Tell us about what you do..

I have a swimwear lifestyle brand called Pura Vida, it’s based in Mexico City. It’s mainly swimwear but we also make light coats in the winter, raincoats in the summer/rainy season, and almost one size fits all skirts and dresses. We focus on design, quality, and functionality; not only are our designs comfortable but you’ll look amazing in anything you wear of ours! 

How did you get started?

I used to work in a corporate job in a big food and beverage company, not only did I strongly dislike working there but I realized corporate life (at least in that particular company) wasn’t for me, but that was where my idea was born. When I first started working there, girls (and myself included) would wear heals, skirts, pantsuits, etc. But since the dress code was business casual, I started noticing how girls started wearing more and more casual clothes to work … and it looked terrible! Trying to hide jeans as nice pants? So I came up with the idea of a brand that is casual yet elegant, where you can wear your clothing from the gym to the office, at the beach or at a wedding, in the pool or as a shirt. That was when Pura Vida was born and why we consider it a lifestyle brand. 

What has been the most challenging moment in your career?

Leaving my steady, regular income job in an office where if you behave you get promoted. The formula is that simple. Proving to my friends and family that it was a good idea to start a business, convincing them by showing them that following what you are passionate about will always help you lead a happier life and do better overall was key in my development. 

What was the most braggable moment?

Getting a collaboration with iconic sparkling water brand Perrier. We launched an entire collection this past summer inspired by the water bottle and its heritage. It was fun, challenging, exciting, and really helped me grow as a designer and brand administrator. 

What would you say is your biggest weakness?

I would say that I don’t enjoy confrontation. My parents raised me as an educated person who says please and thank you, and that has been great when meeting new people and leaving first impressions, but it is hard in the fashion industry where sometimes you have to be rough and more demanding in order to get things on time and for people to respect you. People associate politeness with being weak, you have to fight that.

And your greatest strength?

I don’t enjoy routines. No day in my life is the same as the other, I like to change my workouts, eat different foods, which for a steady office I consider this a great weakness and one of the main reasons life in that particular company was torture for me. But in your own business and having your own brand, you cover so many different areas (design, finance, sales, accounting, marketing, legal, etc) that instead of going crazy I thrive from this variety. Also, the fashion industry is anything but boring and routine, sometimes I feel it moves way too fast, I find myself launching a product design which I know that in a few months will be irrelevant. This keeps me on my feet. 

What was the greatest lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?

Don’t trust anyone. That sounds a little paranoid and cheesy but it’s true. Someone who you think is close to you can turn into a stranger in an instant, from love to hate in a second. I recently had an experience with someone very close in my business who I trusted completely with the majority of the administrative decisions and that didn’t end well. Don’t be so entrusted to others and always have a backup for everything. Also when it comes to picking staff and employees, they should be people who are not close to any of the business partners in order to avoid bias and team alliances. 

What do you love most about what you do?

Making an idea I had in my head come to life. You can draw it, you can color it, explain the fabric, but it isn’t until it is completely finished  and I get to appreciate my work on a physical level, that I realize how much I enjoy this passion of mine. There is no greater feeling than making your abstract ideas into something real, tangible and that can be around for many years on earth. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I’m from Mexico City and after high school, I went to school in the US. When I graduated and learned I was coming back to Mexico, I was a little nervous. I had made a very active life there, since I made a lot of friends and we were all in the same mood of exploring and getting to know other cities and people. I was afraid that in Mexico I would go back to the life I had in high school, very limited and enclosed social circles. One of my friends who also lives in Mexico and studied in the US told me something I will never forget: “Don’t go back to Mexico thinking of the city you know and the people you hang out with. Experience it as if you have never lived there before, as if you were moving to a city where you don’t know people there.” And that is what I did. I came back with a new way of thinking. I didn’t ignore my old friends or anything, I just started exploring the city more. This helped me meet new and interesting people, make friends with people I probably would’ve never met, and know my city in a deeper and rooted level. This advice changed my life, I became another person and thank him everyday for helping me embrace Mexico to the fullest.

How do you define happiness?

If you wake up one day, are you excited about the day to come? Are you nervous from sleep because you can’t stop thinking about something or someone? If you are going to an event are you jittery and feel butterflies for what is going to happen? When you are at work does time pass quickly? Do you find yourself wishing you were elsewhere doing something else? These are the questions I ask myself everyday and for me the answer is simple. I am a highly sensitive person, so I usually feel more than others. I’ll cry in an unnecessary moment or get emotionally attached to most situations. When I ask myself these questions and my gut feeling is positive, that for me is happiness. Your own body is telling your mind what your subconscious is feeling, what I do is listen to my body and connect it to my mind. Happiness is feeling excited, anxious (the good kind), and getting up from your bed every morning with a positive view on life. If you spend all day thinking of other things you wish you were doing, go do those things. It is not until you are satisfied with your inner self when you will find happiness. No one can give you that except yourself. 

What book are you currently reading?

I am reading two at the moment to balance out styles. The first is Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” and the second one I am rereading is Mario Benedetti’s “La Tregua.” I love Stephen King and consider his writing style easy to read and intrigues you right away. La Tregua is a tragic love story, but beautifully written and I consider it a strong critique on something that happens most regularly than talked about. 

What’s a personal habit that you believe contributes to your success?

I have a very good memory. Which I guess is not a habit but a trait. But I attribute my success to my memory because I rarely have to write anything down and have this routine of reviewing my to-dos in my head. Weirdly so I sometimes write down everything I have to do but never check the list again, as if writing it down I memorized it. This helps me because I can dispute and win arguments thanks to my memory, I’ll go so specific into the situation that people will accept defeat. I keep myself organized in my own way and am really good in reminding people of their tasks at hand. 

Have you collaborated with another business/artist in the past? (if yes tell us how it benefited you, if no tell us how you would like to)

Yes, plenty. Besides the Perrier collaboration, I have collaborated with other fashion brands like the up and coming Robby x D brand, as well as many photographers, graphic designers, bloggers, influencers and models. I think collaborations are the future. Instead of everyone paying for services and products, we are going back to the trade system, which I think is great! I’m always open to collaborate with others since I enjoy seeing how their artistic perspective changes completely; whether it be their photography style, or their print design being completely different from other artists I’ve worked with. Part of my brand is what others can offer, it brings excitement and variety to the table.