We recently connected with Carolina Rocha and have shared our conversation below.

Carolina, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When I moved to Milan to complete my master’s degree in management of luxury goods, I was struck by the pride that the words “made in Italy” inspired in those around me. This experience got me thinking about the label “handmade in Colombia,” and I would love to create the same value and pride for my people. When I returned to Colombia, I decided to create Carola, a 100% Colombian sustainable handbag brand inspired by my motherland and dedicated to empowering women and single mothers. I come from a family where everyone knows how to hand-knit, so I have always liked handmade things. I love the fact of knowing that something is unique, because something made with the hands can never be made exactly the same again.
When I returned to Colombia, I began to put the puzzle pieces together to create Carola. I knew I wanted to create a brand focused on sustainability, good quality products and unique designs.
My mother, Maria Rocha, a civil engineer with amazing artistic talent, pointed me out a fact that would become a cornerstone of my brand: in Colombia, 41% of mothers are abandoned by their partners and have to support their children alone. From this reality, the idea of creating a brand to empower and create opportunities for women, and especially single mothers, was born

Carola handbags are designed and inspired by the beautiful nature of Colombia. Each unique bag is 100% hand-knitted exclusively by single mother artisans and the Jiw and Nukak indigenous tribes from the Colombian Amazonia, and can take up to 28 days to be knitted. We want to give back to our communities their dignity and give them a voice to make our world a better place. Wearing a Carola bag is about making the dreams of many people come true, this is why all our bags are unique. Carola prioritizes respect of the environment and the use of natural, organic and recycled materials, like 100% organic silk, cumare palm trees, and natural dyes. The whole process, from the planting of mulberry, cultivation of warms and the elaboration of the threads is realized by 200 families, victims of the armed conflict whom in this initiative have found a harmonious stability and peace, allowing them to leave their difficult past behind,

Carolina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Carolina was born in Colombia. Since I was. child I have always felt attracted to beautiful things and valued creativity, I played the piano at six years old, and started riding horses and competing in show jumping between nine and 11. “I come from a family where everyone knows how to hand-knit, so I have always liked handmade things. I love the fact of knowing that something is unique, because something made with the hands can never be made exactly the same again,” she explained. I studied business administration in London, where I realized I wanted to work in the fashion industry and relocated to Milan to pursue my masters. When I moved to Milan to complete my master’s degree in management of luxury goods, I was struck by the pride that the words “made in Italy” inspired in those around me. This experience got me thinking about the label “handmade in Colombia,” and I would love to create the same value and pride for my people. When I returned to Colombia, I decided to create Carola, a 100% Colombian sustainable handbag brand inspired by my motherland and dedicated to empowering women and single mothers.

I launched Carola as the coronavirus pandemic struck in the ends of July, which affected the shipping of materials, We have already launched 3 collections, and gotten worldwide exposure and recognition from magazines like Vogue Mexico, Vanity Fair and Elle Italia. “Being listed in the ‘must-have’ handbags in Vanity Fair Italia next to the most amazing and recognized brands from all over the world is beyond incredible.

As for advice for entrepreneurs who would like to start their own ventures, go for it, stop waiting for the right moment. We cannot wait until we believe we have everything and it is the perfect time,

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell on my own website or through Instagram and so far has been the best decision I’ve made. I feel like it is easier to maintain a closer relationship with our costumers.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I funded the business myself and many people do not know but I decided to start my business by making customers pre order since I didn’t have enough capital to start producing many bags. I actually did this for like 6 months

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carola.com.co/
• Instagram: carolaofficial__

Image Credits
carolarochaa