We recently connected with Coco Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Coco, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Although I had been studying art since childhood and have a degree in art, my career began in Visual Merchandising and literally doing art in the windows of Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel and Macy’s here in NYC.. It is just within the last 4 years that I taught myself how to create digital artwork. Initially I sent my raw floral designs to the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx). They liked my work and suggested I put it on a product. It came to me, as a woman who loves scarves, that scarves might be a product I could pour myself into, and I knew someone producing scarves in India. No sooner had I conceived of the idea than I found a good company in India myself to work with. I produced several of my designs in silk and cotton which provided me with a solid experience of what’s involved with production and a solid connection with a good company. After short exposure on Etsy, I realized I wanted to approach museum shops. So, I sent a scarf I designed with a Native American motif to the Native American Museum here in downtown Manhattan. I was surprised a short time later to receive an email from the Smithsonian in Washington DC taking an interest in my design! The catch was, I had to be Native American myself in order for them to buy the design-which I am not. However, they were and are interested in other designs- so I am hopeful that they will use some of my others as they consider new products. I am currently sending my designs to other museums as well.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am proud of the fact that I taught myself how to develop my skills as a digital artist.
My intention is to promote and position my designs as original art in the way that a brand like Hermes is desired for its stand apart creations.
I am immersed in my passion around the clock- and often I am alone at midnight going over what I have done and making mental notes. Sometimes I am researching new subject matter that interests and inspires me, usually from nature.
I have also enjoyed very much being commissioned to illustrate a children’s book which is soon to be marketed. At this point I am confident that I can take on any task or assignment, from book covers to children’s books and my own products. As long as I am being creative I am in a state of bliss! It is only at this stage of life that I’m finally able to do what I have always wanted to do. Only now do I have the time and tools to follow my dream. As a result, I have never felt happier and more vital than at any other time in my life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I got my new iPad, I was faced with what seemed to be the daunting task of figuring out how to use a version of photoshop on my own-with all its complexity.It was with constant effort and the driving desire to materialize my own visions that I was able to teach myself how to manipulate this form of media.My passion and my compulsion to create drove me forward. It didn’t take long before I was startled and delighted by what I was able to do. I went from terrified to gratified.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I tried Etsy briefly, but didn’t really feel like it was for me. As a result, I didn’t invest myself in using the site to my best advantage. My thinking evolved and took shape in a different direction. Wanting to position my brand and product as art caused me to be more interested in museums and their gift shops-where I get so many of my own favorite things. This is what I am currently pursuing with a clear sense of purpose and direction.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: My Instagram account features all my designs:coconycdesigns
• Linkedin: My LinkedIn account also features my designs:coconycdesigns