Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Ayala.
Hi Nancy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I left a company I was with for almost 8 years because it no longer served me. It was mentally draining and I experienced the burnout feeling more often than not. As a mom of two, I noticed my energy towards my children when I would get home from work. I would find myself very tired and becoming frustrated quicker. I knew change was necessary. I didn’t think it meant starting my own business but it did lead me to grow a deeper connection within my Spiritual Journey.
I knew I wanted to share more than just positive words with others. I wanted to make a statement… literally. My partner had already started his t-shirt business at this time and guided me to start a collection of my own. A light bulb went off and then came the idea of creating t-shirts with spiritual sayings. I wanted to create sayings that were relatable and so I did. I started this journey on Instagram and received so much support from my followers on my personal account.
Shortly after, I created Luna And Gem’s very own Instagram account. I then got really creative and started offering more than just t-shirts and sweatshirts! I realized that the deeper I became in my spiritual journey, the more ideas came flowing. I began selling everyday items I use myself. I posted a poll on my Instagram one day asking if there was anything specific I should offer in my shop, I received several responses but one really stood out. It read “A Journal”.
I asked myself, how could I incorporate a Journal in my Spiritual Collection, That is when I created my very own Affirmations Journal! Maybe 2-3 days later! As a thank you, I sent the person who responded to the poll, their very own journal. I now sell Affirmation Journals, Smudge Sticks, Palo Santo and so much more!
My small Latina-owned business continues to grow and I am so excited to share all the new items I am working on bringing to Luna And Gems!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been smooth and definitely a lot of discouraging moments along this journey. That’s just it though, it’s a journey and I’ve learned to appreciate both the good and the not so good. It’s been a learning process. The not-so-good experiences allow me to appreciate those good moments even more!
There are days, I don’t get any orders and would compare myself to other accounts asking why am I not getting the same amount of orders. It took me some time to stop comparing and just ride my own journey out. I even stopped making new items and stopped posting on my Instagram account for some time. I was sure it was the end. I was so focused on the how can I make money now mentality that I lost my inspiration.
There was another business that shared a few markets she was attending and I will never forget how grateful I was. I did one and that spark came back. So many people who passed by my booth had so many beautiful comments to say. It really made me remember why I started this collection.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I moved from New York with my two children and partner less than a year ago and literally took a chance! Covid was just calming down. I left a company I was with for almost to 8 years and thought I can do all the things I did there for myself. I did just that. Before starting Luna And Gems, I not only worked a full-time job but I also did Event Planning.
AmourAmorPartyEvents was my very first business. When I moved to Florida, I changed the location in my bio from NY to FL and immediately received inquiries. I have been doing parties here in Florida since! Everything I do is right in the creating field you can say. I am a Latina-driven individual who is an event planner that owns AmourAmorPartyEvents, created a new business called PoppinCandyCart that offers creative Cotton Candy Carts.
I have a Spiritual Collection called Luna And Gems and I also do social media management for business accounts. Multiple streams of income haha. I’m extremely proud of my creativity and how I can literally do anything I put my mind to. I enjoy staying busy! My children and partner support all that I do. They are my biggest cheerleaders!!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If I can share advice with someone who is just starting, I would say, start before you’re “ready”. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Your journey will never be the same as everyone’s. If you have an idea, put it out there! You create your own story!
Contact Info:
- Email: Lunaandgems@gmail.com
- Website: Lunaandgems.com
- Instagram: @Lunaandgems
- TikTok: @Lunaandgems
