Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara & Isabel Davila & Mendez
Hi Sara & Isabel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are a pair of sisters, Sara & Isabel, who took a flying leap into starting a jewelry business in 2019 while at huge life shifts for both of us. Our business name, 4 BeanS, is named for the close bond we have with our siblings (4 kids = 4 beans). We work with resin alongside varying materials, like wood, acrylic, our own pressed flowers/plants and glitter, to hand make each and every one of our pieces.
Despite having started our business just before a pandemic hit, the slower start of getting our feet wet proved to be the best learning tool. We love the opportunities to put our stuff out into the world and are always blown away when we see our pieces out in the wild. We love sparkle and whimsy, that’s all we want to give to the world.
We started with our honeycomb shapes… we really had a lot of fun with those. Our family responded so positively, with so much support, that we got a big vote of confidence. Outdoor markets were how so many people coped with isolation during lockdown so market life became our world.
Customers seem to like chit chatting and having a laugh as they shop and they love the variety of designs we bring.
When working with a sister you’re close to, that energy comes through, and it really shows in the work we create. We both have “real” jobs. We have to make it make sense with life – kids, husbands, family – so when we do get out there to markets, it’s that much more of an experience instead of something we have to do. We do have earrings in Reverie Book store, and have done other boutiques previously, but we generally have more fun interacting with the people. Isabel is much more shy than Sara, but it doesn’t change how much fun we have out there.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Fairly smooth, yes. Thankfully, we can set the pace of our business and that helps to work through whatever obstacles come along with being a small business. We suppose the most difficult part is the business side of things, learning all the proper channels for selling and having this company.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We mostly make earrings. We have done some varying other items like nightlights, bracelets, necklaces and ornaments, but the bulk of our business is earrings. Lightweight earrings, more importantly.
We create with resin, individually painting or creating scenes inside a resin window, which can be painstakingly tedious but hugely satisfying. We like whimsy and sparkle. We have created wedding jewelry, special animal shape requests, team colors, sport specific pieces and themes (holiday, themed bachelorette, sister/daughter pieces, etc.)
We are proud of every single piece. It feels like as long as we still have creative juices flowing to bring out new pieces, we’ve still got something to share with the world.
We might be set apart by our ability to pour ourselves into the work but when life starts to get moving a little too fast, we know to pump the brakes and pause so we don’t miss out on important family happenings and babies growing up. Thankfully we have the flexibility to do that. We do not take that for granted.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We love the idea of creating something with themes, logos, colors but, really, just sharing or viewing what we post on social media and in person purchases, it means everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://4beanstx.com
- Instagram: 4_beans_tx
- Facebook: 4_beans_tx
