Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia, Paola, & Monica Martinez.
Hi Sonia, Paola, & Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are three cousins: Paola, Monica and Sonia. For years we envisioned starting a business together. While brainstorming one day, we decided we wanted a business doing something we were passionate about and allowed us to help others along the way.
An opportunity arose to purchase a few Wayuu Mochila bags and have them shipped to us here in Orlando, FL. The bags are handmade by Wayuu indigenous communities in La Guajira, the northernmost region of Colombia, but are popular throughout the country. During our trips to the mercados in Colombia, we noticed the bags often, but we didn’t know much about them. When we received them, we instantly fell in love with their beauty and craftsmanship. We sensed that others would appreciate their distinctive beauty as well. We offered them to friends and family and the response was unanimous. Everyone loved them! Interest in the bags grew quickly and we realized there could be a significant demand for this product. Primavera Andina was born! The name is a play on words as, in Spanish, “prima” means cousin and “primavera” means spring; a symbol of new beginnings. “Andina” references the Andes mountains, so it’s a tribute to our Colombian roots.
It became important for us to find a way to purchase from the Wayuu community directly. The Universe conspired to help us with this intention. We met someone who happened to work directly with the Wayuu community. She facilitated a direct connection between us. Inspired by our chance encounter, we traveled to La Guajira to meet them in person. They introduced us to their culture, the art of making mochilas and the needs of their communities. We realized we could make greater impact on the artisans and their communities by purchasing from them directly. We began sending donations of money, clothing, shoes and medical supplies. With the support of our community, we have been able to send donations on a regular basis.
We eventually were able to make connections with other indigenous groups in Colombia and expanded our product line. Along the way, we also met talented artisans who make jewelry from seeds, wood, nuts and other natural materials. We’ve recently begun offering trendy handmade fashion jewelry crafted by other talented Colombian artisans.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha! It certainly has not been a smooth road, but the journey has been fulfilling. Building a business from the ground up has many inherent challenges. Add international affairs into the mix and it gets more interesting. Some of the hurdles we encounter include navigating fluctuating money exchange rates, political unrest that disrupts the supply chain, unreliable internet connections, cultural differences and logistics. Now top that off with a global pandemic!
We’ve been impressed with Primavera Andina, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Primavera Andina offers bags and accessories handmade by artisans of Colombia. We provide products made by people of the Wayuu, Embera and Zenú indigenous groups as well as other talented Colombian artisans. Each product you purchase makes a direct impact in these communities. While our journey began with selling Wayuu mochilas (bags), we’ve now expanded our product line to include a variety of accessories. Many of our products are unique in that they are made of interesting materials such as seeds, nuts, wood, fruits, shells, plant fibers, and stones. We are most proud and honored to personally work with artisans and establish relationships with them. We give back to those communities by donating the proceeds from select products and also by mailing donations of clothing, shoes, school supplies, toys and medical supplies on a regular basis.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
We are really fortunate to have a strong support system. Our friends, family, community and the connections we’ve made have been instrumental to our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: primaveraandina.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primaveraandina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primaveraandinaa
Image Credits
Clarisa Benmaman, Pretty Salty Studio
