We were lucky to catch up with Veronica Carrillo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

THREE SIXTY was founded in 2017 by Veronica Carrillo, a Venezuelan entrepreneur with a background in Chemical Engineering and Food Science. Prior to starting her own business, she had already established a successful brand, “Viva la Vida,” and had been invited to create exclusive designs for a local modeling competition. In addition to running her own business, she also worked in marketing management roles in both Venezuela and Panama. However, after deciding that Venezuela was no longer a safe place to live and work, and noticing a lack of opportunities in the region, she decided to move to the United States in July 2017.
Our mission at Three Sixty is deeply personal to me. It’s not just about selling clothes; it’s about creating a space where women feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. Moving to the U.S. in 2017 was a leap of faith—leaving behind a successful career and a life I’d built in Venezuela wasn’t easy. But in those challenges, I found clarity: I wanted to create something that honored my roots, uplifted others, and brought women together.

Fashion has always been more than fabric and trends to me. Growing up in Venezuela, I saw how a well-chosen outfit could transform a woman’s confidence, giving her the courage to face her day or chase her dreams. I also witnessed the power of community—how women supporting each other could create incredible change. That’s the heart of Three Sixty.

Our curated collection isn’t just about beautiful, high-quality fashion. It’s about telling a story. Depending of the season we curate pieces from Latin American artisans and local female-owned brands in the DMV. Supporting these women and their craft is my way of giving back and paying forward the support I’ve received.

When a customer walks into Three Sixty, I want her to feel welcomed, celebrated, and inspired to be herself. To me, it’s about more than style—it’s about connection, confidence, and community. That’s why this mission matters so much. It’s a reflection of my journey, my values, and my dream to create a ripple effect of empowerment, one outfit at a time.

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?

Hi, I’m Veronica Carrillo, founder of Three Sixty. It begins back in 2015 in my hometown of Maracaibo, Venezuela. What started as a creative hobby—hand-painting T-shirts and sweatshirts—quickly grew into something much bigger. My friends loved my designs and began asking for their own, which inspired me to turn this passion project into a brand called 360 It Girl.

The name 360 symbolized a full circle—a world of collected experiences, people, and cultures united as one. Meanwhile, “It Girl” represented women staying confident and stylish, always keeping up with the latest trends. It was about more than just clothing; it was about creating a community of women who felt bold and beautiful in what they wore.

However, as my home country became increasingly unsafe, I realized it was time to make a change—not just for my safety but for the chance to pursue greater opportunities. So in July 2017, I left behind everything I knew and started over in the U.S., settling in Baltimore, Maryland.

When I came to the U.S. in 2017, I had just $600 in my pocket. No family, no friends—just a suitcase full of hope and an unshakable belief that I could rebuild myself and my brand. Starting over wasn’t easy, but I was determined to make it work.

I took on any job I could find, server, bartender, baking goods, cleaning houses. Each role taught me something new—patience, hard work, and the value of connecting with people. Then, I got an opportunity that changed everything: a supervisor position at Anthropologie. That’s where I truly fell in love with retail. Every day, I learned something new about customer experience, merchandising, and the art of storytelling through fashion. After a year, I felt ready to take a leap of faith. I decided to relaunch my brand, now simplified as Three Sixty.

In 2021, I hosted my first-ever Pop-Up at La Cosecha in Washington, D.C. It was a defining moment for me. I poured my heart into curating a collection that was stylish, accessible, and unique. That event opened my eyes to something important: a massive gap in the local market. There weren’t any other retailers offering the kind of carefully curated, fashion-forward pieces that women were looking for.

Fueled by that realization, I doubled down. That year alone, I hosted over 20 Pop-Ups, driving back and forth between Baltimore and D.C., often with my car packed to the brim with merchandise. I spent countless weekends setting up displays, connecting with customers, and helping women find pieces that made them feel confident and beautiful.

It wasn’t glamorous—it was exhausting, messy, and at times overwhelming. But every time a customer walked away smiling, every time someone told me how good they felt in something they bought, I knew I was on the right path.

Three Sixty was born out of my journey—a journey of resilience, reinvention, and a passion for empowering women. It’s a reminder that with hard work and faith in yourself, you can start over, rebuild, and create something beautiful out of the challenges life throws your way.

One morning, I woke up with a bold idea: What if we had a brick-and-mortar store? It felt like such a far-off dream, especially since I didn’t even know where to start. I had no idea what it took to rent a space, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the next step for Three Sixty. So, I picked up the phone and called my friend Kora, who’s a realtor, and asked for her help.

A few days later, we went to see a spot in Canton Square, Baltimore. The moment I stepped into the space, I knew it was the one. The vibe was incredible—charming, vibrant, and surrounded by other small businesses that felt like family. It was everything I’d envisioned for Three Sixty: a welcoming place where women could come not just to shop, but to feel part of something bigger.

That space became more than just a store—it became a symbol of how far I’d come. On May 12, 2023, I opened the doors to my very first location in my now beloved hometown of Baltimore. I’ll never forget that feeling of seeing the boutique come to life.

Opening that store was a dream I didn’t even know I had when I first started this journey. It’s a reminder to trust those wild ideas that wake you up in the morning. Because sometimes, they lead you to exactly where you’re meant to be.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Pop-Ups have been a game-changer for us. From our very first event at La Cosecha in Washington, D.C., I realized how powerful face-to-face interactions can be. These events allow me to meet customers where they are—whether it’s a bustling market, a trendy neighborhood, or a special community event. They’re more than just sales opportunities; they’re moments to share the story behind Three Sixty, understand what women are looking for, and build genuine relationships. In 2021 alone, I hosted over 20 Pop-Ups, driving back and forth from Baltimore to D.C. It was exhausting but incredibly rewarding. Those moments were pivotal in growing not just my clientele, but my confidence in the brand’s potential.

Social media has been our other powerhouse. Platforms like Instagram have allowed me to expand my reach beyond physical events and connect with women who might not even be in the same city. It’s where I share the story of Three Sixty—our mission, our curated collections, and the heart behind the brand. I focus on creating engaging content that feels personal, whether it’s showcasing a new piece, highlighting how to style it, or giving a behind-the-scenes look at running a small business. Social media has made it possible to build a community of women who feel connected to the brand, no matter where they are.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was “doing everything alone because I’ll do it better.” For so long, I believed that if I wanted something done right, I had to do it myself. That mindset served me when I first started Three Sixty, especially in the early days when I was building everything from scratch. But as the brand grew, so did the demands, and trying to do it all on my own became overwhelming.

The backstory? It starts with my early Pop-Up days. I was driving back and forth between Baltimore and D.C., packing my car with clothes, setting up displays, handling sales, and personally styling customers—all by myself. At first, I thought this hands-on approach was the only way to make sure everything was perfect. But I quickly realized that this mindset wasn’t sustainable. I was exhausted and stretched thin, and it was taking a toll not just on my energy but on the quality of my work.

It wasn’t until I started asking for help and trusting others that things really shifted. I began to build a team in our Canton Square location—people who shared my vision and cared just as much about the details as I did. Letting go of the need to control everything was scary at first, but it taught me that collaboration doesn’t mean compromising quality; it means multiplying your impact.

Today, I know that Three Sixty isn’t just about me—it’s about the community I’ve built around the brand. My team brings fresh ideas and unique perspectives that make us stronger, and I’m grateful every day for their support. Unlearning the idea that “I have to do it all” was a tough lesson, but it was also one of the most important ones for the growth of my business and myself as an entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://storethreesixty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/store_threesixty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storethreesixty

Image Credits

Isabella Bonvissuto Photography