We recently connected with Sofia De la Sota and have shared our conversation below.
Sofia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
A big risk I took was moving away from my home country of Argentina. I decided at young age that I needed more, and I began traveling abroad in my early twenties. I eventually landed in Hawaii for a few months before pursuing my PhD, and ended up meeting the most incredible man (who is now my now husband) and we were married a few short months later.
Fast forward almost fifteen years and we have three wonderful children and still live in Hawaii.
This type of risk – living abroad, learning a new language, traveling – it all helped shape me into the woman I am today and gave me the confidence to start my own business. It’s so easy to overthink things and create excuses as to why something won’t work, but I believe it’s important to override that voice and find ways to take action go after what you want.
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 a female entrepreneur, mom, wife, scientist and business owner. I started Gaucha a couple years ago after not being able to find quality leather like I’d grown up with in Argentina. I love handmade, high quality goods – to me what’s fashionable is when a product has a story and connects the purchaser to the process. I’m a proud supporter and advocate for the slow fashion movement – to buy products that won’t go out of style, and will last and be loved for many years.
Through some research, I learned about the tanning of leather and how a lot of what’s out there is treated with harsh chemicals and dyes. Vegetable tanning on the other hand uses only natural dyes that don’t contaminate the environment and the end user. The result is a leather that is soft, smooth and unique. The goal of my business is to offer women the best handmade leather bags and accessories, without the environmental impact of the fashion industry as we know it.
I partner with tanneries and workshops who pay fair, livable wages to its craftspeople and I did this as a way to give back to my home country. On a personal level, I truly hope Gaucha becomes a brand that inspires others to be intentional and conscious about their purchases. I want the owners of a Gaucha bag to wear it proudly knowing it’s of the highest quality, that someone made it by hand just for them, and that it will last a lifetime.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
When I started Gaucha, I knew nothing about fashion, leather or manufacturing. I am a scientist, I got my masters degree in Ecology. After taking a break from the sciences to devote my energy toward motherhood, I began brainstorming with my best friend from Argentina about bags, fashion and what would work here in the U.S. She has a background in fashion and had some good ideas and so with her help, I decided I would start my own business here.
I created the brand, the logo, began designing the bags, and eventually ordered my first (small) shipment with her help. She had the supplier connection and was coaching me every step of the way. It was going to be great!
And then just like that, she closed her boutique in Buenos Aires and moved to Spain. I quickly realized, from that moment on, I had to step up.
At that point in time, I had a few bags ordered, no one to purchase them, no supplier and a brand I had just put a few thousand dollars into. After some discussions with my husband, I decided to keep going. It would have been easy to quit but I saw too much potential in the idea to just give up.
I was able to get in touch with a few new suppliers, which ultimately ended up being a better fit. I was forced to learn fast about all aspects of the business, and the process came through trial and error. I’ve had some suppliers who I’ve cut ties with but have landed on a few that are incredible. I’ve visited the tanneries in person, met the staff that cut and sews the bags, walked the floor and saw the working environment. This has all taught me a valuable lesson and that is to not be intimidated by the process. and to keep your vision at the forefront.
My suppliers are amazing women who understand my vision, and help me make it a reality. I’m so glad I took the time to reach out and create those connections, because they are truly the backbone of the whole business.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Gaucha as a business came at an interesting time in my life. My kids were starting school, so I would have a more open schedule to explore a new career. The opportunity to start this business arrived, and I knew in my heart it was a good one.
As I was buying the initial inventory and started the process of registering the business, I also found out I was pregnant with my third child. Overwhelm doesn’t even start to explain the way I felt. My husband works full time, both our extended families live extremely far away and the daily tasks fall completely on me. Was I going to be able to raise three small children while building a new business without loosing my mind?
After a lot of thinking, I decided to keep on going, but on my own terms. I would work on it as I could, without loosing sight of what’s most important for me right now that is my family. I’m setting attainable goals, and not stressing for not being able to grow the business as fast I’d thought. I pledge to not rush, and let go of things I can’t control. But also, I’m giving it everything I have to make it successful.
I’m moving slow and steady towards my goal, enjoying each success as they trickle, and learning from the not-so-great decisions I made along the way. More than anything, I learned to give myself grace and time, and to never stop. I’m committed to make this business our main source of income, and show myself and my kids that with determination and hard work, dreams do come true.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gauchaleather.com
- Instagram: @gauchaleather
- Facebook: @gauchaleather
Image Credits
Amanda Cantor Jessica Akin Sofia de la Sota