Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Malaga Verano.
Hi Alexandra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
What began as a hobby in June 2019 after the birth of my first son, Cristobal, has grown into a passion project that balances my love for handmade jewelry with my primary role as a mother.
Seeking economic independence while staying home, I began sourcing unique handmade jewelry from Venezuela, specializing in a technique called soutache. I named the business after my son’s initials and launched CJSOUTACHE in November 2019. Although I took a hiatus for a full-time job, I relaunched the business in June 2023 with a new focus on local markets.
Participating in these markets has been a transformative experience. Despite my initial nerves, the support of my family and friends helped me realize how much I enjoy connecting with customers and learning from other small business owners. Even after the birth of my second son, I have continued to grow the business, and I am incredibly proud to still serve customers who have been with me since my very first market.
Running a business while being a full-time mom is not easy, but I put my heart and effort into everything I create. I am grateful for the courage to have started this journey and for the guidance that helps me balance my two favorite jobs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Initially, finding the right target market for my unique and colorful products was a challenge. To grow, I diversified my collection by incorporating sterling silver from Peru and Mexico. I now proudly offer handmade goods from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico, and I am eager to continue expanding my selection of Latin American craftsmanship.
I value connecting with fellow vendors to exchange insights and market recommendations. Through this networking, I have found that my primary audience consists of Latina customers, which is why I prioritize participating in Latina-focused events.
While every market presents its own set of challenges, I view each experience as a learning opportunity. Whether a market is successful or difficult, I am grateful for the people I meet and the knowledge I gain along the way. I am also focused on building my social media presence, consistently learning from others and overcoming challenges to better connect with my community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
First, I want to share more about my background and the story behind my company, CJSOUTACHE. Originally from Peru, I spent seven years as a Product Manager in sales before moving to the United States. While my academic background is in Food Science, my passion has always been in sales, which I now channel into running my own business.
I am incredibly proud of the work we do at CJSOUTACHE. I personally source our handmade products directly from individual artisans rather than buying in bulk. It is rewarding to see the positive impact these purchases have on the artisans and their communities.
I truly love what I do, and I believe my customers feel the care and love that goes into every handmade piece. I look forward to continuing to share these unique products with my customers.
How do you define success?
I would like to share my perspective on what success means to me and my business:
– Success is seeing a smile every time a client finds the perfect piece of jewelry.
– Success is being able to support unique artisans by making purchases at least once every three months.
– Success is enjoying every market and connecting with people, whether they are customers or not.
– Success is learning something new from every experience.
– Success is being able to work and truly enjoy what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjsoutache?igsh=MTAycHE5Zjd4NmV5Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bc2HrSNMj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
