Houston store offers mementos from around the world

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Imagine collecting items from around the world without ever leaving Houston. Well, new store owner, Suzanne Coppola is making that possible.

"My husband and I used to live oversees years ago, and we just developed a love affair for adventures and traveling to different countries and markets, and finding pieces that we could bring into our home that would tell a story," she says.

For the past decade, Coppola has held onto mementos that she could one day share with others.

"This year was a milestone year for me - a big birthday - and decided this was the year that I wanted to launch my collection of curated items," she adds.

At 40, Coppola launched her dream business, Laurier Blanc.

"It actually stands for white laurel in French. It's all based on a piece of iron work that I found and fell in love with years ago," she said.

What started out as a store selling one of a kind and antique pieces and giving back to different charities quarterly has grown into one where she travels the world giving business to local artists. Her goal is to purchase home decor, art, jewelry, accessories, and fashion that will help impact a community.

It's been quite the journey for Coppola, both professionally and personally.

"This year has been a tremendous amount of work balancing life, work, and children, but it has been a true labor of love, as well. If it's something that you're passionate about, I think the energy is going to come through," she says.

Coppola has launched her website Laurier Blanc, and her studio opens in two weeks.