We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Catalina Tellez Hopkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Catalina below.

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

Thank you for having me. Let’s dive right in! Catalina Straps is a community-driven brand that empowers indigenous women of the Wayuu Tribe by crafting handmade straps for yoga mats, water bottles, guitars, cameras, phones, and handbags. Our straps are designed for individuals on the go who value uniqueness, hands-free convenience, and a positive impact on the community and the environment.

Our mission is to empower indigenous women artisans by connecting them with customers worldwide through e-commerce. In addition to ensuring fair wages, we allocate 10% of each purchase to support education and nutrition programs for the children of the Wayuu indigenous Tribe. Furthermore, we collaborate with One Tree Planted (@onetreeplanted) and Wold Tree (@woldtree.eco) in tree-planting initiatives across North America.

Catalina, 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?

It’s a pleasure to be here and share more about my journey with your audience. For those who may be joining us for the first time, I’m Catalina, and I come from the vibrant country of Colombia. Growing up, I’ve always been captivated by entrepreneurship and the rich cultural heritage of my homeland, particularly our indigenous traditions. My connection to sustainability and conscious living began early on—I remember adorning myself with handmade bags crafted by the talented artisans of the Wayuu Tribe since I was just 12 years old. This experience sparked my passion for sustainable fashion and business models, prioritizing a positive impact.

I’ve dedicated myself to building Catalina Straps—a brand deeply rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and community impact. Through our work with the Wayuu Tribe, we’re creating economic opportunities for indigenous women artisans and sharing their beautiful craftsmanship with the world. Our mission extends beyond commerce—we’re committed to giving back to the community and the environment. It’s genuinely fulfilling work, and I’m excited to continue this journey of empowerment and impact.
Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you all!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Absolutely! Securing the initial capital to launch Catalina Straps was an exciting journey. Recognizing the potential of our vision, we decided to leverage the power of crowdfunding to kickstart our endeavor. Through a carefully planned and executed crowdfunding campaign, we were able to harness the support and enthusiasm of our community, raising $10,000 within the first two months of our launch. This initial investment gave us the necessary resources to bring our vision to life and lay the foundation for our impactful journey.

Additionally, we were fortunate to receive a grant, which further bolstered our efforts in realizing our goals and opened doors to valuable connections and opportunities, allowing us to meet many wonderful people who have contributed to our journey.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

When I committed to investing fully in my business, I sought various courses and resources tailored to my unique market. Among the most impactful ones were ‘Selfmade’ by Brit Morin, ‘IFoundWomen’ by Karen Cahn, and ‘Business Class’ by Sophia Amoruso. Additionally, I’ve explored markets like Unique Markets, and companies like Vista Print have played a significant role in my journey. I’m proud to have won a business grant with IFoundWomen and Vista Print, further fueling my entrepreneurial endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://catalinastraps.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalinastraps
• Facebook: Catalina Straps & Bags
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-tellez-hopkins/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@catalinastraps