Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Connie Villeta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Connie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Farol was born out of a deep desire to bridge the gap between Filipino Americans and the rich cultural traditions of the Philippines. Growing up in the community, I often heard stories from our kababayans about the challenges of bringing capiz parols home—how the delicate oyster pane shells, so meticulously crafted by our artisans, were difficult to transport on commercial flights. These parols, symbolic of our heritage, often couldn’t make the journey, leaving many of us longing for that connection to our roots, especially during the holiday season.

I knew that by starting Farol, I could provide a solution that would allow Filipino Americans to celebrate our culture with ease, while also supporting the artisans back home who pour their heart and soul into creating these beautiful pieces. Farol is more than just a business—it’s a way to preserve and share our traditions, providing not only joy to our customers but also livelihoods to the talented craftsmen in the Philippines.

As the only official retailer of capiz, parol in California, it has been incredibly fulfilling to see the joy these pieces bring to our community. Each parol we sell is a testament to our shared heritage, a bright light that connects us to our roots, no matter where we are. Farol is not just about selling products—it’s about keeping our culture alive and thriving, one parol at a time.

Connie , 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?

As the founder of Farol, I’m deeply honored to connect the Filipino American community with the rich heritage of our homeland through the beauty of capiz parols. My journey into this craft comes from a profound love for our traditions and a desire to share the warmth and spirit of the Philippines with those who may be far from home but keep their culture close to their hearts.

Farol brings authentic capiz parols to Filipino households across the U.S., ensuring that these delicate symbols of light and hope find their way into homes . What sets us apart is our commitment to not only delivering these meaningful pieces but also supporting the artisans in the Philippines whose hands create them.

What fills me with the most pride is the joy these parols bring to our community. To see them light up homes and hearts is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also passionate about passing on our traditions to the next generation, which is why I host parol workshops, especially for children. These workshops are about more than just creating something beautiful—they’re about keeping our stories, values, and culture alive.

At Farol, we’re not just selling a product; we’re nurturing a connection to our roots and ensuring that the light of our traditions shines on, now and always.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Our growth has truly been fueled by the passion and word-of-mouth support of our community. Many of our clients come to us through recommendations from those who have experienced the joy of owning these rare, handcrafted capiz parols. Networking within the Filipino American community and beyond has also played a crucial role. In addition, we were fortunate to partner with 2 other business that now carry our products including Weee! America’s largest online Asian Supermarket and Cambio & Co who is based out of Canada.

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

Our journey at Farol has been one of resilience, especially through the challenges of importing our delicate capiz parols during the pandemic. The delays were relentless, and at times, it felt like everything was at risk—revenue was lost, and the stress of almost not receiving the products we had paid for was overwhelming. Importing is never easy, and the uncertainty of working with overseas partners made it even more challenging. But through it all, we refused to give up. We learned to navigate these difficulties, build trust with reliable partners, and stay committed to our vision. Our resilience in the face of these obstacles is what has allowed Farol to continue our journey

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop_farols/