We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina / Paco Montestruque and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina / Paco, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As parents running our own business, we didn’t think much about balance in the beginning. We were too focused on handling the demands of parenthood and entrepreneurship while keeping our customers happy. But as time passed, we learned that balance is crucial, especially as artists. We realized that to thrive creatively and professionally, we needed to take care of ourselves and avoid burnout. So, we made a schedule that divided our time between work, family, and rest. Following this schedule helped us manage our time better, keep our energy up, and take care of both our business and our family. Through trial and error, we found that maintaining this balance not only satisfied our customers but also kept our passion and creativity alive for the long haul. In the end, finding work-life balance means making sure you’re giving enough time to both your work and your personal life, so you can succeed in both areas without getting overwhelmed.

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.
Together, our shared passion for art and entrepreneurship forms the foundation of our journey as self-employed individuals. We draw inspiration from our backgrounds and experiences, driving us to pursue our dreams and build a business that reflects our artistic vision and values. We believe that our diverse cultural backgrounds have enriched our creative perspectives in unique ways. celebrating the beauty of diversity in every design and jewelry piece.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love spending time outdoors in Los Angeles, especially running through the scenic Santa Monica Mountains and relaxing on the beautiful beaches. I highly recommend visitors to take advantage of these breathtaking landscapes for a day of adventure. My husband and I also enjoy exploring the city’s flea markets and local events, where we often discover unique art pieces and vintage fashion treasures. These outings support local artists like us. Here are some of the ones we love to visit; Melrose Trading Post, Smorgasburg – not only will you find great artists also great food plus many farmers markets that are around LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our children have been our driving force, constantly inspiring us and motivating us to expand our business. Their presence have always reminded us of the importance of our work, not just for ourselves but for our family’s future. In many ways, they are our greatest supporters and the reason we keep pushing forward, even during the toughest times.

Website: www.montestruque.com

Instagram: _Montestruque_

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Montestruque_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montestruque

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.