We recently connected with Irasema Andrade Badillo and have shared our conversation below.

Irasema, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Starting my business was a huge risk, I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know is that I want to make stuff. I started trying to sell my jewelry back in 2016. I was going to smaller events and mostly just wasting a lot of money and time, but it was so much fun, and so rewarding. Eventually I got tired of it not working so I scrapped everything and officially started Opuntia Flowers in 2019. I still had zero clue of what I was doing and where it was all even headed, I just knew that I wanted the freedom to create and make a little extra money for jewelry supplies.

Though I still serve to supplement my income now. Serving was how I made a living before my small business, and the COVID shutdown impacted my livelihood directly. It was incredibly hard, but for the first time in my adult life I had so much time on my hands. All the time in the world to make art, and when the COVID restrictions were finally lifted I started doing pop up markets again. I wanted to regain that feeling I had when I had all of that uninterrupted time at my desk during the shutdown.

2021 was my first year of participating in pop up markets regularly and actually making money. 2022 was my first full time market season. 2023 has been my most challenging and rewarding year yet and I cannot imagine what will come next.

As Opuntia Flowers grew, giving up my serving hours was terrifying, but thankfully I work with some amazing people. The team members and managers have had my back this whole time. They welcome me with open arms when I randomly pop in to work, and they are waiting for me even now that the holiday season is almost over. It may seem like this was all carefully calculated over the years but like I said before, I have no clue what I’m doing, I just want to be an artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a self taught artist, I used to do a lot of drawing and later on painting, mainly focused on portraiture. I made the switch to jewelry because as I entered the workforce I felt like I didn’t have the time I needed for painting. I taught myself how to make everything you see at my booth over the span of the last 20 years. Starting Opuntia Flowers was the next logical step.

I make almost every type of jewelry accessory, from everyday necklaces to intricately hand wrapped statement pendants. Sometimes I think “oh I just make little shiny trinkets” but when I see the glow on peoples faces when they find the perfect piece I know I’m making at least a little difference. I’m providing those little treats that get you through a hard week, or the perfect gift for that special person in your life. I’m not solving any important problems, but I’m helping people express themselves, and I’m helping them feel good. To me, that’s really something special.

My jewelry is all small batch, even when you feel that you have seen the same piece, it’s not. I use natural gemstones and freshwater pearls, every piece is different from the last. Everything is carefully made using 14k gold fill, sterling silver and nickel free brass. They are unique, hypoallergenic, high quality pieces, made with love and held to a high standard.

It’s just me behind the scenes, with lots of support from my friends and family. All of your jewelry is a small labor of love made by me. And every little bit of support I get from the public is so very valuable. I want people to know how much I love and appreciate everything they have done for me as an artist and small business owner. Without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Putting yourself out there is tough. On my journey I learned that every day I set up at a market I’m not just there selling jewelry, I’m selling little pieces of myself. I’m presenting to the public something that was once a very private piece of me. It was the most challenging aspect I had to learn to embrace. I’m in no way saying I have overcome this either but it gives me confidence because I know it’s not just me. There are artists and small business owners out there doing what I’m doing day in and day out. I am part of a very resilient community of people going out every day baring our hearts and souls for the world to see.

It takes so much belief in yourself and hustle to get out there, fill out application after application to secure the possibility of sales. Trying to keep up with social media trends to drive sales outside of markets. Maintaining a work/life balance and taking care of yourself at the end of each day. Being a small business owner is no joke, it is not for everyone and it requires a thicker skin than I ever knew I needed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Learn the value of my work and unlearn the habit of giving things away. When I first started doing pop up markets I had the same problem every artist has which is learning to properly price our work. For some reason it just felt so wrong to charge people, so I would make up for it by gifting things or giving people discounts on things I was barely charging for.

I felt so overwhelmed with the amount of love and support I was receiving that a thank you wasn’t enough. I felt like I needed to show my customers how much I appreciated their support so I would give a discount or free item here and there. Completely ignoring the fact that my business is self funded and needed to grow in order to stay afloat. I was just so happy that I was being well received by the public.

That was a hard thing to change, but I’m doing pretty good. What I do instead now is share my snacks with my vendor friends or help them set up and pack up any chance I get.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/opuntiaflowers/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opuntiaflowers/
• Other: The best way to shop with me is to find me at a market. website coming soon.