Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulina Webb.
Hi Paulina, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Luca Love was founded in 2014, but our story begins long before we ever made our first bracelet and doesn’t have as much to do with jewelry as it does with family.
Every summer growing up, my sister and I would pack our bags and fly from Houston to Medellin, where we would spend time with our giant, tightly-knit Hispanic family. We were raised by our grandparents, tias, and uncles, just as much as we were by our own parents.
Life in Colombia taught us great lessons, but the greatest of all came with our grandfather Gabriel and uncle Luis Carlos’ passing. As we said our goodbyes, we were approached by countless strangers who were eager to share stories about our grandfather and Uncle. We soon noticed a commonality in these experiences; no matter how brief the encounter, Gabriel and Luis Carlos’ selflessness, kindness, and acts of service created a legacy.
Although deeply saddening, their loss revealed the undeniable impact a single person can have in the world. This inspired us to live a life of service and to create something that matters.
After participating in a study abroad program at the University of Houston, Paulina founded Luca Love with the purpose of creating a positive impact through entrepreneurship.
Family continues to be the driving force behind our business. Luca Love is run by Marleny and her daughters, Paulina and Daniela and a team of amazing women in Houston and Medellin.
We are committed to creating meaningful connections and transformative experiences that empower individuals to reach their fullest potential. By cultivating a community of individuals who strive to be their best selves, we aim to inspire positive change and contribute to the greater good.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants. Remembering the stories of those who came before us can give us the identity, strength, and pride we need to survive whatever comes our way.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been everything but smooth. Especially because we didn’t pick an easy route. We do nearly everything in-house. From creating the best production process in Colombia to expanding sales in the U.S., we have come across plenty of struggles along the way. It’s been a lot of years of learning, adapting, and finding the best solution to the obstacles that come our way, especially because we are always looking to scale and become better at what we do.
As you know, we’re big fans of Luca Love. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are on a mission to create a world where everyone has the tools and opportunities to experience their highest potential.
Our current areas of focus are employment and education in Colombia.
We believe in the talent of our people and strive to become a platform for their work to be known around the world.
All of our handmade products are crafted by highly skilled artisan women in Medellin, Colombia. We’ve taught each of these women how to recreate our pieces, and they have taken this skill and made it their own. We are known for the quality of our work and for the love we put into everything we do.
Apart from our products, we are known for The Hyest Foundation, a self-funded non-profit platform that is dedicated to creating a tangible impact in the world. At our core, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience their full potential, and access to education is a cornerstone of achieving this goal.
Through our work, we strive to remove the barriers that stand between individuals and their dreams. Our current focus is on providing a free English education program to students in the rural school of La Esmeralda, where access to quality educational resources can be limited. By empowering these students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, we are creating a brighter future for them and their communities.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For us, success is a collective journey. It’s about empowering individuals, both the talented artisan women we work with in Colombia and the students in rural areas through our education program, to reach their fullest potential. It’s also about our customers and supporters who believe in our mission and choose to shop with us, knowing that their support directly contributes to positive change in communities. Success means creating a ripple effect of empowerment and opportunity, where everyone involved, from our artisans to our customers, feels the impact of their contribution towards a brighter future for all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luca-love.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucalove.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucalovebracelets/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lucalovebracelets7223
