Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Martinez.
Hi Vanessa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my small business during the pandemic, started out as a hobby to keep myself busy. I like to think that I’ve always had this creative side of me. I like to make something out of nothing. It started out by just making little things for myself and my friends, they later encouraged me to make a business out of it. That’s where Montse’s Prickly Pear was born! Montserrat is my middle name, so that’s where that came about, as for the prickly pear part it’s a fruit from a cactus, which is very popular where I’m originally from, (Matehuala, San Luis Potosi).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Thankfully it has been a very smooth road. The amount of support I’ve gotten not only from my family and friends but just random people was very surprising and appreciated! Started taking orders through my Instagram page @the.prickly.pearr and then later on joined different pop up markets around Houston. I have just been growing my following since then.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and do custom shirts for my customers. They send me their ideas and I make them come to life. I know there are plenty of people that do what I do, but we all of course have our own style. I feel like mine is a little all over the place, I have my country/rock/vintage and groovy kind of look for my shirts. My tie-dye and bleached shirts have to be my favorite.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the diversity of this city!! I love how there’s something for everyone just like in my shop! As for something that I don’t like would probably be how long it takes to get from one side of the city to the other! Houston is so big and the traffic is just growing, but it still doesn’t stop me from going out and exploring.
Contact Info:
- Email: vanemontse@icloud.com
- Instagram: @the.prickly.pearr
- Facebook: @the.prickly.pearr
