Meet Ana Alfaro-Chean | DVINE by Ana

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Alfaro-Chean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Honduras but I came to live in the U.S. at the age of five. It’s been a blessing to have grown up here, in LA, and be able to take advantage of so many great opportunities that I would’ve never had back in Honduras. I was raised by a single mother who was and still is my biggest role model. Even when times were tough, she would still wake up every morning, go to work and raise me. My mother taught me to be independent, strong and to never stop working on becoming the best version of myself. Her love and support has truly shaped me into the woman and business owner I am today.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
DVINE by Ana is a Latina and DACA-owned trendy women’s clothing brand based in Los Angeles, CA. My vision for DVINE by Ana has always been to encourage women to feel beautiful in their own skin but also to inspire women to achieve their goals. The idea of starting my own business grew from my desire to become my own boss and be the first in my family to branch out and build a legacy. With my love for fashion and experience in retail/customer service, I knew I was capable of starting my own business. However, it hasn’t been easy at all. I’ve had many challenges along the way because I’m a first-time business owner. I had zero experience in how to start or run a business. I didn’t know how to build a website, file the paperwork I needed to start a business, or how to do marketing. It took a lot of hours of doing research, watching YouTube videos and asking others for help. Remaining positive, being patient, and trusting God above all else helped me overcome these challenges. I have now shipped about 3,000 orders all over the U.S. and that has been life-changing for me. The amount of support I have received is nothing like I imagined. I am extremely grateful for every customer and those who continue to believe in me and my brand. Throughout these two years as a business owner I’ve realized that great things never come from comfort zones. If you’re not willing to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on. I hope my story can inspire other women and Dreamers to never stop chasing their dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for a week long trip I would definitely take them to Disneyland. Who doesn’t love the happiest place on earth? We would go for two days so we can enjoy it to the fullest. We’d get on all the rides and eat all the delicious foods and drinks at both parks. I would also take them to Universal Studios Hollywood to enjoy the rides and shows. We’d finish the day shopping around at Universal Studios City Walk and enjoy dinner at a restaurant there. The following days I’d taken to my favorite coffee shops and breakfast spots in Burbank, CA. My favorite breakfast restaurant is MexCocina (delicious chilaquiles) and my favorite coffee shop is CaraVana. Porto’s Bakery is also always a must if you’re in southern CA, so I would definitely take them there too. We’d also take a trip down to the beach; Malibu is one of my favorites. Before heading to the beach we would stop at SushiStop in Studio City, CA to pick up some sushi rolls to-go. Lastly, we can’t forgot to go out to a nice rooftop dinner in Downtown LA. Some of my favorite rooftop restaurants are Perch and Cara Cara.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and close friends have been my number one supporters since day one. They’ve been rooting for me since the day I told them I had this crazy idea of starting my own business. I dedicate this shoutout to them. Even on the days that I don’t believe in myself, I can always count on any of them for encouragement.

There’s one person I’m extra grateful for and it’s my husband, Junior. Not only does he help me with my product photos but also helps me with everything I need such as dropping off packages at the post office, picking up inventory, accounting and so much more. I’m forever grateful for my support system.

Website: https://dvinebyana.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvinebyana/?hl=en

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dvinebyana?_t=8WUPFXaznnG&_r=1

Image Credits
-Savannah Avila (@vannahavila) -Breanna Lopez (@breannareneelopez) -Kathy Osorio (@kcoral_) -Clariza Mendez (@clariiii_187) -Ashley Berry (@berrynthings) -Alexus Camacho (@suxelaohcamac)