Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Leiva.
Sandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I initially started blogging back in December of 2016, it had always been on my mind to do it but I finally made the decision to start. I went to school for Fashion and Retail Management and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2013. I felt a little disappointed in myself at not pursuing my passion sooner but it’s better to start than never right? My main goal is to build a brand for myself and become financially independent by building a brand that not only features my original designs but also helps and empowers women and eventually the world to become a better and best version of themselves. With so many issues going on in the world I feel that people can find confidence and self-love through fashion.
Eventually, my biggest goal is to create a foundation that gives back because at the end of the day that’s what I believe our purpose as human beings is. To help other rise up, my foundation will consist of mainly helping those in third world countries and countries that have a lot of poverty through fashion, in doing so creating something of a buy an item from Mari Sabe and a proceed or another item will be donated to someone in need. I’m aware many others are doing this already but the more the merrier, right? And someone has to continue the cycle as long as we’re helping each other. I want to start by becoming locally known here in my city, as of now I’m in the working phase.
My life is currently a cycle of my full-time job, working out 5-6 days a week, working on my business Mari Sabe (that consists of photo shoots, scheduling, planning, writing and meeting amazing new people.) I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I come from a humble background, with the same story as many my parents gave me all they could but we never lived a luxurious life so now I work to give them everything and more one day. I am tired of seeing and hearing there’s never enough, “we can’t eat this, we can’t go here because there’s never enough.” That cycle will end because I am committed to work for it and will outwork anyone around me. I know it’s gonna take time, patience, willpower, stepping out of my comfort zone and sacrifice to get to my goal but I will get there. People have to hear my story so they can be inspired.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The option to start a business on your own is never a smooth road. Aside from the lack of money and awareness, there’s always competition, comparisons, challenges and negativity that surrounds us every single day. This is not a physical game, this is more of a mental toughness battle. Learning to be okay with maybe not getting enough likes than someone else that has lesser followers, learning to cope with not comparing yourself to others and their life on social media, learning to love yourself is all a challenge of its own while building a business.
Not seeing the results you want when you want them, seeing others rise quicker and many more things play a huge role in why people quit. The pressure of social media has become a huge issue in our society and generation today and we unfortunately sometimes let it get to us (I raise my hand to that first.) Because we’re human and emotional beings it’s hard to learn to have control of these things but it’s not impossible. We have to get to a point where we can be okay and happy with where we are currently at and learn to ENJOY the process!
Something I personally struggle with myself. There’s always gonna be a past and a future but sometimes we neglect the present and that will kill us in the long run. Enjoy the moment, be grateful for the things you have now because as cliche as this may sound… one day that will make your story.
Mari Sabe – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is an online women’s clothing boutique. I am also a fashion blogger that specializes in showcasing ready to wear fashion for women. Something that sets me apart from other bloggers I believe is 1. My DIY Fashion, I re-create thrifted, old, boring or even men’s clothing into something modern, feminine and chic. I recently started doing this by creating funny skits while incorporating my DIY fashion and “How to, Step by Step” video instructions. 2. My online boutique, because I’m currently very small I can’t always blog Mari Sabe wear 100% but I try my best to always incorporate an item from my boutique in my blog posts.
Something I’m mostly proud of is honestly as of now the struggle for awareness and growth. That’s such a weird thing to be proud of but I know in my heart that because I’m having to work extra hard to put myself out there and build brand awareness my growth is going to be huge! I have nothing but excitement for my business and myself in the future and I will one day take pride on the struggle it was to build it.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is definitely not defined by a dollar amount or materialistic things, of course, those things can definitely come with success but do you feel fulfilled? Do you feel like you’ve realized and accomplished your why’s? What I mean by that is that there’s always gotta be a why behind everything one does. You have to have a why that’s big enough to drive you to succeed. I know I will reach success when I can finally tell my parents “here’s $2000 a month for you guys, use it towards whatever you’d like.” I know I will reach success when I’m able to be the go-to for my family when an emergency happens and I don’t hesitate and raise my hand and say “I’ll help” not to boast or be glorified but because I have the resources to finally help.
I know I’ll reach success when every Mother’s and Father’s Day I can get my parents something more than just a small flower bouquet or a dress shirt from Macy’s (not that there’s anything wrong with those gifts and of course gifts will never amount to everything we owe our parents) but I wish I could get them so much more and see that surprised look on their face. That’s when I know I’ve reached success, I don’t believe success to be a certain date or a certain goal reached or a certain amount of money attained, it’s really done you feel fulfilled? Do you feel happy? That’s how I define success.
Pricing:
- Affordable Clothing for women, No more than $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marisabe.com
- Email: marisabe042817@gmail.com
- Instagram: mari_sabe
- Facebook: mari7sabe
Image Credit:
Mauricio – Instagram: @mavricioh
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