We were lucky to catch up with Jhaneth Palafox recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jhaneth , appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My heroes are my family, starting with my grandparents who were incredibly hardworking individuals. My grandfather was a milkman who sold anything dairy to his home town, while my paternal grandparents started their own bakery business in our small town of Tingüindin, Michoacán. Hearing their stories and how they raised a family and were balancing being entrepreneurs taught me the importance of hard work and determination.

My parents have also influenced my journey, my mother is a hustler who has sold Tupperware and jewelry and recently her delicious gelatinas. My father who was the sole provider for many years and showed me and my siblings quick problem solving skills. My uncles & aunts, on the other hand, who are the epitome of the American dream. Their success stories have inspired me to strive for success and pursue my dreams, knowing that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.

Growing up, my family’s stories served as an inspiration to me, teaching me valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience. I learned that nothing worth having comes easy, but with hard work and determination, you can achieve your goals. I am grateful to have such inspiring family members who have influenced my journey and shaped me into the person I am today.

Jhaneth , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a Latina-owned brand, JTEES is dedicated to designing clothing that reflects the diverse and vibrant Latinx community. Our mission is to create custom and unique apparel designs that empower and represent Latinx individuals who want to feel seen, powerful, and confident. Since starting in 2020, JTEES has provided a range of products including trendy graphic t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and accessories. Our focus is to provide high-quality, comfortable, and affordable clothing that is perfect to make a statement without sacrificing comfort.
At JTEES, we are committed to sustainability and eco-friendliness. We reuse tissue paper from family events to package orders, and we use recyclable packaging. We believe that fashion should not come at the cost of the environment and that we can make a positive impact by taking small steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
What sets us apart is our passion for designing clothing that reflects the unique Latinx culture and community. We understand the importance of representation and inclusivity and strive to create clothing that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our customers.
We are proud to be part of a movement towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. When you wear JTEES, you are not only supporting a Latina-owned business, but you are also making a statement that you value, inclusivity, and representation.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. When I first started promoting JTEES, I began by advertising on my neighborhood page and sharing it with family and friends. Starting locally was crucial in getting the word out and building a following.

Since JTEES started in 2020 during the pandemic, social media played a significant role in our success. As people were spending more time on their phones, we knew that social media was going to be key in building our audience.

My advice to those just starting to build their social media presence is to be consistent and engaging. Consistency is key, whether it’s posting regularly or engaging with your followers. It’s also important to engage with your audience and create a community around your brand. Responding to comments, messages, and sharing user-generated content is a great way to build relationships and foster loyalty.

Another piece of advice is to use hashtags and collaborate with other brands or influencers in your niche. This can help expose your brand to a wider audience and create partnerships that can be mutually beneficial.

Finally, it’s essential to be authentic and true to your brand’s values. People can sense when something is not genuine, and it can turn them off from following you. Be yourself, share your story, and connect with your audience on a personal level. This will help you build a loyal following that will support you for years to come.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the biggest challenges I faced on my journey was dealing with imposter syndrome. It’s easy to get discouraged and compare yourself to others on social media who may be working on something similar to what you are doing. At times, I felt like I didn’t belong or that I wasn’t good enough.

However, I learned to overcome these feelings by reminding myself that I am unique and capable. I am enough, and I have the courage to pursue my dreams. It takes faith in oneself to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

One story that comes to mind is when I created a collection that didn’t sell as well as I had anticipated. I put so much time and effort into the designs and was confident that they would be a hit, but unfortunately, they didn’t resonate with my audience as much as I had hoped.

It was discouraging to see my hard work not pay off, and I began to doubt my abilities. But instead of giving up, I used this setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. I went back to the drawing board and researched what was missing from my collection and what my audience was looking for.

Through this experience, I learned that resilience is about bouncing back from failures and using them as opportunities to learn and improve. It’s about having the courage to keep going, even when things don’t go according to plan. I continued to work hard and create new designs, and eventually, I know my hard work will payoff.

This experience taught me to trust my instincts but to also be open to feedback and to continue to improve and grow as an entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: shopjtees.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/_jtees_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jteesllc