Today we’d like to introduce you to Annastasia Mondragon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Annastasia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been a very crafty person, always trying to do it myself. I was a prek teacher for three years and that is the original reason I bought a Cricut, so that I can make bulletin board designs and classroom decor. When I had my second daughter I decided to stay home since she had a little bit of trouble at first. But I am not a person to just sit around and do nothing, so I started making birthday shirts on the side for family members and donating decor to school classrooms. One night I thought to myself what if I put myself out there? So, I sponsored a big local makeup artist’s swag bag and started an Instagram and that’s where the business began. I started with shirts and vinyl decal cups and grew to tumblers. I absolutely love doing tumblers now, there are so many combinations I can do. Those are my most popular item now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has been a handful of struggles along the way. My top three would have been:
1) finding a rhythm for being a mom, wife, and business owner. Since I worked from home it made it hard to separate work from mom life at first especially with two kids under five. There were plenty of times I had to redo an order because my daughters had me distracted so something went wrong. There are still plenty of times I spill glitter on the floor and my youngest decides to swim in it! I’ve learned to take a day at a time. Even if I may have a list of orders, I can only focus on a handful at a time so I can still juggle my mom life at the same time.
2) doing research on a product before just buying it. I learned to research a new product or new distributor before ordering something for the business. I bought a new brand of epoxy and learned that it did not work very well in our humid climate so that whole investment went in the drain.
3) do not compare yourself. We all tell ourselves in life not to compare ourselves to others but it is truly hard sometimes especially if you’re running a business. I’ve learned to run my business how I’d like to without comparing others who may do the same thing as me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mondragon Design & Stuff – what should we know?
We make customized and personalized stainless-steel tumblers, mugs, cold cups, straw toppers, cold color changing cups, resin art, and sometimes shirts and decals. We do sell ready to sell cups and resin items sometimes but most of are personalized by each customer. We take our customers inspiration in mind and make their vision come to life. The look on their face when the cup is revealed truly just warms my heart.
I am most proud of the how much my customers trust my creativity. My creativity truly shows in my work because I get orders every day that give me just a color and a name and say “I want you to do what you do. I trust you”. It is an amazing feeling for people to trust you and believe in your process. I think that is what sets me apart from others. I will work to please you and truly put your inspiration to mind. Tumblers are not made overnight but i make it worth the wait. I want you to love your cup that you always want to use it.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family has been so supportive. My husband and my daughters deserve a bunch of credit. My husband works a bunch but on the days he is off, he helps me with whatever I may need. He has always been supportive even if it sounds like a crazy idea. My oldest daughter has seen how supportive my husband is that she will come into my office to check on me sometimes. She may only be five but I can see that she believes in me. I have also met a bunch of amazing business women that will not only give me business tips or advice but they will message me when they see a new product I should try or a local store selling resin products. I am so eternally grateful I have a great support system.
Contact Info:
- Email: mondragondesignnstuff@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mondragondesignnstuff/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Product-Service/Mondragon-Designs-Stuff-100103541397291/
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