Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Martinez.
Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Long before I could mouth the word ‘fashion’, I was indirectly being bred for the fashion industry. My playground was my grandmother’s workshop and my toys included needle, thread and reams of fabric. As my grandmother worked tirelessly making hospital uniforms, I was dreaming up my very first designs, When I wasn’t playing at my grandmother’s, I was doubling as a mannequin for my mother who also studied fashion design.
Five years ago, I made the difficult decision to leave my homeland in search of artistic freedom and the opportunity to follow my dream of launching my own line of women’s clothing. After much thought and hesitation, I took the plunge and started my business with $250. My husband and I launched our first pop-up at the Wynwood Marketplace, where I realized I had a sixth sense for styles that drive trends. From there, I joined the MAG Fashion Lounge at Sunset Place and evolved into an Image Consultant helping dress everyone from business executives to beauty contestants.
Today, my style reflects my many moods and experiences and can range from sleek, dark and sexy to colorful and casual, and everything in between. At LaMar, we pride ourselves in helping our clients reinvent themselves through design, textures and concepts that break from old norms.
Being a boutique owner comes with plenty of challenges but they pale in comparison to the satisfaction I feel when I can help a client feel better about themselves.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Challenges have included leaving my beloved Barranquilla and my family in search of an opportunity in the US, the uncertainty of being an immigrant and facing the cultural differences and language barriers. There were times where I wasn’t sure where I would sleep and others when I couldn’t afford a hot plate of food. There were many doubts and second guesses, and at times I lost sight of what I really wanted. Thankfully I met my husband and as we fall in love, I realized I now had the support system in place to really go after my dream. The next challenge was starting a business with just $250 and then worrying about inventory when working markets such as Wynwood, and of course dealing with the inclement Miami weather. Being an entrepreneur is never going to be an easy road and it is full of challenges, but it is also extremely fulfilling.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At LaMar, we are a boutique where we offer top sellers such as our ladies suits, sophisticated dresses and gorgeous headbands. However, we also advise our clients and help them transform their wardrobe, mood and outlook on life. We present versatile styles that can be used in many of the different roles we have to play, including being Mothers, Entrepreneurs, Home Makers, Professionals and Partners.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There is a big shift happening in the fashion industry as more department stores close their doors and give way to online shoppers. The boutique will once again thrive as we deliver customized service clients need. As the industry changes, we will be looking to expand the LaMar brand, launch exclusive designs and continue to contribute at key industry events such as Fashion Week Barranquilla, Colombia, Art Basel Miami and Fashion Week New York.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5701 Sunset Drive
Sunset Place
Inside MAG Fashion Lounge - Website: Under Construction
- Phone: 3054968560
- Email: lamarbylauramartinez@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lamarbyme.lauramartinez @lau_barrios29
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