Today we’d like to introduce you to Gisel Barrett and Edgar Flores.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My now husband (Edgar) at the time when we first started dating the first thing I noticed was his habits regarding his diet, he was already onto healthy eating, habits and looking after the environment, as our relationship moved forward he started getting me into it, and well growing up Mexican I was used to having the traditional snacks (Mexican snacks) chips with tons of lime, valentina and chamoy, as well as many of other spicy candies, something I had to give up for my new dietary habits as well as discovering some of those are produced or contain in some form lead, as well as other contents with no nutritional value, I say this because on the other hand, Edgar grew up not having this in his house, his mom was more for “if you eat well, a good breakfast and a good lunch then there’s no need for in between foods”. So when we would travel together (all over Mexico) I would be the one craving snacks, and he didn’t, so I started searching (mainly through Instagram) and from there one product and brand would lead me to another, word of mouth from newly made friends or even strangers about certain products or even small shops like ours.
We would bring all these amazing products with us, we will stack up and be at gatherings with friends and families, and they’d say “hey what do you have in there?” “Cactus Jerky, Nopal Churritos, Mexican Turnip Chips (Jicama) or Healthy Chilito” we would say, and they would get amazed, of course, their look on their faces priceless, because “there’s no such thing as Mexican healthy snacks” they would say, and this is something even to this day we still get that reaction from time to time!
So friends would be like “Oh my God this is amazing, bring me some and I’ll pay you” or “I’ll buy it from you” also we will get comments as “you know what I was diagnosed with X disease now I can’t eat (Obleas, Churritos, Chille) but with products like these I can now”
Our friend Araceli Guevara, owner of Viva La Vida Gift Shop @shop_viva_la_vida heard about our idea and she invited us to participate at her 5 de Mayo Pop Up Event in Barrio Logan last year. We did not expect much because it was the first event we participated in, but people loved the idea of bringing healthy mexican products and snacks home.
And from there it kinda took off, I got the paperwork to start our business, look into the requirements for the food handling and permits, and started an Instagram page altogether while learning from it. We have two brands: @mexicolindo.organic which caters to outdoor events like farmers markets, organic & vegan markets, or Mexican events. Then we have @maxamarket which is our physical location in Barrio Logan, the difference is Mexico Lindo carries snacks and produce, and MAXA Market also carries snacks and produce of course, but also eco-friendly, makeup and other goodies you won’t find on these outdoor events unless you visit our physical location.
And this is our story; we have shared responsibilities, you’ll find my husband at the store since he knows a little bit more than I do of the healthy lifestyle, from product history to their impact of what these companies are doing in the communities where they source their products from.
Please tell us about your art.
We are an inclusive business as dietary needs, refer to, caters to all these different needs. We are a place where you can go and have all these products you can’t have anymore because of a disease or a dietary restriction, and help look back on the happy times from your times in Mexico as growing up or just products you are looking an alternative for a healthier eating, being and even lifestyle.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I’d say:
Don’t do things with fear because it may tear your dreams without even trying, you are your only enemy, no one else, compete with yourself to always be better, do believe in yourself and if you do start a project with your spouse, or significant other to make sure to not kill each other in the process, there’s always a way, of course there’s been things where we don’t agree 100%, but you have to reach a middle point. Luckily Edgar and I have each other’s back, I encourage him, and he encourages me to go further to my limits,
Always be nice to others and think of these three things before you even speak: is it true, is it necessary, is it kind, the three gates philosophy has helped us a lot.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Our physical location is 2151 Logan Ave Studio D, San Diego, CA 92113
By buying any of our products, you are not supporting only us, but the hands of many young entrepreneurs, women-owned, women employed businesses and families in Mexico.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2151 Logan Ave, Studio D
San Diego, CA
92113 - Phone: 6194851143
- Email: maxamarketsd@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/maxamarket
- Facebook: facebook.com/maxamarket
Image Credit:
Edgar & Gisel
Here we are at the main entrance of the Art Hub (Our store location) the photo was taken by a good friend of ours (she became one thorough this process) Karen of @ixu_miel
