Camilla Mayer - Co-Founder of Nary Resort
What does it mean to build a business that refuses to compromise its values?
In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, Dorothy sits down with Camilla Mayer, CEO and co-founder of Nary Resort, an ethical fashion brand rooted in Cambodia that is redefining what sustainable manufacturing can look like.
Although Camilla grew up in Chicago, her Cambodian heritage has always shaped the way she sees the world. In this conversation, she reflects on navigating identity as a Cambodian American, the influence of family and culture, and how those experiences ultimately inspired her to build a company that invests directly in Cambodian artisans, ethical production, and environmentally responsible practices.
Camilla talkings about some of the harsh realities of fast fashion—an industry responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions, 20% of the world's wastewater, and 35% of the microplastics polluting our oceans (UniformMarket). They discuss how a culture of overconsumption, where many garments are worn only 7-10 times before being discarded, has fueled demand for cheaper production at the expense of both people and the planet.
Camilla shares why staying true to your values is often the hardest part of entrepreneurship, how Nary Resort approaches sustainability beyond marketing buzzwords, and why preserving Cambodian craftsmanship matters now more than ever.
Whether you're passionate about Cambodia, ethical fashion, entrepreneurship, or building a purpose-driven business, this episode offers an inspiring look at how culture and values can become the foundation of lasting change.
