Meet Patricia Rincon: Owner of Pati-Ya Boutique

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

Hi Patricia, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I spent the first part of the pandemic unemployed. In between job searching, applications, and interviews, I started making jewelry, candles, and terrariums. I kept producing new items and gifting them – ultimately finding myself with a surplus of ready to go unique pieces. While catching up with a friend – I expressed the idea of making this into some sort of business. We talked about start-up costs, what a business model could look like and what the mission would be. This is how Pati-Ya came to be. My small-business with a focus on sustainability, promoting a circular economy, and items made in small and unique batches. The best part about it is that I found a way to give back to the community by donating 25% each month to a social or environmental non-profit.

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 make three different types of art; candles, succulents, and jewelry. Each with its own creative process and story. The hand-poured soy wax candles are made in small batches and unique vessels – with a variety of seasonal scents. All of the candle jars are either gifted, recycled, or thrifted. The funnest ones – have been those that we have found in the back of an aisle at local thrift shops and were previously sugar cups or gravy tins from the 1920s and 30s. When the jars aren’t quite the right size or style for our candles, I plant succulents in them and upcycle those jars. Sometimes they are decorated with various types and styles of beading around the mouth of the jar to give it some extra sass. All of the succulents, I’ve been cultivating in my family’s garden for years, and it’s been so much fun sharing this with our local community. With the jewelry – I try using upcycled beads to produce really unique pieces that you might not be able to find at a typical store. Some of these have more of a vintage look, others are a bit retro – and some are just different and fun. What I’ve loved the most about it all is that I am able to take an item (like the candle and succulent vessels) and give them a brand new purpose. I never know what type of jar I will find – but when I do, I let it inspire what end result will be. I’ve learned so much about my products in the past year since starting this business. Particularly, what scents people are most attracted to and the types of vessels and colors they gravitate to. It’s been extremely fulfilling to talk with people at markets and create connections with customers and fellow vendors. I’m excited to continue producing vintage-style pieces, and I hope this year we are able to increase the number of products made and in turn, our monthly contribution to non-profits.

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.
If my best friend was visiting the area – without a doubt the first stop would be food! I’m Venezuelan, and in Portland, there is a great Venezuelan-Mexican fusion restaurant called Teote on the East Side. We would get some drinks, catch up, and then head to dessert at Eb & Bean, a delicious local ice cream shop with tons of dairy-free options. After this, the rest of the week would be dedicated to local shops, markets, and spending time outside! The top three places would be in Eastern Oregon, where we could go hike around Smith Rock, take a look at the Painted Hills, and then go get a local brew in Bend, Oregon. Some of the most fun and interesting things to do are to eat and spend time in nature! You will never have the same experience twice, and you will learn something every time. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Throughout the creation of this business, my brother became my silent business partner. Going on thrift store runs with me, helping me test batches of candles, and attending markets with me. The first few months of Pati-Ya as a business would not have been as successful or even possible without his support. Gracias Beto!

Website: https://www.pati-ya.com/

Instagram: @patiyaboutique

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

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatiYa