We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Martir a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Maria Innata arose at the perfect moment that it had to start. Despite the idea of this project was in my head for a long time ago, I wouldn’t change the moment of its beginning. In 2020 the whole world experienced an event that everyone got surprised by: The pandemic. This made the world stop. Those times were difficult for everyone, but I think we can save many good things from all the chaos like pausing and taking a breath. I hadn’t been able to start my business because I hadn’t had the time to do it, and when the pandemic arrived, I had the time to reconnect with myself and think about the things I would like to do. Maria Innata arises not just as a shop, but as a ray of hope for myself in those days of uncertainty, and also, as a ray of sunshine to the artisans who were the most affected by this chaos. One of the main goals of this project is to help artisans of isolated communities. This is how the pandemic was the necessary push to start the business and to help somehow to cop the difficult time. This project gave me the motivation and energy to focus on the positive side of things. So I could say if I could return the time to start again this project, it still wouldn’t be either before nor after. I am a faithful believer that everything happens at the right time.

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?

Maria Innata is an online shop that offers handmade products made with love by Artisans from different regions of Mexico. Handmade products require a lot of effort, time, and creativity. Every piece is unique and special because they are not just products, they are the history of the culture, stories, legends, and people. Most of our products are based on the Wixarika/Huichol culture existing in some states of Mexico, such as Nayarit, the state where I was born and rise. My business wants to show the cultural wealth that Mexico has through its arts and crafts. You can find jewelry, clothes, shoes, accessories, and home decor, all of these handmade with traditional techniques.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The Artisans and I work together hand by hand, this is real teamwork. We always are in constant communication, not just about work but also to know how are we doing in our lives, because this impacts our day to day. Although we are a team, I always recognize that the products are made by their hands. They are the talent and they deserve this recognition so, I tell my clients about them, and likewise, I tell the Artisans every beautiful word the clients say because they have to know people admire all their creations. So, I could say that communication must be effective among the team because it is very important to strengthen confidence. Adding to this, the recognition of the work that each one does always have to be demonstrated. Something I never forget to tell them is how much I am thankful for their passion, compromise, loyalty, and for letting me be the voice of their roots and culture.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

We sell on Etsy. As most people know, Etsy is the biggest platform to sell handmade items. Also, we participate in different events such as pop-up shops, farmers’ markets, etc, where we expose our handmade products on different dates and places around San Diego. In Tijuana we have a partnership with Lacanda Coffee shop where our products are on display, for sell and pick up. In addition to being one of the most beautiful and delicious coffee shops in town, Lacanda shares the same goal as Maria Innata of helping Mexican Artisans.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MariaInnata
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/maria.innata
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mariainnata