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

Hi Regina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

It was important for me to create a name that reflected the core identity of my business. My faith and desire to share my story with others inspired me to name my business Manegratia Press.

The name “Manegratia” is derived from the Latin words “Mane” and “Gratia,” which translates to “Morning Grace.” This concept encapsulates my mission: to provide tools that help people live intentionally and gain a deeper connection to their Catholic faith.

This inspiration came to me during a time when I was feeling lost and challenged by my own faith. I was discouraged by some mistakes I had made, and I felt that I was not truly the best version of myself. As a result, I felt that I had failed myself and my relationship with God. While reading scripture, I came across a verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Then it struck me – His mercies are new every morning. It was a great reminder that regardless of the setbacks we face in life, there is a gift and grace of a new morning to start again.

Thus, the phrase “Morning Grace” speaks to the daily renewal of faith and ongoing journey of spiritual growth, themes that are central to my products. Naming the business Manegratia Press felt like the perfect way to honor these values and invite others to experience the peace and refreshment of starting a new day. This name reminds me daily of my mission and the heart behind every product I create.

Through Manegratia Press, I aim to offer more than just books; I strive to provide a space for reflection, creativity, and spiritual nourishment. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the story behind the name, and I hope it resonates with you as deeply as it does with me.

Regina, 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 grew up with a passion for art and creativity. I was also drawn to healthcare and later decided to pursue a career in dentistry. I am currently working as a general dentist in Southern California, and I am also the creator and founder of Manegratia Press. While my primary profession is dentistry, I am equally passionate about growing my small business,

Working as a dentist, I focus on comprehensive care, aesthetics, and attention to detail—values that I also apply to my work at Manegratia Press.

Designing journals and coloring books as a creative outlet, I started Manegratia Press as a passion project. It has since grown into a thriving small business, achieving consistent daily sales and receiving positive feedback from customers. My mission is to create products that inspire creativity and mindfulness, with a special emphasis on sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith and the significance of living each day intentionally.

What sets Manegratia Press apart is our unwavering commitment to truth, beauty, and goodness, as well as the personal touch that goes into each product. My goal is to bring a little more loveliness and mindfulness into the world while sharing my story and faith.

I am most proud of my Blessed Mother Notebook Collection and the heartfelt feedback from customers, which affirms the effort and passion behind my work. I look forward to designing more products and building a community centered around my mission.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

When I first started Manegratia Press, it was a private endeavor. I kept it behind the scenes and didn’t share it with friends or family. It was an odd feeling, realizing that it seemed easier to sell to strangers than to people who knew me. Perhaps I feared that my friends and family would dislike my notebook designs or product ideas, which I later learned was completely untrue.

Despite this, I started making a few sales and felt the drive to keep growing. After finding the courage to share my business with friends and family, I received overwhelmingly positive feedback, which boosted my confidence and steered Manegratia Press toward greater success. This experience taught me the importance of sharing your passion with those around you and not underestimating the support of your personal network. It was a turning point that truly affirmed me and helped grow Manegratia Press to where it is today. I am excited to continue growing the business, to build an engaged community and to share new designs and product launches.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Manegratia Press is currently my side hustle and passion project, while I work full-time in dentistry. I have a deep hope and ambition to see Manegratia Press grow further. The story of Manegratia Press began with my love for my Catholic faith and a simple desire to create. One of the pivotal moments in this journey was when I started gaining consistent sales every day. I thought to myself, “How amazing it is to publish a coloring book and see my notebook designs being sold.” Getting here took some time, but it was incredibly validating to see genuine interest and need for the products I was creating. This consistent demand gave me the confidence to invest more time and resources into the business. As Manegratia Press grows, my mission remains clear: to provide beautifully crafted tools that help others live their days with grace, intention, and a deeper connection to their faith. Balancing dentistry and a small business has been challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Manegratia Press.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.manegratia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manegratiapress
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555378460297&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Edward Vuong