Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Rodriguez.
Hi Rich, 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 backstories with our readers.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak, even when I worked within large companies. But the idea for having my own shop and brand started back in the early aughts when I was living in Brooklyn, NY. There are so many small, independent shops with their own unique collections, and I always loved stopping by not only to browse and but also to talk with the owners. I really loved getting to know the people who owned the businesses.
I would daydream about opening the shop’s doors in the morning, getting it all set up for the day, and talking with customers as they came to shop. I didn’t quite know exactly what I would sell, but I loved the idea of curating a collection of goods to share with people. I think of myself as both a shopkeeper and curator.
While still in Brooklyn, I wrote a business plan for a store but was never able to get it off the ground. When my husband and I moved to Long Beach in 2014, we fell in love with the city because of its diversity, relative walkability, and the small, independent shops where we live. I got to know some of the local business owners and began talking to them about their experiences and letting them into my dream. By the end of 2019, I was beginning to form the idea for the shop and started developing a brand identity and story.
This time, I wanted to be sure I found an experienced business advisor who could help me write the plan, create the financial projects, and ultimately get some start-up funding. I also looked for other experts and advisors who could assist me along the way with different aspects of the business.
The pandemic forced me to shelve the shop project for another year, so I pivoted to designing tote bags inspired by Tagalog words to sell in the meantime. One of the words I chose was ‘masaya.’ The meaning of the word perfectly captured the spirit of the Filipino people, and the design was so stunning that I ultimately chose it as the name of the shop and the design as the logo.
By the summer of 2021, I was starting to zero in on a location and beginning the process of finding a contractor and commercial design firm. Through many starts and stops along the way, MASAYA officially opened on May 6, 2022!
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?
No, it was not a smooth road. The global pandemic was the biggest challenge I faced and it caused so many delays, from securing a location and planning a design/construction schedule to receiving permits from the city due to changes made to the submission and review process. The costs for materials also increased across the board, which affected my overall budget for the project.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about MASAYA?
MASAYA is a retail shop in Long Beach, CA, offering a curated collection of clothing, accessories, homewares, and gifts from independent brands. We also host events, workshops, and pop-ups for the community and have had everything from fine art, natural juice, floral bouquets, wood crafts, and even Filipino desserts!
Masaya means “happy, joyful” in Tagalog (I’m Filipino American), and I chose the word to honor the spirit of the Filipino people. The word also reflects our greater mission as a lifestyle brand: to bring joy to people’s everyday lives through the everyday things we sell. There’s something about putting on a beautifully made shirt that can make you feel good. A shirt is something we all have, but when it fits you well and is made responsibly with high quality, ethically sourced materials, and features a striking design, it can make an everyday moment feel special. The same goes for the accessories, planters, stationery, and other goods we sell. My favorite moments are when people walk by the store or come for an event, step inside, take in the colorful walls, hear the music, try on something, and tell me the experience made them feel really good. That’s MASAYA.
I wanted the shop to not only be a place for customers to buy high-quality, responsibly made goods but also a place that would tap into their senses and give them different ways to experience the brand. Obviously, there’s the tactile nature of the materials and fabrics of the different products we sell. There’s the color blocking, murals and artwork, and the curated playlists on the sound system. We recently added a scent station for customers to smell test the all-natural soaps and began selling chocolates made from Philippine cacao. I think people are craving these experiences again after a few years of being deprived of them due to the pandemic.
MASAYA is unique because it’s an expression of the many cultures and communities that have influenced me, not only Filipino and other AAPI but also American, BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), and LGBTQ+. I think you can see it manifested in our customers who literally come from all backgrounds and ages. They have found a way into the brand because something spoke to them authentically–the shop design, product, stories, events. I can’t tell you how much this discovery excites me.
What’s also unique is the way we’re expressing joy, community, and collaboration through the focus on a sensorial experience, the multiple pop-up events we’ve hosted for customers, and the partnerships with local artists, makers, and brands (and one based in Manila!) to create new products and original artwork. We’re creating a platform for what it means to be a Filipino-led brand today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
To be honest, I’m not a big believer in luck. I think the opportunities we seek are out there, and we just need to be ready to accept them when they are presented to us. Sometimes you’re ready, and sometimes you’re not. There are many opportunities out there, so even if you miss one, there will be others. Be ready for it next time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.masayastore.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masayastore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Masaya-Store/100069070663429/
Image Credits
Bethany Nauert
