We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful MARIA BERNARD. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with MARIA below.
MARIA, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I think unintentionally due to our circumstances as illegal immigrants, they worked so hard to give all seven of us (siblings and I) a roof over our head, clothes and food. They provided the essentials and worked so hard to survive. When things got difficult, they didn’t give up. They kept their eyes on God and kept pushing through. Their hard work and dedication taught me to work so hard for the things I wanted to accomplish! I made it a goal of mine to stay dedicated to creating a life that one day my parents would be proud of. A life that will repay them for all of their hard work!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! ¡Yo soy Maria!
I was born in Guadalajara Jalisco and my entrepreneur life started during one of the darkest times in my life. I say this because I hope to spread hope and faith for those who feel stuck and overwhelmed. If you’re in a dark place, God is calling you to turn to the place that once brought you joy as a kid. Here’s how this changed my life.
I had two kids under two in diapers and my postpartum depression was haunting my every thought. Here I was, a college graduate with dreams to help students reach their dreams and instead of teaching high school math, I was teaching my babies their ABC’s! While that is very rewarding in itself, I felt lost in the everyday tasks that included changing diapers, nursing, making food, cleaning and trying to find rest all in between. Meanwhile my marriage was taking the back seat and I felt so lonely. My husband was in grad school and finishing his internship. We never saw each other.
All of this slowly started to turn around when we were forced to move in with my best friend who witnessed the depression and reminded me of my love and joy for handlettering!
After saving up a few dollars and finding the amazing community of calligraphers on Instagram, I was instantly filled with joy and on my way to hand-lettering just as I used to when I was a kid! I constantly got in trouble by my mom for labelling things around my house… salt, sugar, pepper! Hahaha I just loved writing!
Long story short, God was working in the midst of the storm. God placed all the right people in my life right when I needed them. From my best friend encouraging me to start handlettering/calligraphy to all the calligraphers I connected with on Instagram and my sisters encouraging me to start an Etsy account; my life slowly started becoming joyful again. I felt like I had found myself again!
From spending hours writing/practicing calligraphy in my best friend’s office to opening an Etsy shop and later finding out that I could take my calligraphy and transform it into an actual object! I was on cloud nine! I started selling hand lettered laser cut items on my etsy shop for nursery rooms and wedding decor!
Somehow it all turned into a 6 figure business with a kick ass team being guided by God’s light!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Start with what you have! Find five things that you’re passionate about for your followers to know about you/your business and share that!
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes! Again, through God’s guidance and all the people he placed in my life, a wonderful and beautiful woman named Tannah allowed me to see that my craft needed a niche! I needed to double down on wedding products and services!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.decoinkdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoinkdesigns/
Image Credits
Leslie D Photography took the studio ones. https://www.instagram.com/