Today we’d like to introduce you to Miriam Lizbet Jimenez.
Miriam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Miriam Lizbet Jimenez, I started this adventure called Mexican Heart in mid-2019, it all started because I wanted to start something of my own to manage my dedicated to myself more as well as my time with my family, I am a wife and mother of two teenagers and for almost 20 years I dedicated myself working in my professional career.
When I paused my career, I began to look for business opportunities here in the USA, along the journey and doing my own research I saw an area of opportunity on the furry companions that give us much of the love without asking for nothing in return, so I found handicrafts clothing for pets made by Mexican artisans. I am Mexican and as part of our culture, artisans are a fundamental part of Mexico. Our artisans are very creative and talented people who make beautiful, unique and handmade products; from there came the idea of promoting these products in the United States, considering that in this country there is a culture of love for pets and they are mostly treated as part of the family.
The initial idea was to sell the products online. We are currently participating in events in San Diego County to promote ourselves locally. We already have our website with all our information to make sales online, we are looking for local stores and platforms like Amazon, Etsy & eBay to offer the diversity of our products, one of our short-medium term goals is to plan the distribution of our products throughout the United States, so that they are available to all pet lovers.
Has it been a smooth road?
The most important thing is to have a dream to achieve and set goals short and long term, along the way you’ll encounter many obstacles, starting a business can be challenging, paperwork, financial situation, personal or health issues, obligations, frustrations, depletion, stress, etc. It is important to define your mission, vision, values to be your banner and not drop them. At times I wonder if I’m doing the right thing because it involves many things having your own business, especially time and dedication, but when I see the answer of people and 100% acceptance is when I realize that I am correct, that my “why and what for” make sense.
A recommendation is that they seek support in free counseling centers for small businesses such as Women’s Business Center and SBDC (Small Business Development Center), they have advisers in many areas such as paperwork, financing, marketing, business plan, etc.
We’d love to hear more about Mexican Heart.
I have a Bachelors Degree in Foreign Trade and Customs; for almost 20 years I have worked in the field of Import, Export, Logistics, Transportation, Distribution, Warehouse for major companies in Mexico and the United States and decided to apply my experience and knowledge to undertake my new business. I am in charge of contacting my suppliers, making the negotiations, selecting the products, making the purchases, receiving and reviewing the merchandise, labeling it, carrying out the customs formalities to be imported to the USA, contracting the transport, making the sales and plan the distribution. It is a lot of work, but I make sure that the whole process is being carried out in the proper way so that the products reach its destination.
I am very proud to start this business, Mexican Heart it’s a dream come true. This business not only fulfill my objective of commercializing and promoting Mexican artisan products in another country, but I directly and indirectly support other sectors of the supply chain, for example:
1.- By buying artisan products, we are supporting the economy of Mexican artisans and generating more jobs.
2.- To publicize internationally the talent of our Mexican artisans with handmade products, unique and sometimes unrepeatable pieces, since they are made based on their inspiration.
3.- We make the products available to people who appreciate the Mexican art of handmade products.
4.- The supplier of our products donates 10% of its sales to abandoned and/or abused pet shelters in Mexico, we are contributing our grain of sand to this noble cause.
5.- This Project allows me to continue developing my knowledge and applying my work experience.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
To develop my project, I have relied heavily on local institutions such as Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, Women’s Business Center, SBDC (Small Business Development Center), the last two centers are great support for small businesses and the advice is completely free, they have highly trained personnel. I highly recommended them.
Contact Info:
- Address: Mailing Address:
830 Kuhn Drive Unit #211202
Chula Vista, CA 91921 - Website: www.mexican-heart.com
- Phone: (760) 455-2271
- Email: mjimenez@mexican-heart.com
- Instagram: @mexicanheart.usa
- Facebook: @mexicanheart.usa
Image Credit:
Hector Jimenez
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