BEHIND THE BRAND

I am from Guatemala and was born in a small village called Chichicastenago where there was no electricity and limited opportunities. My mother wanted to give me and the rest of my family a future filled with opportunity and hope so she opened a small business that sold hand-woven products. At the time, her store consisted of a woven blanket that we would lay on the street. Together we would sit on the street corner waiting to sell her products. I watched her work hard. Slowly, her business grew and she got a physical store location. She began to make bags. I watched as she employed local men and women from our community, paying them well - honoring their hard work and their families. I watched as talented Artisans would show my mother their weavings. I became captivated by their textile art with its vivid colors and designs. Over time, my mother taught me how to match the colors with leather and combine them. I learned about the demand in the market and observed how the weavers could sell their weavings to sustain their families and practice their traditional art. I loved being able to support my people and protect their traditional heritage and craftsmanship through weaving.  I learned from my mother as she formed relationships with different weavers and honoring both her workers and clients. I soon began to design my own products.