Today we’d like to introduce you to Yliana Guzman.
Hi Yliana, 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?
If you would have told me five years ago that I would quit my teaching job and open my own Boutique, I would not have believed you. And here I am, 5 years later selling Mexican Clothing on-line and opening my first boutique. I opened my brick-and-mortar store 2 months ago and it was not planned at all. Sometimes life just happens. Last December I had to quit my job. My mom needed help caring for my dad who was losing his fight against cancer. After his passing, my daughters encouraged me to open my store. They knew how happy and excited I would get every time I sold a beautifully embroidered item. How could I not be happy? Every one of the items I sell is unique and reminds me so much of my grandmother and my childhood summers in Mexico. I spent them learning how to embroider small pieces of raw cotton with her and my mom. The scent of the cotton dresses brings back beautiful memories of my grandmother’s house and her beautiful smile. I want to share this beautiful feeling with other Latinas and women of all cultures. Enrich their lives with something unique, hand-made with love and meaning by Artisan Women who want to keep their culture alive. I collaborate directly with artisans, so each purchase directly contributes to their well-being and their families. Some of the pieces I sell are made by young ladies who are learning from their mothers and grandmothers.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The journey has not been easy. I did not wake up one day and see my online store magically appear or my storefront waiting on me to just walk in and start selling. I started with 20 pieces. I took pictures and posted them on Facebook. Once I started selling via my Facebook page, people started requesting different sizes, colors, and styles. Unfortunately, I did not have the money to buy a bigger variety from artisans and I was not about to ask them to underprice such amazing pieces of art. In February we celebrate Charro Days in Brownsville, Texas. People dress up in traditional Mexican clothing to celebrate our culture and the friendship with our sister city across the border. I had to make sure I had a bit more inventory. So, I used the little money I had saved, and part of my monthly paycheck to invest in more items. I spent my time taking my clothes to customers’ homes so they could try them on. The next year I had more inventory, so it was quite impossible to be loading and unloading from my vehicle at each of my customer’s homes. So, for one week in February I decided to open my house for shopping. Soon enough, it was time to have a website. Of course, I could not pay a professional, so I rolled up my sleeves and needles to say, YouTube became my best friend. I learned from other women who sold online and watched tutorials on how to set up a website. I spent entire weekends unpacking items, measuring, taking pictures and loading them to my store. The picture-taking was very challenging. Especially because I did not have the equipment. Only my cellphone, sunlight and my daughters. I owe most of my success to them, they have encouraged me to continue with this hobby-turned-business of mine. They are my cheerleaders who also turned into my packaging clerks during COVID. Surprisingly, COVID was a busy season for me. I never imagined that the embroidered face-masks would have so much success. Thanks to those sales I was able to invest in more inventory and equipment for my business. I was able to offer my customers a broader selection of items. Soon enough I started shipping to other countries and locals were asking if I was going to open a store. My answer was always no. I never thought I would ever be able to pull that off or have the time to do it. However, the Universe had other plans for me. I opened my storefront on August 28th, 2022. I have invested every penny I have and it is so gratifying to hear my customers saying how much they love my store and everything I have to offer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Camelia Mexican Boutique is a Latina owned small business in South Texas. We are dedicated to empower women through unique pieces that reflect their culture and heritage. We offer a wide range of products from baby clothing, jewelry, shoes and home decor. You can shop in-person at our Brownsville, Texas location or on-line. We ship worldwide and have recently started selling wholesale. You will fall in love with our selection of beautifully crafted items.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you
Every purchase made from Camelia Mexican Boutique helps an artisan directly. I collaborate with them and ensure a fair price is paid to them. I am a Mexican-American woman dedicated to empowering women through the beauty of skillfully crafted items made by other women. Camelia Mexican Boutique has allowed me to contribute to the well-being of Mexican Artisan Women and their families. I want to bring the beauty and artistry of Mexican clothing into the lives of modern-day Latinas and women of all cultures. Enrich their lives inside and out knowing that the item they are wearing is not only representing the beauty and art of the artisans’ ancestors, but helping their future generations keep their culture alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camelia.shop/
- Instagram: @cameliamexb
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameliamexb/
