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

Elizabeth, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

As a Latina, whose parents immigrated from Mexico to the US, I can confidently say that their examples of hard work and family support have been instrumental in shaping who I am today.

From a young age, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work. They would often recount their own experiences of coming to the United States with nothing but the clothes on their backs and working tirelessly to build a better life for themselves and their future family. They emphasized the importance of education and encouraged me to work hard in school so that I could have more opportunities than they did.

But it wasn’t just about working hard for personal gain. My parents also emphasized the importance of helping others and giving back to the community. They would often volunteer at local organizations and churches, and they encouraged my sisters and I to do the same. They believed that by working hard and giving back, we could make a positive impact on the world around us.

Along with the value of hard work, my parents also stressed the importance of family support. As immigrants, they knew how difficult it could be to navigate life in a new country without the support of loved ones. They made sure that our family always came first, and that we were there for each other no matter what. They taught me the importance of communication, compromise, and forgiveness in maintaining strong family relationships.

Their teachings on hard work and family support have stayed with me throughout my life. I have worked hard to achieve my goals in my career and business and I have always known that my family is there to support me along the way. I am grateful for the sacrifices that my parents made to give my sisters and I a better life, and I am proud to carry on their legacy of hard work and family values.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Elizabeth Aguirre, the owner and founder of Juicey Gems, a Latina owned business that specializes in handmade jewelry and accessories. I have always been passionate about creativity, which led me to channel my energy into design and jewelry making. At the age of ten, I started making beaded accessories and selling them at local events, and this sparked the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey.

Before starting Juicey Gems, I also made sure to focus on my education and tried to discover where I wanted to take my career. After the first two years at the first college I attended, I felt uninspired and started digging back into my love for creativity. And that is where the Juicey Gems business idea began. I started ideating on different designs and experimenting with various materials until I found my signature style.

Throughout the years, my business has grown and expanded. Today, we sell our products through various channels, including online, local pop-ups, and retail shops. Last year, we applied for an opportunity to experience owning our own storefront and were selected along with 11 other women owned businesses.

I am proud to have built a successful business based on my love for design and my creativity. Our jewelry is not just another accessory, but a statement piece that represents a person’s unique style and personality. We put our heart and soul into every piece that we create, making sure that it is not only beautiful but also durable and long-lasting. We want our customers to come across our pieces and feel as if they have found a gem that perfectly represents their individuality.

At Juicey Gems, we take pride in uplifting and motivating people to be themselves, step out of their comfort zone, be fearless and feel confident doing it. We believe that everyone should feel empowered to express themselves, and our jewelry serves as a tool to do just that. Our pieces are bold, unique, and one-of-a-kind, just like our customers.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My decision to pivot and decide to transfer to a completely different college played a huge role in discovering my career passions and ultimately led me to start Juicey Gems. I realized that I wanted to be in a more creative environment. I tapped into my love for design and marketing. I found myself drawn to classes that allowed me to express my creativity, so I started to see how these skills could be applied to my business. I began to use my newly acquired design and marketing skills to enhance my small business journey, from creating unique designs to promoting my business through social media and other marketing channels.

These skills have been instrumental in my journey as a business owner, and I credit my decision to transfer to a more creative college as a pivotal moment in my career. It allowed me to explore new passions and skills, which have helped me to grow and expand Juicey Gems into the growing business it is today.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

By networking with other businesses and business owners, I was able to establish myself in the local community and get my brand in front of more people. This led to opportunities to participate in local events and pop-ups, which helped me to gain more exposure and reach new customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juicey-gems.myshopify.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juicey_gems
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juiceygems/
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JuiceyGemsShop
• Storefront: https://goo.gl/maps/hJZfKQvX8mypGUMx5 (7003 W Cermak Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402) Opening June 9th!

Image Credits
Elizabeth Aguirre Bianca Aguirre Taylor Caston