Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sonya Marin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sonya, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am happier as a creative. I spent 25 years working in banking and at a fin-tech startup.
I believe my experience in the corporate world however is what makes me appreciate my life now.

At the time, I just had a baby a year ago, I was supporting the family, my husband was in the middle of an immigration case which didn’t allow him to work, we were caring for my ailing Father-in-law in a small 2 bedroom condo. The tipping point for my health was that my job had decided they no longer wanted to allow our team members to work remotely which added 10 hours of commuting to my work week. When I learned there could be possible salary cuts for corporate efficiencies, I picked up 3 side hustles. Real Estate investing, organizing markets for mompreneurs and selling jewelry. At this point I was surviving on 4 hours sleep a night and experiencing terrible mom guilt for working so much. By the time I got home, it was time to make dinner and I would have one hour M-F with my baby before his bedtime.

I began experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety. Shortness of breath, my heart randomly racing. Then the migraines came, first for days and then for weeks and then it got to a point where I could barely get out of bed and I was convinced I was dying. I was doing almost daily accupuncture, I went for IV’s, anything to help numb the migraine pain. I was in such a dark place, I couldn’t see the light.

I had done everything “right”. I graduated with good grades, went to school, got a retail bank job, promoted to management, made the elusive 6 figures, did more school, got a corporate bank job, got married, had a baby, etc. So why was I so depressed, feeling like life was sucked away from me and feeling like I was barely surviving?

I was able to see a neurologist who was both board and ayurvedic certified. She told me that I was not living in the flow of my life and that stress had turned off my anti-aging genes. She prescribed dance, rest, and a few extra vitamins to the daily dozen vitamin tablets I was already taking to numb my pain. From there I worked with a life coach to help realize I was in survival mode and she helped me to align my values to where I was spending my time.
Once, my husband’s immigration case went through. This is for the first time in over a year where I thought things were going to be ok. A year later he landed his dream job.

I read that creativity was the cure for burnout and as soon as I could, I decided to take a year off. I took every creative class imaginable along with several personal development courses and spent time with my family. I did my first pop up market in the fall of 2021.

I felt this was a second chance at life and something inside told me going back to a corporate job was not something I was meant to do. I didn’t see how I could spend time with my son, have a full time job, a life, friends AND have any time to pursue creativity. It only seemed like it would lead me down the same path.

I learned through all of this that being busy doesn’t determine our worth, exhaustion isn’t evidence of dedication but ultimately I’ve learned that our children are watching us and learning from us even when we think we aren’t teaching lessons. And if it’s the one thing I hope he learns, it’s that he learns to follow his own dreams.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Sonya Marin, I was a Spanish Literature undergrad with a double concentration MBA in Finance and International business who spent 25 years in banking, corporate underwriting and fintech. At 40 I had my first baby and began to live what I call my second life as an artist, maker and small business owner.

In 2019, I took a year off work to combat personal and work stress. Little did I know at this time, that I was heading down a new path. During this time I took several creative classes, from floral arrangements, candle making, soap making, oil painting, to water marbling. I binged hours of youtube learning the world of handmade cards which lead me to painting wax seals. The fall of 2021 is when Sonya Marin Designs began.

I think what people notice first is the array of items that I create. I enjoy the variety and I describe myself as a multi-passionate creative inspired by nature and my multi-cultural family. This however, is a double edged sword, because when you think of a business most of their products are related, ex. jewelry, crochet, woodworking, etc. Meanwhile, I’m here with what feels like a gift boutique of Water Marbled items & Pressed Floral items, Hand Painted Wax Seals, Paper Art and Ornaments in the winter.

One of my best sellers are my Artisan One of a Kind Water Marbled Hand Painted Hand Fans.

Using a centuries old art form, water marbling is a dance between color, liquid, and motion. Their one-of-a-kind nature resonates with people who value items that stand out and reflect their personality in a subtle, beautiful and unique way.
Each of them are painted, glossed and tasseled all by hand.

I pride myself in the attention to detail and I’ll spend the extra time on something even if somebody won’t be able to tell because it will make a better product for the customer. I love everything that I do and feel like everything that’s made is made with a loving energy that transfers and reverberates through my items. I’ve had several people tell me that they can feel this energy inside my booth when they step in.

I’ve been blessed to have been welcomed at many of the local Art Fairs & shows my first year in San Antonio. A lot of my items are made and then sold at my upcoming markets so I don’t have photos of most of my creations. My goal for 2025 is to begin focusing on expanding my online sales, initially through LIVE sales via Instagram and Facebook and also through Etsy.

You can follow my journey on either Instagram or Facebook at @SonyaMarinDesigns.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I have several favorite books. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz which offers practical principles to break free from self-limiting beliefs and create a life of integrity, joy, and love.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho showed me the importance of listening to my heart and following my dreams and that setbacks are opportunities to learn. As I was reading this book, I realized I had chosen a painting from my parents many years ago. It was a large painting of camels and merchants on the silk road with the goods, which much reminded me of a scene from the book when the protagonist was in the desert. This was one of many signs presented in uncertain times to me, that this was the path I was meant to be on.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Sometimes I still get nervous before a large market. It can feel really vulnerable to share your work with people. One of the most rewarding feelings that never gets old is when people share how much they love what they purchase from me for themselves or how much their loved ones enjoyed something I made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sonyamarindesigns.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyamarindesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonyaMarinDesigns/

Image Credits

Image Credits: Rethlyn Photography