Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Maria Martinez and Oriana Zarraga.
Hi Ana and Oriana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Ana Maria Martinez Rebolledo, a Venezuelan proud of her homeland who decided to settle in the United States in search of better opportunities for her family. Emigrating presents strong challenges, it is starting from scratch and relearning everything, new ways of communicating, new language…The life you had is left behind and making way for new friendships, jobs, and experiences, molds you and makes you the strongest version of you.
Right now, I am a mom, wife, breadwinner, daughter, sister, friend, and responsible for anyone I can help to get ahead. Every day I look for new ways to be entrepreneurial and to give the best of myself to everyone I meet.
My greatest wish is that my children and those who know me see that nothing is impossible for those who persist, do not give up and work hard to get what they want. God gives us the gift of life and it is up to us to live it in the best way possible. With Him and with our effort, everything is possible.
I am Oriana Zarraga Venezuelan, I arrived in the United States in November 2015, since my arrival in this country I had very clear that I came to fulfill my dreams and to give a better future to my children. Emigrating has not been easy, like everything else I have had challenges throughout these 7 years, but instead of fading before it I have come out stronger and more eager to move forward. What I want most is for my children to feel proud of their mother and to always keep in mind the values they see in me, honesty, working with the highest possible ethics, and never giving up.
Ana Maria and I have been friends for over 12 years, we worked together in Venezuela and lived together in our first year as emigrants. We both share the same values and vision of our lives, that is why in 2022 we decided to partner and create Flirty and Thriving Designs, this venture is the materialization of one of our greatest desires, to have our own business. It is the way of expression through which we intend to infect women like us to be flirty and prosperous.
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?
We believe that nothing worthwhile is easy, each of us has a full-time job, besides two children. Entrepreneurship in itself is another full-time job so having to balance our lives as moms and working women has been a great effort that requires a lot of organization, as well as very good communication and understanding. Women often feel guilty when we don’t spend 100% of our free time with our families, but when you become an entrepreneur, you come to understand that the example you are setting for your children is worth it and the time you spend with them becomes more valuable and of higher quality.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our business was born out of the need to bring a wider variety of accessories to suit today’s woman. Many times when we were looking for something for ourselves or to give to someone else we noticed that there were many repeated things, we decided to look outside the box and bring different things, with which women could feel identified, we have a few months since we opened and we already have a variety of styles and accessories that are also of excellent quality, we always test ourselves all our merchandise before putting them on sale, and when we see that if they meet our standards then is that we bring them to market.
What are your plans for the future?
Our idea is to reach beyond the borders so that women not only in Florida but all over the United States and the world can enjoy our products and love them as much as we do. We also believe in the support between small businesses and that we will always grow more if we go together, for us there is no rivalry, that is why we have plans to do events where we bring small businesses to make themselves known.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flirtyandthrivingdesigns.com
- Instagram: @flirtyandthriving_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flirtyandthrivingdesings
