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

Maria , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I was doing research for my business and I knew I wanted something short and meaningful for me. One day I was travelling with two of my best friends, we went out to grab breakfast before going back home( we live in different countries) we had the best and meaningful time together in this little place called Milou…… and that’s why I choose the name.

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 Maria Mendez, I am from Venezuela but moved to Canada 6 years ago. I am an advertising specialist but I’ve been making jewelry since I can remember, I used to sell it at school, to friends and family. It has always been my passion.

As an Immigrant, I have had a lot of different jobs since I moved to this country, but I always knew I wanted to have my own business, when covid started I was in school with a part-time job in finance but my classes got cancelled and I had free time to do what I wanted so I started making earrings and wearing them to go to work.

I saw the pandemic as an opportunity to turn my passion for jewellery-making into my small business.

I started small, offering earrings to my colleagues, but as word spread about the quality of my products, I quickly gained a good customer base. I worked hard, pouring my heart and soul into every piece I created. I was and am determined to make my business a success.

I still have a full-time job in advertising but I’m working hard to make my passion my full-time business.
I’m currently a vendor in 6X8 Market in downtown Toronto where you can find my designs, I’m also on Instagram and Etsy.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

I decided to join a new vendor market with no money or a big inventory of my products. Yes, that’s right. I booked the space with my saving, printed some business cards and display 10 pieces of my designs.
Just 10 pieces, the first 2 months was terrible, I didn’t have enough to cover the rent or get more materials.

I decided stay one more month, I made new products and I realized they were selling quicker than the first 10 pieces so I decided to make more and more, by the end of the month I was able to cover the rent and get new materials for my new designs.

with the time I got to know my customers and offer them what they like.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

seeing someone on the streets wearing your designs (:

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/miloucanada/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.milou/