About Us

Our Mission

To offer the tools and supplies needed to create unique works of art, and empower people to earn profit from their art and passions while making a positive impact on their communities.

Our Vision

Our vision is to inspire people to find happiness in pursuing their passions while making a positive impact on their communities.

We understand the struggle and feelings of hopelessness from being stuck in a job or career you hate, and wanting to escape but fearing the financial hardships that come with pursuing a career in a passion you love. We've been told all our lives that "artists don't make money", crushing our childhood dreams of ever becoming an artist. We are here to tell you that doesn't have to be true. Look around you - art is everywhere! It won't be easy and people will doubt you, but we are here to empower you to find happiness in striving for your passions. Your art has a place in this world!

“Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Our Values

Through art, we aim to make a positive difference in the world with these core values:

  • Passion: passion is what brings confidence, happiness, creativity, love, and the power to inspire positive change. Without passion, Neko Deco Craft Shop would not be possible!

  • Equality and diversity: we envision an inclusive society that values diversity and aims to eradicate racism and discrimination. Unequal treatment against people because of their culture, race, sexual orientation, religion, legal status, physical/mental disabilities, gender identity, or skin color results in greater barriers to accessing housing, job opportunities, health, education, and many other services. Physical and verbal violence against these groups also result in negative and long-lasting damage to these communities. We are committed to using our social platform to educate others and fight against the societal inequalities and oppression caused by racism and discrimination; and bring focus to the creative talents and skills that individuals in these communities have.

  • Caring for people and the planet: we believe that every one should do their part in making a positive difference in the world, and this includes businesses, whether small or large, and those with the power to influence change through their social platform. We aim to inspire others to do better, be better; and we are committed to using our business to help achieve and inspire lasting, positive change aligned with our core values.

    Click here to see what we have done so far to help the world!
  • Creativity and inspiration: art is a combination of creativity and inspiration! We are all connected in some way, inspiring each other and growing the art community with each of our individual passions and diverse experiences. 

Our Story

Hi! My name is Emily Lai - I'm the founder of Neko Deco Craft Shop in Vancouver, BC, Canada!

Before I opened this craft shop, I was a registered nurse (RN) and resin crafter selling handmade charms and phone cases as Neko Deco Cafe. As rewarding as it was to be able to help others as an RN, it was causing me an immense amount of anxiety and stress. For years, I had dreamed of turning my shop full-time and pursue my passion in art, but was discouraged by people telling me that it was a "bad idea", that I should be grateful for my career as an RN because I worked so hard in school for my degree and it's "good pay".  "Everyone hates their job. Just suck it up," they told me. I felt alone and disappointed in myself, and hopeless because I had spent years working towards becoming an RN only to realize it wasn't fit for me. I had no idea what else I could do, but my career was taking a huge toll on my physical and mental health and I knew I had to find a way to get out of it. 

In October 2018, I took my last nursing shift, and in February 2019, I officially did not renew my nursing license. After months of careful planning, I took the plunge and turned my business into my full-time job. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest! Despite so many people doubting me, that was one of the best decisions I had ever made in my entire life. I am the happiest I have ever been, with a renewed purpose in life: to inspire others to create art and pursue their own passions!