'A Flower Doesn't Bloom Overnight' Lessons Learned from 20 Years as a Creative Entrepreneur
Lisa Rocha at Shop Mi Vida
When Lisa Rocha began doing trade shows in 1999, she noticed that there were not many Latina inspired or products with a Latinx cultural aesthetic. "There was nothing available online the only place you could find anything was at Olvera street." Nowadays, there are a plethora of influential Latinx brands at our fingertips; however, at the time, the lack of representation inspired Lisa to create ilaments, a Latinx lifestyle brand.
Lisa Rocha, CEO, Entrepreneur, and Chola Boss of ilaments, began her career trajectory in the mid-nineties after working for a jewelry designer that was running her business out of her home. Soon after, Lisa started to design Jewelry and became a vendor at Self Help Graphics. "I loved all of their art shows, which lead me to ask how I could become a vendor? Back in the '90s, they had several events throughout the year. So, the first time I set-up and began vending was in 1996. The cost at the time was $10 for a table in their upstairs salon. Yes, $10! And I remember selling one of my first necklaces to one of my soon to be best friends. It was the place that gave me an outlet into the Latinx/Chicanx Art Scene."
Since then, ilaments has been sold in local L.A. boutiques like Mi Vida, Fred Segal, ChimMaya Gallery, and in Museums such as The Smithsonian Institution, The Autry, The Museum of Latin American Art, and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Lisa has also been featured InStyle Magazine, Latina Magazine, Cosmo Latina, and Teen Vogue.
ilaments ("ila," meaning "one who takes on challenges" and "ments" stemming from the word "elements), represent culture, community, self-discovery, and style. With statement pieces like "Chola boss" or "Chingona," Lisa infuses her Latinx culture and urban style to create unique, handmade pieces that reflect not only her personal story but also that of her community. "It was vital for me to create pieces that would represent my cultural background and serve as a reminder of my Mexican/Native American Ancestors and Chicanx Heritage."
Looking back on your career, what advice would you give to your past self when you were just starting out? I would advise my younger self to incorporate my business from the beginning. Now I understand this is the way to set yourself up for future success. Build the right business structure; that way, you have a consistent method to guide where you should focus and invest.
What are the most important lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur? Is there anything you would do differently? Listen to my intuition. In earlier years, I just began and kept going. I didn't stop to re-evaluate or research the benefits of a business investor. However, I wouldn't change anything. You are who you are because of your mistakes. We need errors to teach us the lessons we need to succeed.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work/business? The more I think about this, the more I feel it was my Grandmother Carmen. She was innovative, a hard worker, someone who loved big and was very supportive. I see a lot of her within me. Now I am starting to approach what I do with the thought of leaving a legacy for my daughters, just like my Grandma Carmen did with her Nachos at El Cholo. I want women to believe in themselves, to believe in their genius talents.
When you're faced with a creativity block, what's your strategy to get innovating? Going for a brisk walk or run helps get out of my head and push through any mental blocks, reading helps as well! But when it comes to designing, it's about getting out of your own way. We are our biggest enemies. I start by creating a simple design, and then it just begins to flow. The key after that is to keep working on the design and not end in the middle. So whatever you are creating, remember to finish that sketch, create that design, and write down that idea.
What are you learning now to stay innovative? Why is that important? I've learned that my secret sauce is me. I remain innovative by looking within and staying true to what I want to make at that moment. We are all part of this collective creative consciousness, yet there is only one YOU! And as long as I keep doing me and not try to be someone else, I can continually stay innovative.
What advice would you give to someone who is venturing into entrepreneurship? Write your mission statement. Write down your business intention. It is the GPS for your business that will guide you where to go, how to get there, and how to make it happen. Without a plan, it will be harder to focus on your business goals. Make sure it is something that makes you feel good! Entrepreneurship is about following your dreams, your idea to full completion, but then you have to be patient. A flower doesn't bloom overnight; it requires soil, sun, and water. So, always be patient!
“Entrepreneurship is about following your dreams, your idea to full completion, but then you have to be patient. A flower doesn’t bloom overnight; it requires soil, sun, and water. So, always be patient!”
What are some personal or business goals you have for 2020? I want to leave a legacy with ilaments. I want my Jewelry to give back, to use my designs to give back thru microloans to other entrepreneurs. I have a bigger idea in mind that requires an investor or a lot of investors! So if you know of any investors who want to tap into the Trillion Dollar Latina Market, send them my way so we can talk!
How has entrepreneurship changed in the last 20 years?
Entrepreneurship has changed drastically in the last twenty years, from owning Brick n' Mortars to the decline of malls, and the rise in e-commerce businesses. Consumers shop directly from their mobile devices, and the days of requiring a credit card machine to charge for services is over. Now all you have to do is scan a Venmo code. Technology has changed the way we do business in many ways; however, for a creative entrepreneur like myself, it has never been easier to make your visions and dreams come true.
What does it mean to be a Queen?
A Queen is someone who stands in her own truth, knows who she is, and claims it like her birthright. Yet always remembers who she is representing, first herself, and then being an example to others.
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