Meet Vanessa Sanchez | Owner and Designer, Nice Cosas

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

Hi Vanessa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always loved fabric and textiles, and have been sewing since 2008. I have a little shop on Etsy that’s been a great creative outlet for me over the years, but I never had the time to devote to making it a full-time business. Right before everything shut down due to the pandemic in early 2020, my husband was laid off from his job. His was our only income, and after the initial shock and panic, we decided it was time to turn my years long hobby into an official business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I never considered myself a true “artist” but over the years have realized that I am! I create art through textiles, and curate fabric collections so that others can create their own textile art. I am Mexican-American and have always been very proud of my culture and where I come from. The things I create, usually reflect that, and the fabric I sell in my shop is mostly Latino Culture inspired. I always wanted to have a business where I could be creative, and decided to launch Nice Cosas, which translates to “Nice Things,” during the pandemic lockdown in early 2020. It was not easy by any means, but I have worked very hard to build this business. It’s young, and there are still challenges to overcome, but I am dedicated to its success. One of the best lessons I’ve learned, is about about the importance of building a community. It’s our community that keeps us striving to be better. Small businesses need constant tending which can sometimes lead to burnout. Taking time for myself to regroup, on a regular basis helps keep that at bay. What I want the world to know about Nice Cosas is that we all deserve nice things. We all deserve to nurture and treat ourselves on a regular basis, not just on “special” occasions, and that is what I hope people feel when they shop with us.

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.
This is a great question! I actually have a group of “sewing” friends I met through Instagram, that have come to visit me a couple of times, and these are a few of the places I took them!

Auntie’s in Whittier, CA – A great little restaurant that is a converted house, perfect for breakfast or lunch. The food is delicious, the ambiance is awesome, and they have the best scratch baked goods.

Bizarra Capital also in Whittier, CA. is hands down the best Mexican food in the San Gabriel Valley. It’s my favorite restaurant, period. The food is consistently crazy delicious, and the salsa is out of this world.

Gonz Decorations Inc. specializes in Mexican tile and home decor. It’s beautiful, and they have some of the best Mexican decor in Southern California. It’s a must visit!

Oh Comadre Candles is a candle and gift shop in Downey that specializes in Latino culture inspired candle scents, like Horchata and Abuelita Chocolate. It’s a fun little shop!

For fabric people (like me), M & L fabrics in Anaheim is a must visit, and the Downtown LA fabric district as well.

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?
The biggest shoutout goes to my family, especially my husband Oscar, my oldest daughter Sabrina, and my parents.

Website: www.nicecosas.com

Instagram: @nicecosas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nicecosas

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nice_cosas

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicecosas2916

Image Credits
Photos : Sabrina Sanchez