Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Sophia Aguilar.
Hi Anna Sophia; it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was born and raised in San Antonio and am the eldest in my family, and as the only daughter, I have a very close relationship with my mother. As first-generation Mexican Americans, we still have many families in Mexico. Growing up, I spent summers in Mexico with my grandma and family in Nava, Coahuila. I enjoyed my time in Mexico and family time so much that I would try to hide in my grandma’s closet when the summer was over and my parents were on their way to pick me up. Truthfully, I didn’t want to leave. Mexico wasn’t just somewhere my parents grew up; it was home for them and me. Even as a young girl, I loved Mexican fashions and styles. I loved the vibrant colors, the feel of the embroidered fabrics, and the intricate details in traditional clothing. After college, I felt lost and asked myself, “what is my passion?” “What is I see myself doing and waking up excited to start my day?”
I continued searching for those answers until I attended a wedding in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I remember landing in Mexico City, smelling the fresh air, hearing the electric sounds, the bright lights, and the hustle and bustle; I was captivated. You step onto a street where vendors are selling their “Artesanias,” and you meet a lady with fresh homemade tamales just a few steps away. Simply put, I fell in love. I remember returning home and telling my mom about all the beautiful handmade jewelry and pieces I saw – and that’s where MexiChicSA was born. I wanted to bring Mexico to the United States, so we contacted Artisans all over Mexico; little by little, we purchased a few pieces and stored them in my old bedroom.
We had this plan that one day we would open up our business with all our beautiful items. Then March 2020 happened, and we all know what happened next, the pandemic. At this time, we were both nervous, but we kept buying; during this time, tourism was down in Mexico, so Artisans were struggling to sell most of their pieces. We could still buy and help out, which made this business even more rewarding. We opened MexiChicSA on Sept 16, 2020. This day just felt right in our hearts; the rest is history. Today we partner with Artisans to create exclusive pieces for our brand. We have many ideas and can bring them to life because of the talented and hard-working artisans. This business isn’t just for us but also a way to empower Mexican female artisans to create and grow their businesses. We work directly with them. There is no middle person, no designer or buyers involved. We pay them by the piece and don’t believe in haggling. We have built strong relationships with the artisans; we know their families, celebrate their talents, and share a goal to create beautiful and meaningful pieces.
I know this is just the beginning of my MexiChicSA and my story, but I consider myself grateful to do this work alongside my mother. When I lay down each night and think about how my day was spent putting out fires and tackling a ten-bullet checklist, I am the most complete I have ever been. I still feel like the little girl spending her summers in Mexico full of dreams and aspirations.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a first-generation Latina, my family and background come from no business experience, so rough spots were inevitable. You see a thriving business, and it’s easy to glamorize. As a dancer at heart, the creative side of the business came naturally. However, there was a lot to learn, the financial part, sales taxes, shipping logistics, customer services, accounting, and the list. I learned quickly there are so many moving parts to a business. Everyone is accustomed to “fast fashion,” but we are slow fashion, which was another major factor in establishing our business model. Every item from MexiChicSA is handmade and takes longer than what consumers are accustomed to. Educating our customers about the process and intricacies of the work that goes into our approach is a significant component. I’m lucky to have a great team; it’s almost like a baby; it’s constantly growing and takes a village.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
MexiChicSA brings vibrant and one-of-a-kind styles from Mexico to your closet. We have a wide range of pieces – from timeless silhouettes to bold statement-making accessories; each MexiChicSA piece is created with love, care, and decades of tradition. We work face-to-face with artisans from Mexico, and together they create traditional, beautiful, and cultural designs with a modern twist. Our most popular items are our one-of-a-kind dresses and San Antonino Embroidered earrings made in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our focus is to champion not only the talented artisans but their communities. We take pride in our prices because we work directly with Artisans; no middle person or designer is involved, which makes it possible for us to have great prices. We are devoted to preserving our rich Mexican heritage and style by empowering our makers and sharing it with the rest of the world. Our goal for shoppers is to know that every day is a perfect opportunity to appreciate and wear Mexican culture. It doesn’t have to only be on vacation, special occasion, or holiday. Mexican culture and fashion are always to be celebrated! It’s a lifestyle.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I couldn’t help but include two things:
(1)A lot of people, especially MexiChicSA customers, think I run my small business full-time, but the reality is that up until recently, this has been a hobby.
I have always had a passion for helping people, leading me to work in the insurance business. That passion, combined with growing up in an immigrant household, naturally gravitated to helping others by providing and educating them with resources like health and life insurance. Having a full-time job and a small business can be challenging some days, but I am satisfied knowing I can be a resource to my community in more ways than one.
(2)Many people know Anna MexiChicSA’s business owner or insurance agent, but some may be surprised to learn that I am a dancer at my core.
I began dancing at four years old and have always seen it as therapeutic. My mother would take me to ballet, the “foundation of dance,” where I learned many life skills that I still carry with me today. I also danced Folklorico, flamenco, jazz, and tap throughout my childhood and teenage years. Nowadays, the only dancing I do is in the morning when I’m listening to music and getting ready for the day.
Pricing:
- Dresses range between $68-$90
- Earrings range $30-45
- Embroidered Bags $60-70
- Neckaces $38-55
Contact Info:
- Website: shopmexichicsa.com
- Instagram: @mexichicsa
- Facebook: @MexiChicSA
- Other: Tiktok: @mexichicsallc
Image Credits
Joseph Espino @ On a Dime Productions
