Oh I just love handmade don't you? Knowing that someone meticulously made something by hand adds more value and in my opinion, is often a higher quality. When I heard about Ana Mari Ortega and her hand crafted pieces I was in awe over her dedication and success. Her Paoloa Clutch in Royal Blue is just gorgeous! Read on to hear about Ana, the newest Thriving Under Thirty respondent.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Miami to Cuban parents (the norm around here). I am a current affairs junkie, which led me to study international relations at George Washington University. I began creating jewelry in my spare time in D.C., and after a very successful trunk show over spring break my senior year I decided to move back home and pursue it full time!
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Sometimes I get the designer’s version of “writer’s block” - there are days that the creative juices are not flowing and it can be very frustrating. Luckily, those are few and far between. The most difficult part of my job is day to day sales. I am an incredibly outgoing and talkative person, but I become very shy when it comes to selling and promoting myself and my brand! I have been making an effort to be a better ambassador for my own brand.
What part of your job do you have the most fun with: designing, the process of putting the items together, or sales?
Designing and creating the items are definitely the most fun. Making jewelry is like therapy! Unfortunately it is a double edged sword because the more my business grows, the more I give up creating the items myself. However, I try to carve out time to make things at least once a week. Working with numbers and sales are not my strong suit, but are just as important at the fun stuff!
Where do you get inspiration for new designs from?
A lot of the pieces in my collection, in both jewelry and handbags, are simple and timeless items that I think would be staples in any woman’s closet. I try to always create things that a woman could wear 5 years from now. Much of my inspiration also comes from my clients themselves. I have gotten to know many of them throughout the last 6 years of doing this, so I think of them often when I am designing. Certain details, like the length of necklaces, the weight of earrings, the placement of clasps, etc, are determined by feedback that I have received from the women I have worked with.
What advice do you have for individuals looking to break into fashion design?
1) Learn every aspect of the business: When I told my parents I wanted to pursue this full time, they encouraged me to learn the very basics of jewelry fabrication and work my way up from there. In any business, you need to know the ins and outs so that when you grow no one can give you the runaround as you begin to outsource production. I spent a year studying under a German master jewelry who has a school here in Miami, and then I obtained a degree in accessory design from the art school in Miami.
2) Become organized before you sell: Research the proper licenses and permits you need to operate and register to collect sales tax in your state. Meet with an accountant to learn how to maintain your books. It is a lot easier to start off on the right foot than having to learn everything retroactively.
3) Don’t be easily disappointed: This is a very difficult and competitive business. No matter how hard you work, sometimes things won’t go your way, so don’t get discouraged. Someone shared this little graph on Facebook (see attached) that sums up how many small business owners feel. I was happy to see that I wasn’t the only one that felt that way.
Do you have any events in North Florida you will be selling at in the near future? Do you have any other events coming up you would like me to mention?
I have a client in Jacksonville that will order items that she sees and likes on Instagram, but I have never been up there for a trunk show. Maybe its time! I partner with many charitable organizations and do trunk shows throughout the year. In the new year, I will be a featured vendor at a wonderful event called “Wine, Women & Shoes” (doesn’t it sounds amazing?) which benefits Miami Children’s Hospital.
What has your bestselling item been?
My bestselling jewelry item is a single baroque pearl necklace on a delicate gold chain. I have been making it for years and it is beautiful, easy to wear and very affordable!
My best selling handbag is the “Karina” clutch. It is a slim, envelope clutch that holds the basics for a night out. I have one in black and I wear it every weekend.
In addition to Free shipping Ana is offering 15% off your entire order with the coupon code "thriving15." Get some Christmas shopping done for your sister, your mom, or drop a hint to your significant other and use her coupon. ;)
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Miami to Cuban parents (the norm around here). I am a current affairs junkie, which led me to study international relations at George Washington University. I began creating jewelry in my spare time in D.C., and after a very successful trunk show over spring break my senior year I decided to move back home and pursue it full time!
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Sometimes I get the designer’s version of “writer’s block” - there are days that the creative juices are not flowing and it can be very frustrating. Luckily, those are few and far between. The most difficult part of my job is day to day sales. I am an incredibly outgoing and talkative person, but I become very shy when it comes to selling and promoting myself and my brand! I have been making an effort to be a better ambassador for my own brand.
What part of your job do you have the most fun with: designing, the process of putting the items together, or sales?
Designing and creating the items are definitely the most fun. Making jewelry is like therapy! Unfortunately it is a double edged sword because the more my business grows, the more I give up creating the items myself. However, I try to carve out time to make things at least once a week. Working with numbers and sales are not my strong suit, but are just as important at the fun stuff!
Where do you get inspiration for new designs from?
A lot of the pieces in my collection, in both jewelry and handbags, are simple and timeless items that I think would be staples in any woman’s closet. I try to always create things that a woman could wear 5 years from now. Much of my inspiration also comes from my clients themselves. I have gotten to know many of them throughout the last 6 years of doing this, so I think of them often when I am designing. Certain details, like the length of necklaces, the weight of earrings, the placement of clasps, etc, are determined by feedback that I have received from the women I have worked with.
What advice do you have for individuals looking to break into fashion design?
1) Learn every aspect of the business: When I told my parents I wanted to pursue this full time, they encouraged me to learn the very basics of jewelry fabrication and work my way up from there. In any business, you need to know the ins and outs so that when you grow no one can give you the runaround as you begin to outsource production. I spent a year studying under a German master jewelry who has a school here in Miami, and then I obtained a degree in accessory design from the art school in Miami.
2) Become organized before you sell: Research the proper licenses and permits you need to operate and register to collect sales tax in your state. Meet with an accountant to learn how to maintain your books. It is a lot easier to start off on the right foot than having to learn everything retroactively.
3) Don’t be easily disappointed: This is a very difficult and competitive business. No matter how hard you work, sometimes things won’t go your way, so don’t get discouraged. Someone shared this little graph on Facebook (see attached) that sums up how many small business owners feel. I was happy to see that I wasn’t the only one that felt that way.
Do you have any events in North Florida you will be selling at in the near future? Do you have any other events coming up you would like me to mention?
I have a client in Jacksonville that will order items that she sees and likes on Instagram, but I have never been up there for a trunk show. Maybe its time! I partner with many charitable organizations and do trunk shows throughout the year. In the new year, I will be a featured vendor at a wonderful event called “Wine, Women & Shoes” (doesn’t it sounds amazing?) which benefits Miami Children’s Hospital.
What has your bestselling item been?
My bestselling jewelry item is a single baroque pearl necklace on a delicate gold chain. I have been making it for years and it is beautiful, easy to wear and very affordable!
My best selling handbag is the “Karina” clutch. It is a slim, envelope clutch that holds the basics for a night out. I have one in black and I wear it every weekend.
In addition to Free shipping Ana is offering 15% off your entire order with the coupon code "thriving15." Get some Christmas shopping done for your sister, your mom, or drop a hint to your significant other and use her coupon. ;)
I will continue to bring you interviews with successful women under
(I'm getting old) around the age of thirty. If you or someone you know might
be interested in being featured please email meaghanmae@gmail.com.
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