We were lucky to catch up with Ramona Ferreyra recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ramona, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I discovered profound purpose and unwavering commitment to my ancestors through a transformative experience with my nephew, Jadiel.
In 2017, when he battled meningitis at just four months old, I joined him in the NICU. Together, we immersed ourselves in a night of celestial melodies, conversing about the moon, and bidding goodnight to the universe. Among the countless cherished moments, one stands out—Jadiel humming “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in harmony with me.
As we embarked on our journey home the next morning, a profound connection was forged. Throughout that week, I serenaded him in both Spanish and English, imparting the rich tapestry of our heritage—our roots in Africa, Europe, and the Tainos, the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. An overwhelming desire to share every aspect of our culture gripped me, fostering a longing to extend the precious moments we had shared during that pivotal week.
Driven by this passion, I sought to express our identity through baby bodysuits, only to be disappointed by the lack of respectful options. I headed to Google searching for something that would honor Jadiel’s Dominican, American, and Taino heritage. The search yielded results like a onesie inscribed with “bad hombre.” Jadiel’s illness heightened my awareness of time, prompting a deep reflection on how he would perceive himself and be perceived by the world, as well as the legacy he would inherit from me. This inspired me to make him onesie.
A year later, he proudly adorned my inaugural design—his first design, “Folklorico.” Over the ensuing five years, our offerings have expanded to encompass books, spiritual aids, and gift items. Each creation serves as a mosaic piece, contributing to the intricate narrative of our identity. Our mission extends beyond personal reflection, guiding others on a journey of remembrance and comprehension, unraveling the complexities and beauty inherent in our shared history.
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?
Ojala Threads Inc. is a one stop shop for Tainos, the first people to encounter Columbus. As Tekina, or tribal teacher, I use everyday items to tell our stories and help other Tainos remember their indigeneity. For many, an encounter with me is the first step to understanding who they are fully. Our collection is the first time they see their identity fully represented. Our clothing and books support their education and spiritual awakening.
Our flagship item is the baby bodysuit. It is hand-printed in the South Bronx using nontoxic ink, and gift wrapped with a poem. This gift item is a favorite of aunties and uncles that want to honor the indigeneity of the newest members of their families. Our collection of books includes the journal entries of the priest that accompanied Columbus when he arrived in the Dominican Republic and Zandunga a modern fairy tale about a Taino girl.
Guatu Ke Ini Inaru’s colonial name is Ramona Ferreyra. She is a social entrepreneur and Founder of Ojala Threads and Save Section 9. A doodler, historian, poet, advocate and defender, Guatuke identifies as Hispanic, indigenous, and disabled. She sees Ojala Threads as a love letter to her ancestors, and her descendants. She impacts policymaking in the areas of criminal justice reform, public housing and public transportation. Guatuke tweaked her leadership style at Harvard’s Kennedy School and Center for Creative Leadership. She previously led outreach efforts for the FBI and Department of Defense focused on community engagement and environmental resilience. She learned everything about retail while working at the Gap for nine years.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
We continue to connect with 80% of our customers at in person pop up events. I participate in events that are aligned with our culture and values.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
I use Shopify. I launched our website with a different service but was convinced by other business owners to switch to Shopify. I am so glad I did. The platform is so easy to use, and the apps are helpful.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ojalathreads.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ojalathreads
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonayferreyra/
