The Mirasol Story: A Journey of Culture, Craft, and Passion 🌞

The Beginning: A Coffee Chat in Arandas

The idea for Mirasol Accessories was born over a simple coffee chat in Arandas, Jalisco, in March 2020. Liz was on a sabbatical, recharging her spirit, while Ana was spending time with her parents after her job was affected by the pandemic. Amidst the uncertainty, one thing was clear—we both shared an unyielding passion for our culture and a desire to share the unique tradition of cincelado leatherworking with our friends and family back in the U.S.

Why Entrepreneurship? A Tale of Two Perspectives

For Liz, the entrepreneurial spirit ran deep in her family.

"My mom’s dad, my grandpa, was an entrepreneur. My mom always talked about the different businesses they had growing up. I remember the stories of how my grandpa bought the first TV in their little ranchito back in the '80s and would charge the neighborhood kids a couple of cents to come over and watch TV shows. My mom was inspired by the example my grandpa set and she always encouraged me to start my own business, so I took her advice to heart."

Ana’s journey to entrepreneurship was similarly inspired by the strong women in her family.

"I grew up watching several women in my family run businesses of their own. My Tía Carmela had a small tienda de abarrotes, and my Tía Sabina used her expert sewing skills to create a business, tailoring and making bespoke dresses. They all started their entrepreneurial journeys with nerves but a passion. Their courage to start their businesses, despite their fears, motivated me to try—even if I was scared—because they always told me, ‘If we can do it, so can you!’"

Taking the First Steps: From Jalisco to Guanajuato

With $300 each, we pooled our resources and decided to take the next step. Our journey led us to León, Guanajuato—the leather capital of Mexico—where we embarked on a sourcing trip to the wholesale leather district. This trip, which took place in March 2020, began before dawn. At 5 am, we set out with excitement and determination to find the perfect materials and meet the artisans who would become our partners in this adventure.

In León, we met with leather artisans who had been in the industry for generations. Some of these artisans, who we first met in 2020, are still our partners today, and we’ve developed lasting friendships with them. Their craftsmanship and dedication to their art have been instrumental in shaping the quality and authenticity of Mirasol Accessories.

The Meaning Behind Mirasol

As we brainstormed names for our brand, we were inspired by the idea of always looking for the sunshine, even on a cloudy day—much like finding the silver lining in any situation. The sun has long been a symbol of good energy and good luck in Mexican art, and we wanted our brand to embody that positive spirit. Hence, the name "Mirasol" was born, reminding us and our customers to always "look at the sun."

Our collection of accessories is not just inspired by the vibrant culture of Mexico but also by the "flores y colores" that bring life to every corner of our homeland. We even used Ana’s grandma’s house as a photoshoot location, infusing our brand imagery with the warmth and color of our heritage.

Listening to Our Community: Market Research and First Steps

To ensure that we were creating products that resonated with our community, we conducted a market survey using Google Forms. We asked our amigas about their style preferences and what price points they would find reasonable. We were thrilled to receive over 100 responses! Armed with this valuable feedback, we took our first product pictures all over Arandas, Jalisco, using nothing but our cell phones. Ana’s grandma’s ranchito and the town’s colorful walls served as the perfect backdrops for our initial photoshoots.

Family and Friends: The Backbone of Mirasol

From the very beginning, Mirasol has been a family affair. Ana’s cousin drove us on our first trip to León, and Mariana—Ana’s sister and Liz’s college friend—has been a huge help with content creation and modeling. Our parents have been our biggest cheerleaders, helping us transport merchandise from Mexico, load our cars for pop-up markets, and support us in every way possible. My brother has even jumped in to help film content, and we’ve been lucky to have creative friends develop our logo and business cards (shoutout to Sam!).

Fast Forward 4 Years: Reflecting on Our Journey

It’s been four years since we embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, and while we didn’t know what to expect, we’ve been blessed by the support of our family, friends, and the customers who have become our extended family. We’re excited to continue sharing these little pieces of Mexico with the world.

Ana reflects on the journey: "This has been a great creative outlet. It’s pushed us out of our comfort zone—I never thought we’d be interviewed on a podcast!"

Liz adds: "One of the main lessons I’ve learned is that if you have an idea, just do it. It’s okay not to have a plan or feel like you need to have everything figured out. One of my favorite parts is meeting customers and seeing their live reactions to our purses, as well as making friends with other small business owners."

Looking Ahead: The Future of Mirasol

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our mission of bringing the best of Mexican craftsmanship to women everywhere, with a modern twist that honors the past while embracing the future. We invite you to join us on this journey, to carry a piece of Mirasol with you, and to let the beauty of Mexico shine through in every step you take.

– Lizet Alba & Ana Hernández, Founders

PS: Remember, wherever life takes you—Mirasol (Look at the Sun).