Meet Maria Garcia: Latina Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, how do you think about risk?
I like to think that taking risks has been a reoccurring event in my life. Whether that meant joining the varsity soccer team in high school without any prior experience, or starting my own youtube channel with nothing but my cellphone camera. It’s always been so exciting to start from an idea and creating something tangible. That’s how Del Carmen was born. It started as an idea/ research project that I initiated with little to no money. But that’s the awesome thing about taking risks, you know where you started and you never know where you’ll end up. Even though risks are scary, I like to think that I don’t have anything to lose. Even if I fail, I gained a valuable lesson. I once heard that the biggest dream killer is doubt. The fear to even start. I like to take my chances because I’ll never know where something can take me.

What should our readers know about your business?
Del Carmen is a Latina-owned business, as well as a Dreamer-owned business. The reason this is so important for people to know is that aside from it just being a clothing brand it’s a dream that’s providing for a family. A dream that probably seemed so impossible to my parents when we came to the United States. My motivation to keep persevering comes from them. I always saw them struggle financially, and I want to change that with what I was blessed with. Running a business while being the main breadwinner at home has had a lot of challenges but at the same time, it’s helped build character for what’s to come. It has gotten so hard recently having to work my job and run a business on my own. But I know that good thing take time. Del Carmen has become an outlet where I can creatively express myself and reach so many people through clothing. Although trials come and go I know this dream will persevere.

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.
I’d start off our day by grabbing some coffee at Laveta in Echo Park. I love their vanilla iced lattes and the staff is super awesome. Not to mention that the location is in the outskirts of DTLA, which has a lot to offer. Next, we’d grab brunch at Home Restaurant in Silver lake. The menu has so many options it’s the perfect place to grab any meal. My favorite meal there are the chilaquiles, they’re so tasty. Another great restaurant that is a MUST try is La Guelaguetza in Mid City LA. It’s authentic Oaxacan cooking and I recommend anything on that menu, especially the Coloradito Mole. Not only is the food yummy but the owners are the best people ever.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I can NEVER say I’m self-made because I am so blessed to have the best people around me helping me reach my goals. Del Carmen would not be where it is now without my fiance, Steve. Steve is Del Carmen’s photographer. Aside from being an amazing life partner, he is the ultimate creative genius. Without him, my creative ideas would just be that, ideas. Another group of people who I can’t thank enough is my family, especially my sister Daniela and my dad Jose. They will literally get their hands on anything that needs to get done. They’ve helped me pack orders while I’m at work, deliver them, and simple acts like those, make a world of a difference. Lastly, my customers, thanks to them showing up I can continue pursuing this crazy dream of mine.

Website: https://shopdelcarmen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopdelcarmen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopdelcarmen

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

Image Credits
Steve Salazar from Salazar Moments