Atalia World: ‘Eres mágica’ – ILLN

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 optimistic messages, are the primary attraction. With vivid drawings and phrases similar to ‘I belief myself’ and ‘Eres mágica,’ she appears to be like to empower those that purchase from her. Figuera had a bodily retailer in la Isla de Margarita, Venezuela, however moved to the USA six years in the past and now resides in Elmwood Park. Nonetheless, when she immigrated, she knew she wished to proceed her enterprise on a web 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 received began.

A: I began Atalia World two years in the past in Chicago. I make customized merchandise with goal and intention about psychological well being, shallowness, and motivation geared in the direction of ladies 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 troublesome finding out the market, understanding what shoppers like and what they don’t. I’m nonetheless within the means of understanding what my star product is.

Q: What product do shoppers principally like?

A: Usually, the stainless steel cups for hot and cold drinks as a result of they’re customized. The designs are comprised 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 might be 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 ladies which might be in the identical place as me, or mothers which might be at residence, encourage them to create some kind of entrepreneurship or to have some kind of passion. I believe indirectly that may contribute to my group.

Q: How lengthy does it take to make one among your merchandise?

A: It isn’t simple. 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 quicker.

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’ll! To work onerous, have self-discipline and above all, consistency.

Cowl Picture: Credit score ataliaworld instagram

Mariana Bermudez is a second-year pupil at Northwestern College finding out journalism and inventive writing. An aspiring bilingual sports activities journalist, she hopes to signify Latina ladies 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 might be discovered taking Latin dance courses, studying Portuguese or studying a great romance novel.

She might 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 College of Journalism, Media & Built-in Advertising and marketing Communications.

Led by Prof. Mei-Ling Hopgood, the category goals to assist journalism college students follow 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 house owners.