Founder's story

The story of Kulturd begins in a distant land where freedom and human rights remain a daily struggle, where our founder, Jasmine was born.   As a 17-year-old member of a religious minority advocating for equality, she witnessed the unimaginable: the execution and imprisonment of immediate family members, confiscation of assets, and the systemic denial of basic rights—such as access to education, employment, and even a passport. Realizing her future in her homeland was bleak, she made the heart-wrenching decision to escape. Together with her 18-year-old brother, she fled through the mountains to Turkey, leaving her parents and siblings behind in pursuit of education and freedom.

As refugees under the care of the United Nations, they waited in limbo, with no clear path forward. Nine months later, following a formal interview at the U.S. Embassy, they were granted asylum and arrived in Phoenix to build their lives. She worked tirelessly to support herself through university, eventually carving out a successful professional career. Along the way, she married, built her own family, and finally found a place to call home.

Creativity had always been part of her DNA. From childhood, she loved imagining, designing, and building—expressions that extended to every aspect of her life from fashion, art to professional work, and cooking. Her culinary journey began out of necessity: as a 12-year-old, she cooked for her family while her father was imprisoned, and later, she prepared meals for herself and her brother after their escape. What started as survival evolved into a canvas for creativity and innovation. She never accepted boundaries or norms, using tradition as a launchpad for experimentation.

As her family grew, life became busier, and balancing work, family, and meals became more challenging. A move to Boulder offered a refreshing and well needed  pause to reevaluate priorities, leading to more time for her children, team dinners, and culinary experimentation. Drawing on recipes passed down through generations, she reimagined and modernized them to suit the needs of her busy lifestyle.

Kulturd was born out of this creativity and necessity—a brand rooted in tradition but designed for modern living. It’s a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the vibrant flavors that connect us to our past while inspiring our future.