We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jacqueline, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Born in Los Angeles California, I am first generation Mexican American. My parents were born into the poverty of Mexico. Both sides of my parents family came to find themselves leaving Mexico to find a better life by moving into East Los Angeles California, what is also known to me as my second home. I think at an early age I knew by watching my parents always striving for more I began to understand the value of hard work. I know from my own personal experiences and my parents experiences what it felt like to live in a lower class envirment. And from those vulnerable experiences, my vulnerability became my own strength to help me shape and strive so that I could achieve my dreams of opening my own store.
What should our readers know about your business?
Shop Silver began in 2013 when I began to compose my unique style off the racks of local thrift shops. With an eye for vintage, I quickly caught attention from the outfits I would create. I began selling hand selected pieces to close friends and peers. The nick name “Silver” arose and Shop Silver began to manifest. I always encourage expression through clothing thats why each piece is hand selected to keep your wardrobe as unique as you are you.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a big foodie I would take them to my favorite breakfast spot in Highland Park called Kitchen Mouse and recomend their chilaquiles and then venture off to Pasanda Hunting Gardens to relax and walk around their beautiful gardens .From there we would cruse over to a museum or gallery maybe gab some vegan yogurt from Yoga-urt on Sunset. And then last but not least end up at my favorite French dining spot located in China Town called Oriel and introduce my friend to my favorite salad Niçoise Sesame seared yellowfin tuna.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As I reflect back I give credit to my Father who helped refine the women I am today. There’s no handbook that tells a father just exactly how to raise a daughter, so there is a great amount of respect that I have for him, especially as a single parent. He taught me the importance of how to earn things by valuing the process of working hard. If I wanted something such as new clothes, shoes, or even essentials it was then where he taught me the value of how to work and earn it. His most famous quote “You gotta earn it” every time he mentioned those words to me, no matter how upset I would be, in the end I realized how grateful I was to have him as my father, because apart of me knew that what I truly desired for my future was going to be something I had to fully earn all by myself. These were the early stepping stones of making my dreams come into reality, and they were his words of encouragement, and wise mentorship that I’ve applied into my own personal growth.
Website: https://www.shopsilverstore.com
Instagram: @shopsilver