Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Balingit

Hi Mia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

Mia Balingit (they/she) is a 2nd-generation Queer Filipino-American artist, writer, community builder, journal enthusiast, and nonviolence educator. Mia’s entrepreneurial journey began when they created an Etsy sticker shop, StiickWithMi, in 2019. Shortly after, they pivoted their business into Perfectly Pinay in 2021 to focus on creating Filipino-centered apparel and stationery. In 2024, Perfectly Pinay rebranded into Kapwa Kreations with the focus on community building, empowerment tools, and original art centered around the Filipino-American experience.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It has in no way shape or form been a “smooth” road. The journey of actually becoming Kapwa Kreations was difficult. We started out as “Perfectly Pinay” – a business that aimed to promote creativity and inclusivity, but the business name itself told people that we were pinay focused, which was pretty exclusionary of masculine and non-Filipino folks. It took me a long time to let go of what I had built with Perfectly Pinay in order to blossom into who we are today.

Besides the struggles of everyday entrepreneurism, being an openly queer artist who is very vocal about my beliefs around human rights and equity has brought in strong waves of negativity and threats of violence towards me and my business. Unfortunately, this is something that’s pretty common for people like me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

As an artist, I specialize in creating art that allows people to reflect on their healing journey and tap into their most authentic energy. I’m also a community builder; I love hosting events and cultivating safe spaces for other folks to create, connect, and learn from each other. I love how Kapwa Kreations intersects with both my artistry and my passion for community. I think this is what sets us apart from other stationery and apparel businesses. I’m very intentional with the designs and products we release; everything has a purpose and reflects something I’ve experienced in life. My business is an extension of who I am, and it allows me to shape the change and future that I want to see in the world.

What does success mean to you?

For me, sales don’t directly reflect success. Yes I want to make money, but I also want to make sure that I’m aligned with my vision and I’m building a community of kind, passionate, and genuine people. In my eyes, success is being able to authentically reach people and create something meaningful either for or with them. At the end of the day, as long as we’re growing (whether that’s expanding our product line, meeting new people, or trying new things) in a way that furthers our mission, I’ll write that off as success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kapwakreations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kapwakreations

Image Credits

Kapwa Kreations / Mia Balingit