Meet Jan Delos Santos | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jan Delos Santos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jan, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The funny thing is, I didn’t think about this that much when I started it. Maarte was actually pushed forward by impulse. One day, I was browsing Etsy and felt like it was missing the punny Filipino quips and quotes I laughed at growing up . The next thing I know, I was listing them on Etsy myself. This turned into a huge wave of designing and creating that I am still trying to keep up with myself. Maarte went from 20 listings to 150 in a year and I keep adding new designs whenever I can.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I grew up in the Philippines and moved to California in my early 20’s. It feels like having that experience of growing up twice and in two different countries taught me so much. It was a very unique experience because I was immersed into a different culture right when I was supposed to be learning more about myself as an adult.

I’m the youngest of three and have spent the least time with our parents who had to move abroad for work. That made me very independent and growing up, I was very aware of what and how my older sisters did so I would not make the same mistake if they ever did. I moved to the US with one of my sisters so I did not have anyone to look up to and had to pave my own way here. Those times were filled with so much uncertainty that I’ve learned to love change, I don’t think I have ever been more spontaneous than during that time in my life. That spontaneity turned into something else once we had our dogs then our child.

As our kid is becoming more independent, I have made more time for myself, and have also allowed myself to take breaks from making sure everyone is alright at every moment of everyday. Maarte is actually a part of this whole transition. It allowed me to have something that’s fully mine–I create things that make me happy and it allows me to share that with the world. I still try to look at Maarte as a hobby more than it is a business because making things for the shop recharges me like nothing else can.

I started Maarte because I cannot find art and merchandise that caters to first-generation and second-generation Filipino immigrants. As I myself am experiencing how I pass on our culture to my son who is a second-gen, I learn more and more what clicks for the two generations. My Filipino designs are a mix of what our parents have said to us and what we are also now saying. It is the absolute best feeling when I hear customers cackle and giggle while looking at my designs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Almost all my best friends are out of the US, my life-long friends definitely are and I’ve fantasized about this idea so many times before. I would love to take my best friend to a road trip and visit as many national parks as we can in a week. Maybe Joshua Tree, then up to Utah for Zion and Bryce Canyon and further up to Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. If they prefer to be in here in California, we’ll most likely go to Disneyland and California Adventure because we both like going there then drive up the scenic route to San Francisco to visit our other friend. We have done this before but in reverse and I would not mind doing it again if it means I get to spend time with them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is this group in my phone called Voltes V. The people in that group chat have always supported whatever it is or was I was getting myself into. I will always be thankful for how they show up, for picking up my calls and for making me feel secure about everything. They are my pillars and I’m beyond lucky to have them in my life.

Website: maartebyjan.co

Instagram: maartebyjan

Image Credits
Ronald Delos Santos