Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Flores.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sew Bonita started in 2014 as a way to get some creative juices flowing. I wanted to learn how to sew and make things, and not knowing how, I signed up for lessons near and far, and taught myself how to sew. I also wanted to design shirts that reflect my Mexican-American culture, and combined the two to create Sew Bonita.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. Working full time and side hustling demands structure. And juggling a personal life in between two jobs can be daunting. But I’ve learned how to schedule my time wisely and be able to focus on the tasks at hand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We just opened our first Brick and Mortar store in Corpus Christi, TX in Hamlin Shopping Center. This has been a lifelong dream of mine. And though I’m still working full time, and the store is open on weekends, it has been such an adventurous journey. I wanted to create a space where my community can find things that reflect the culture, and gifts that are unique in their own way. I also wanted to wholesale from my Latinx community and fellow creatives. Our store can also be used to host unique pop ups and educational workshops. Sew Bonita is a place of culture, love, growth and community, and I’m so blessed to have found my home in Corpus Christi, TX.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success isn’t linear. To me, success is doing what you love with every ounce of you and taking pride in your craft. I love seeing our customers smile and soak up the energy that is around us. Adding a little bit of color into the world makes it shine more!
Contact Info:
- Email: elena@sewbonita.com
- Website: sewbonita.com
- Instagram: @sewbonita
- Facebook: sewbonitacc
Image Credits
Robert Gomez
Carlos Villareal
