Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Miranda.
Hi Helen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Helen Miranda, I am 36 years old, I’ve lived in Orlando most of my life. I love art, photography, and anything nerdy. I’m a Cat mom, a wife, the daughter of Colombian immigrants, a big sister and now a small business owner. As for how I got to where I am today, It all started when the Pandemic hit, we were on lockdown and I’d go make masks with my mom on the weekends for her co-workers. People started asking where we got our masks from and that’s when it hit me, Hmmm we may have something here. Cover Yo Face Gurl was born, a year of mom and I making masks and doing shows turned into me wanting to continue this feeling of having a successful small shop. Learning how to navigate a social media business page, creating an online shop, taking products photos and making posts, this was all new to me. After having been furloughed due to Covid then getting called back to work, I knew something had to change. I hated the feeling of being so lost. Six months after returning to work, our entire Orlando Branch shut down and all the employees were laid off. I was in that hospitality role for ten years. It was all I knew. That was my AHA moment, the push I needed. I knew the mask thing wasn’t going to be around forever so I took all my passions and transformed my vision into Cover Yo Space Gurl. My love of puns, photography, art and home decor played a huge role in what direction I wanted the new business to take. I knew I wanted to continue living my life being creative and enjoying every minute of it. I wanted to wake up and not work for anyone else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road wasn’t always smooth, a start-up mask shop with little to no followers, I knew I had to build up my reputation. After nonstop Instagram posts and making sure I hashtagged the heck out of stuff, I finally submitted my first market application. I got approved to vend at Bazaar Botanica, which is a monthly event at Ivanhoe Park Brewing showcasing 30+ vendors. The energy I felt at markets was indescribable. I loved talking to event goers and other vendors, all while selling a product my mom and I put all our love into. We knew what we had was great. I was wearing these masks at work for 8 hours a day. I knew the product we had was going to catch on. There would be days I would go straight from my day job and help my mom sew at night leading up to events. I was juggling trying to build an online presence while holding on to a hospitality job I was too comfortable to leave and being a wife. At times it did feel overwhelming. I was my happiest at markets, but even then Florida weather always had it in for vendors. Afternoon downpours and gusty winds always put a damper on that outdoor market experience, not to mention the blistering heat.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With having switched from simply mask making to art, it’s been quite a transition. I’m trying out new mediums and techniques I learned from school and online videos. I’m currently taking pottery classes to expand my knowledge and be able to offer new items in my shop. I’ve always been into the arts and I dabble in photography and interior design as well. As for specialty, I like the unique, I like creating items that are not easily found in stores. I want to always have what I offer to evolve into other forms of art. Last month I was obsessed with strawberries and that was all I painted for weeks. Then I moved onto fall which is my favorite season and now I’m entranced with these cute spooky ghost ornaments. I’m proud of the fact that I’m giving Cover Yo Space Gurl my all. I’m painting things I love and it’s not always going to be the same, I am proud that I am growing into my own and I know with time that will only evolve into something else.
What’s next?
I’m currently taking it all week by week. Being present in the moment and creating pieces when I feel inspired to is the absolute best. As for the future? I’d like to take more art classes and expand on that a little more. My dream would be to own a small brick and mortar featuring small shops from all over Orlando. Specializing in anything from candles, to art, to plants just kind of a one stop shop home boutique. I’d have rotating vendor spaces and host craft nights and maybe even offer a cool artist space, the possibilities are endless.
Contact Info:
- Email: Coveryospacegurl@outlook.com
- Website: Coveryofacegurl.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: @coveryospacegurl
