Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Cruz.
Leslie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One could say that SaviaGuate was born from my joy in sharing souvenirs from trips to my country with co-workers. With time, friends and family began requesting these items, which ultimately led to a business. The truth is that SaviaGuate has been brewing for much, much longer. I grew up in a household of women entrepreneurs and artisans who have been hand-crafting items ever since I can remember. This upbringing has instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for my culture and the tenacity it takes to create something by hand.
What started with my love for giving became a side hustle I was giving too much attention to until a friend suggested I should get a booth at a farmers’ market. I didn’t think I was ready for it, nor did I know I wanted to do that. My friend provided me with a canopy, 2 tables, 2 tablecloths and paid for my booth, I was pretty much forced to do it because I didn’t want to be seen as lazy. The event was a success, I started to go sell at the market every Thursday and from then started doing all kinds of pop-ups, markets, festivals, etc.
When the pandemic hit, I created my website, and since then, my business has mainly focused on online sales. I now offer wholesale, I supply to 5 stores here in San Diego also work with a few stores out of state.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A little bit of both, smooth in the sense that I absolutely love the product and what I do, but, like in anything, there is always a bit of struggle in some areas. At first, it was hard to have a seat at the table; I always felt like an outsider, even among the Latin community. Even though I am Latina, I represent a minority of the minority; my accent is different, some of the words I use in Spanish are a bit different, etc. But all that changed when I started to be more confident and decided to make my own table and invite more people that would identify with me and my product.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Saviaguate is a Guatemalan company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in artisanal items made with Mayan textiles.
Saviaguate’s mission is to share the timeless beauty and traditions of Guatemala with the world, bringing the story behind each artisan craft to light and, through that continue to empower the indigenous people of Guatemala. It offers a wide range of handmade items such as accessories, clothing, home decor, and more, all made by Mayan artisans in different areas of Guatemala. Saviaguate also offers mini-session photoshoots with authentic Mayan outfits to help you reconnect with your Guatemalan roots.
One thing I am very proud of is the close relationship I have with my customers. I am community-oriented, and that’s the way I run my business. Even though I want to keep growing, I also want – as much as possible – to keep that warm, close relationship with them.
I’m committed to educating my customers about my culture and preserving the traditional art of Mayan weaving and embroidery. Something I’m very proud of is that I don’t use “middleman” I work directly with Guatemalan artisans to create unique and high-quality products that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala; this is how I’m able to offer very competitive prices, all while supporting the maker and paying their asking price for their creations.
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?
If you’re interested in working, supporting, or collaborating with Saviaguate, you can visit SAVIAGUATE.COM to learn more about products and services. You can also follow SAVIAGUATE in all social media platforms and learn about its mission. Sharing this article with your friends would be of much help as well.
I’m very open to collaborations and any fun projects, but I’m a big fan of photoshoot.
Pricing:
- 15.00
- 40.00
- 85.00
- 150.00
- 350.00
Contact Info:
- Website: saviaguate.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saviaguate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guatesavia/
Image Credits
Efrain Gomez
Gus Mejia
Albert Acosta
