Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Ramirez.
Hi Ericka, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been creative and interested in creating. My mom taught me how to make jewelry when I was in high school and I did very well selling my pieces (although, ironically, that was my least favorite part). I continued through collage, but “real life” hit once I graduated and had to get an office job. One day I decided to go for it. I ordered a few t-shirts to sample, bought an embroidery machine, took Sunday classes at a local store with women who taught me way more than just embroidery, and quietly started my business. I was equally excited as I was nervous, but I pushed through. It made me so happy. It still does.
I started Good Amor about 7 years ago with an idea for fun, Spanglish words or phrases embroidered into t-shirts and sweatshirts. The plan was to give back to my community by donating part of the sales to local non-profits, while (hopefully!) making a living off of it and quitting my 9-5. Fast forward to today, and my product line has expanded to jewelry, phone and bag charms, and more!
Last year I left my job and decided to focus completely on Good Amor. It was terrifying. I was leaving stability for uncertainty. A steady paycheck for unpredictable sales, but it was my dream, and it was time to make it a reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Struggles are part of any entrepreneurship. My embroidery machine deciding not to work when I get an order in, challenging custom requests, delayed inventory shipments, tight deadlines, inspiration flying out the window from time to time (I’ll get 10 ideas and start them all at the same time and leave them unfinished for a week!), spending hours working on a social media post only to get 10 views and 8 likes (including one from my personal account lol). You name it. Owning every responsibility and decision can be intimidating, and I struggle with confidence every so often. “What if no one likes this?” “What if no one buys it?”, “Am I doing enough?”. I would say my main struggle is trusting both myself and the process, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it because I’m living my dream thanks to the greatest customers in the world who support me and are constantly rooting for me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Good Amor?
I like to describe Good Amor as “wearable happiness”. It’s a colorful, feel-good brand filled with handmade everyday goodies, from embroidered apparel and fun bag and phone charms to keychains, and, most recently, jewelry.
My creative process is always evolving, very personal, and sometimes a bit chaotic, in the best way! I might start making a phone charm and somehow end up with a very cool necklace. A customer will come to me with a custom idea that pushes me out of my creative comfort zone, and suddenly we’re creating something that I might never have thought of on my own.
Most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind. Aside from my staple embroidery designs, I rarely make the exact same thing twice. I intentionally source unique beads and materials in small quantities, which means many pieces are made in very limited numbers, or sometimes, just once.
I love the idea of creating something for my customers that no one else will have. I also love working on custom designs. Taking someone’s idea and turning it into something that feels completely them makes the process even more meaningful. That’s one of my favorite things about Good Amor: turning ideas into something tangible, personal, and fun.
Everything I do is made with mucho love, hoping to brighten someone’s day, make them feel their best while wearing it, and bring a little extra burst of happiness when opening a Good Amor package.
How do you define success?
After years of having an office job, (which I actually loved!), I can confidently say that I define success as doing what brings you happiness while having time to enjoy life. Giving back to my community, connecting with people from all over, and representing my culture through my work is something I’m very proud of. Working on something that is yours, caring for it, growing it and enjoying every second of it makes me successful!
Pricing:
- Overall range is about $20-$45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/goodamor
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/good.amor/
