We were lucky to catch up with Mariela Vazquez Mata recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mariela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission behind Eclart Designs was born from a deep desire to help small businesses — especially those led by women and immigrants — stand out through strategic and aesthetic branding. When I started my business, I saw many talented entrepreneurs with great products or services, but without the visual identity or online presence to match their potential.

As a Latina business owner and creative, I knew how hard it can be to balance family, purpose, and entrepreneurship. That’s why our mission is not just about creating logos or websites — it’s about empowering others to see their vision come to life with confidence and clarity. Every design, every activation, and every strategy we offer is rooted in helping others feel seen and capable of growing something meaningful.

For me, this mission is personal. It’s about showing that your background or resources don’t limit you — your vision and execution do. That’s why we build brands that reflect heart, strength, and strategy.

Mariela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the founder and creative director of Eclart Designs, a branding and design studio based in Tennessee. I started my business from the belief that great ideas deserve to be seen — not just visually, but strategically. My journey began as a self-taught designer and creative entrepreneur, balancing motherhood, partnership, and business while building a brand from scratch.

At Eclart, we specialize in branding, website design, and live merch activations — helping businesses transform their identity and connect meaningfully with their audience. Whether we’re creating a logo, launching a website, or customizing products on-site at an event, our focus is always on building memorable, purpose-driven experiences.

What sets us apart is our human-centered approach: every design is rooted in understanding our client’s vision, story, and goals. We don’t just design — we co-create with intention.

I’m proud of how far we’ve come — from working out of a home office to partnering with businesses, events, and communities across the U.S. Most of all, I’m proud of the impact we make helping other entrepreneurs feel empowered, confident, and ready to grow.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started building my audience on social media by getting out of my comfort zone — going to networking events, doing research to find where my ideal audience would be, and showing up consistently. I began sharing my face, telling my story through Reels, and recording behind-the-scenes moments of my creative process.

Instead of just posting polished designs, I focused on connection — talking to my audience, responding to DMs, and letting them see the real person behind the brand. That authenticity is what helped me grow.

My biggest advice? Be yourself. That’s your most powerful brand. People connect with people, not perfection.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that we must stick to the first label or career path we choose. For years, I believed I had to stay in the box of what I studied — engineering — even though it didn’t bring me joy.

It wasn’t until I became a mother and turned 29 that I gave myself permission to explore what truly made me feel alive. I realized that creativity, branding, and helping others visually express their purpose was what I was meant to do.

Letting go of the pressure to “stick with it” and instead allowing myself to evolve was life-changing. I’ve since built my own design company, embraced my identity as a creative entrepreneur, and I keep learning every single day. Your story can start over at any point — that’s the beauty of reinvention.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eclartdesigns.com
• Instagram: eclart.designs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066981771807
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariela-vazquez-mata-339650311/

Image Credits

I have the rights