Today we’d like to introduce you to Shomara Garcia.
Shomara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a little girl, I was always told who I was and who I wasn’t based on the color of my: skin, hair texture, and the language I spoke. Not being accepted for who I was and constantly reminded of who I wasn’t based on society’s standards, I became frustrated by the consistent ignorance and lack of knowledge of Blatinas (even till this day).
I decided my experiences had a bigger purpose and my purpose is to help bring light to an intense movement of uniqueness and originality of Blatinas/ Afro-Latinas everywhere.
I am dedicated to educating and empowering everyone all around the world. I am here along with all of you to bring comfort in knowing people of Afro-Latina culture can be inspired and motivated to embrace who we are by sharing real stories, advice, and empowerment through apparel.
I am the BLatina with the Good Hair!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road wasn’t smooth. I still come across different challenges. From starting my own business to educating others on who they are. When starting my business my first challenge was money. I did all the research and invested into myself to help develop personally, however I kept myself in the way of just getting started for a while. One day, I just made the jump. I didn’t have a lot of resources, however I just BLatina with the Good Hair out there. I have a lot of skills so I just put them to use and stayed consistent. I kept in mind that anything that comes too fast or too easy won’t last forever.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What is a Blatina? A Blatina is a black Latina. Being a part of BLatina with the Good Hair means you’re establishing a brand and promoting a culture to empower anyone who has trouble with their identity. This business wasn’t founded on the topic of “good hair.” Instead, I’m just another woman in society who is constantly questioned and denied of her identity. My purpose is to help bring light to an intense movement of uniqueness and originality of Blatinas/ Afro-Latinas/ Blacktinas everywhere.
I am dedicated to educating and empowering Blatinas all around the world. I host women events, promote healthy and natural hair, and I design clothes with empowering messages. I am here along with all of you to bring comfort in knowing people of Afro-Latina culture can be inspired and motivated to embrace who we are by sharing real stories, advice, and empowerment through apparel.
What sets my brand apart from others is my apparel and storytelling through social media. When I first started, there wasn’t a brand in my field making clothes with messages relative to our topic. It is now that everyone is designing clothes catering to: immigrants, morenas, afro-Latinas, etc. However, along with my apparel, storytelling is behind what is printed on the clothes. I market the story, the purpose, and bring a face to the messages I put out there and that’s what keeps me apart from the “crowd.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel Miami is a great place for a business like mine. My market is here, they live here and they take a journey to this area to survive, so it is perfect that I am here. I started in Connecticut and moved to the Miami area 5 months ago and by doing so, I realized there were so many opportunities to thrive here. If someone was just starting out, I would recommend they get out and network. You never know who you may meet and who will be a helping hand with taking your business to the next level.
Pricing:
- Bodysuits starting at $20.00
- Sweaters starting at $40.00
- Tshirts starting at $15.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blatinawiththegoodhair.com
- Email: blatinawiththegoodhair@outlook.com
- Instagram: @blatinawiththegoodhair
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/blatinawiththegoodhair
Image Credit:
Sean Allen
Tiara Little
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
