Thank-you Darwin & Kathy
Interview by Larry Knudsen
Tell us about yourselves? Our names are Darwin and Kathy DeCamp. Darwin is from French, Mexican and Comanche Nations, and I am from the Ho-Chunk Nation. Darwin grew up in Joliet ILL, and I am from Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Can you tell us about Outstanding Little Bear Native Fine Art? OLB came to us, after we made a prayer to ask God if this is what His intention for us was, and if it was, He would make it a good experience. So far He has done many great and wonderful things for us.
When did you know it was time to start your company? Darwin was a bricklayer for 20 years, and I worked for the Ho-Chunk Nation for 15 years, one day I went to his worksite and saw him up on scaffolding very high off the ground, and I didn't want to see him up there and in that dangerous place again.
You have a varity of items, what is your biggest seller? We studied our market and our clientele and what they liked, our special orders such as the peyote stitch earrings are very popular sellers.
How does one introduce their products to you? Products? We make most of our products; otherwise we look for the best products to save our customers money. Otherwise, native crafters just approach us when we are set up or just come to our home or call.
You have a special page just for the Peyote Stitch, tell us about it? Darwin loves to work with size 13 cut beads, it is his specialty. He always uses me as the guinea pig. When we started dating he made me a pair in my favorite color, French blue, I would wear them to events, and people starting requesting them. The customers, who have become our friends, order them for special occasions. I still have that pair of earrings.
What is it like to run an on-line business? We haven't really gone full blown with an online business. We do offer some items for sale.
Do you manage your website? Yes we do.
What is the highest revenue generating Powwow or Conference you attend? God blesses us everywhere we go.
What was your biggest obstacle with starting your company? Building our good reputation.
Has your tribal nation(s) supported your endeavor? The Ho-Chunk Nation offered a chance to apply and compete for various small business and tribal loans.
Who were your mentor's growing up? Grandparents and parents.
What is your favorite annual Powwow? It wouldn't be fair to list one, we love them all.
What advice do you have for young Indigenous Entrepreneur's? Put the Creator God first, start everyday with words of prayer. The opportunities that await you are going to blow you away. Stay positive, honest, open-minded and willing to put in long hours and watch your business grow. God's blessings and prayers to you.
