Marileenny Figuera, 40, has developed her ardour for entrepreneurship with Atalia World, a enterprise the place her metal and glass cups, with printed designs and constructive messages, are the principle attraction. With vibrant drawings and phrases corresponding to ‘I belief myself’ and ‘Eres mágica,’ she seems to empower those that purchase from her. Figuera had a bodily retailer in la Isla de Margarita, Venezuela, however moved to the US six years in the past and now resides in Elmwood Park. Nonetheless, when she immigrated, she knew she wished to proceed her enterprise on an internet site the place product costs ranged from $18 to $45. We talked to Figuera about her enterprise and its mission.
This interview has been translated from Spanish to English.
Q: Inform me about your corporation and the way it obtained began.
A: I began Atalia World two years in the past in Chicago. I make personalised merchandise with function and intention about psychological well being, vanity, and motivation geared in the direction of girls and entrepreneurial moms.
A few of Figuera’s merchandise. (Picture by Mariana Bermudez.)
Q: What obstacles has your corporation confronted?
A: Social media, as a result of there’s plenty of competitors available in the market, and since I’m new, it has been tough learning the market, figuring out what shoppers like and what they don’t. I’m nonetheless within the means of figuring out what my star product is.
Q: What product do shoppers principally like?
A: Usually, the chrome steel cups for hot and cold drinks as a result of they’re personalised. The designs are made out of scratch for the consumer, relying on what they like.
Glass jars and stainless-steel cups. (Picture by Mariana Bermudez.)
Q: The cups have phrases in Spanish, like ‘Ámate mucho,’ and in English, like ‘You’re sufficient.’ Inform me extra about that.
A: I like creating merchandise for each audiences, in Spanish and in English. Additionally, I look to encourage Latina girls which might be in the identical place as me, or mothers which might be at dwelling, encourage them to create some sort of entrepreneurship or to have some sort of passion. I believe not directly that may contribute to my group.
Q: How lengthy does it take to make considered one of your merchandise?
A: It isn’t straightforward. I do it myself and first I’ve to design them, after I’ve to print, put it collectively, then take warmth presses. When you be taught and know the rhythm the productiveness is a bit sooner.
Q: What would you say to somebody seeking to begin a enterprise?
A: For them to do it with what they’ve, with what they will! To work arduous, have self-discipline and above all, consistency.
Cowl Picture: Credit score ataliaworld instagram
Mariana Bermudez is a second-year scholar at Northwestern College learning journalism and artistic writing. An aspiring bilingual sports activities journalist, she hopes to signify Latina girls within the sports activities trade, whereas persevering with to report on points that have an effect on Hispanic and Latino communities. When she is just not pitching a narrative or reporting on the bottom, she could be discovered taking Latin dance lessons, studying Portuguese or studying a very good romance novel.
She could be discovered on LinkedIn here and on Instagram as @mari_bermudez05
Writer’s Notes: This story, amongst others, was produced by undergraduate college students within the bilingual reporting class at Northwestern College’s Medill Faculty of Journalism, Media & Built-in Advertising Communications.
Led by Prof. Mei-Ling Hopgood, the category goals to assist journalism college students observe delicate and moral engagement and reporting with multicultural communities in Spanish and English. College students visited the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Enterprise Expo at Navy Pier final fall and interviewed native enterprise homeowners.
