Andrea Barraza shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Andrea , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One thing that’s often misunderstood about my small business is how spiritual and personal the journey really is. Running a small business on your own means constantly believing in yourself, embracing failure, and learning from every mistake.
As a homemade brand, there have been a lot of trial-and-error moments—many batches, a lot of testing, and plenty of lessons along the way. I always wanted my products to improve, which inspired me to further my education in formulation so I could enhance my lotions and other skincare items.
Starting Cremas de Andrea has helped me grow not only as an entrepreneur but also as a person. A big misconception is that running a small business is simple—you actually wear so many hats: product developer, marketer, accountant, and more. It’s truly a journey of self-discovery, and your business grows right alongside you. Not everyone will love your products, and that’s okay. What matters is staying true to your vision and continuing to learn.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Andrea, and I’m the creator of Cremas de Andrea. I originally started my business to help my mom with her arthritis pain — I wanted to make something natural that could bring her comfort. Through all my batches and experiments, I realized my products were also helping others with minor pain and skin issues. That inspired me to dive deeper into essential oils and organic ways of healing the skin.
The name Cremas de Andrea actually came from a funny moment — my mom once yelled across the house, “¡Dame la crema de Andrea!” (“Give me Andrea’s cream!”) and right then, it just clicked. From that day forward, the name felt perfect.
I dedicate all my formulations to my family — they’re the reason I started, and they’ll always inspire me to keep creating homemade products with love and purpose. Over time, I began sharing my creams with others, and through word of mouth and pop-ups, my little hobby started to grow.
Now, I have an online store and continue to study formulation so I can keep improving my products and expanding my small business. Ultimately, Cremas de Andrea means “cremas de mi para ti” — creams from me, for you.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Becoming a mother has really shaped how I see myself. It’s forced me to look inward and face the darker parts of my past so I can grow and heal. Through my son, I’ve learned so much about patience, self-reflection, and unconditional love.
Motherhood has helped me heal my inner child while realizing that I’m also shaping someone’s future — their future as a partner, a friend, and a person in this world. It’s been the most powerful mirror, showing me who I am and who I want to be.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to be gentle and patient — to trust the process and not be so hard on herself. I’d remind her that mistakes aren’t failures; they’re lessons, and every challenge is shaping the person she’s meant to become.
I’d also tell her not to worry so much about what other people think — most people are going through the same struggles, and it’s okay to let go of that pressure. It’s okay to grow at your own pace, embrace your passions, and believe in yourself. Everything she goes through, even the hard parts, will help her heal, learn, and ultimately create something meaningful.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the skincare industry tells itself—and its customers—is that chemical-heavy products are automatically better for your skin. Just because something is formulated with ingredients that sound “scientific” doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective.
I believe it’s important to understand what we’re putting on our skin, just as we consider what we consume in our diet. Our skin absorbs what we apply, so learning about ingredients and choosing natural, nourishing products can make a big difference. I always encourage people to be curious and informed about what they’re putting on their skin.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m creating — whether that’s developing new formulations, designing labels, or simply bringing new products to life. The process of creating allows me to focus, express myself, and pour care into something tangible. It’s my form of mindfulness and really grounds me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cremasdeandrea.shop
- Instagram: cremasdeandrea
- Other: contact hola@cremasdeandrea.shop
Image Credits
@lspzznv
