We recently connected with Vanessa Serratos and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The story behind Santo Patrè pays homage in honoring my family and lost loved ones.

Back in Christmas of 2021, I didn’t have the means to purchase gifts for everyone in my family. I love treating those I care about, it is one of my love languages. One of the best ways to make a gift memorable is to show thoughtfulness. I wanted to create sentimental gifts for my loved ones and decided I would visit my local crafts store.

As I was walking around, I came across the jewelry section and fell in love with the variety of gemstone beads I found. I purchased plastic pearls, wire, and the tools necessary to bring my idea to life. I created personalized necklaces, phone charms, and bracelets as gifts for my family and friends. I began to post my creations online and the feedback I received was amazing. Being able to see my designs on those who supported my craft was something I would have never imagined. Santo Patrè was created from hardship and turned into something beautiful.

The meaning behind the name is in tribute to my grandpa, Patricio. My grandpa was born on March 17th, Saint Patrick’s day. Whenever my grandparents would visit from Mexico, they always brought back gifts; one being jewelry. My grandparents expressed their love in any way they could. Unfortunately, with the beautiful gift of life, comes loss. The last moments spent with my grandpa was when he and my grandma blessed my very first Virgin Mary chain. This piece holds sentimental value to me. It is the only necklace I have worn everyday for the past 4 years. I named the business after him, because he and my grandma made a significant impact on my values and gratitude for jewelry.

I wanted to elevate the concept of custom jewelry and began sourcing freshwater pearls (AAA+) in different colors, shapes, and sizes. All gemstones along with the rosary chains used are ethically sourced and have been verified by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) for authenticity. I am able to collaborate with the consumer on what it is they would like incorporated in their 1 of 1 piece. It has been an honor creating jewelry pieces for those who have been supporting the brand since then.

Vanessa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Vanessa Serratos and I am a first-generation Chicana. I am the oldest daughter out of 5 children. I have lived in the 805 for the majority of my life. I moved to Sacramento to attend CSUS and graduated with my BA in Child and Adolescent Development. I have been working with children with special needs for several years. I have a younger sibling, who has autism, and is my motivator behind my career. I like to use person-first language, which puts the person before the disability. It emphasizes the worth of the individual by recognizing them as a person instead of a condition. I am currently attending grad school to become a practitioner in Applied Behavior Analysis. Everything I do in life is for my family. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support from them. They are my backbone.

Style is in my family’s blood. We all have different takes on what makes us feel comfortable and confident. It is what sets us apart while also connecting us together. I have always appreciated the beauty of experimenting with clothing and accessories that felt true to who I am. Clothing as a canvas represents the image we would like to portray. It is unique to who we are, what we value, and what interests us to the outside world. My community is my culture and my biggest inspiration. I am able to put looks together based on what I digest from my environment, and from what makes me feel good. Capture your essence in your style, it speaks before you do.

Jewelry is a symbol of power. It is a meaningful way to express your individuality. Jewelry isn’t just an accessory, it elevates what’s already there. With creating custom jewelry pieces, it is tailored to you and to you only. I love the idea of not seeing a replica of something I designed. Whereas mass-produced jewelry uses pre-made designs. I am able to work with the consumer on understanding their preferences, needs, and can craft a piece unique to their style. I have created over hundreds of pieces, and not one design is the same – it is what I am most proud of.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I had just started a new job a little before the holidays. I began putting money aside and saved up to purchase the materials needed for orders. I spent several days researching how I could improve on the initial material I was using. I wanted to be proud of what I was producing, something the consumer would appreciate endlessly. I began working full-time at my new job and wouldn’t be able to spend time on Santo Patrè until about 9 PM each night. I would make jewelry all night until about 2 AM. This wasn’t a sustainable routine for me, and I knew I would have to create a healthy balance in separating my work to spend time on myself and loved ones. Through trial and error, I was able to determine which designing method worked best for me. I used every experience, both good and bad, as a learning opportunity.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I try to connect with my audience on an emotional level. Each jewelry piece stems from a personal experience; essentially it is our story through a physical product. Jewelry is a piece of art. It holds value when emotions are added to it. Being able to create sentimental pieces for my community holds substance. I do my best to express my gratitude for the love and support Santo Patrè receives. My heart is full from how many connections that’ve been created between strangers who are now supporters. I once had someone tell me, “I appreciate the storytelling you curate with your collections… maybe not everyone considers that, but I definitely like to recognize that the art extends beyond just beautiful jewelry.” The messages exchanged fuel the passion I have for my craft even more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @santo.patre
• Other: @vanessahserratos Email: santo.patre@outlook.com