“My product is loved,” Claudia says confidently. From initially making only handmade bags in Mexican communities, she has added jewelry, earrings, rings, and other products made in Colombia.
Luis Emilio Botero passed away just under four years ago.
“Claudia Botero’s father has been in her thoughts all the time. For Claudia, a former journalist at Univision and now an entrepreneur through her business CB Designs, his advice is very important.”
She remembers Luis Emilio’s words: “When you start, you must continue the struggle, fight until you achieve it, but never give up,” says Claudia to Parriva.
A little over a year ago, we interviewed Claudia. She was preparing to solidify her business, and the image of a hummingbird that landed beside her kept coming to mind, thinking it was a message from her father and the symbol she sought to guide her decision in her entrepreneurial venture.
“Now hummingbirds come all the time. I could be thinking what he said to me, ‘eres una berraquita’ (you’re a real fighter),” Claudia Botero concludes, sharing what her father used to say to her.
Now, after some time, Claudia continues to fight, diversifying her products, understanding her market better, and building partnerships that are taking her down a good path.
She remembers Luis Emilio’s words: “When you start, you must continue the struggle, fight until you achieve it, but never give up,” says Claudia to Parriva.
“There are always challenges and good and bad moments. Money is a fundamental issue; sometimes we don’t sell enough, and I can get lost in thought. But I’ve learned that everything passes. The following week, I might have great sales,” adds this entrepreneur.
Claudia has discovered a whole community of women entrepreneurs across Los Angeles and Orange County. She knows that 2024 was a year of learning and knowledge. Now, Market for Makers, a community of women entrepreneurs, has helped her understand the effort behind running a business.
“Women start more businesses than men. It’s important for me to attend these markets because I have direct contact with my customers. I get their feedback; we are face to face. You need to know what people want,” she says.
For her, the Latina woman comes from a history and tradition, her attachment to taking care of the family, and the flexibility she has to care for her children while also performing other tasks.
“My product is loved,” Claudia says confidently. From initially making only handmade bags in Mexican communities, she has added jewelry, earrings, rings, and other products made in Colombia. “I feel more excited, more confident, eager to perfect my business. I feel I am growing physically and emotionally.”
“My product is loved,” Claudia says confidently.
Her learning is not just limited to practical work. Over the past year, she has dedicated much of her time to reading about successful businesswomen who started just like her.
“I highly recommend this. Sometimes we look at successful women’s cases and think they got there without climbing a difficult path. However, they all did the same thing: start from the bottom,” she says with conviction.
On this journey, many questions arise for this entrepreneur. “What can I do with my website, how can I improve it, how do I present my social media,” she says, and also, one thing she wasn’t doing: “I have to tell my story, let people know who I am. I am the face of my business, and they need to know my struggle.”
Claudia emigrated to California with her parents under very difficult economic conditions. Her father managed to support the family, first by washing dishes, then as a carpenter, and later with a small booth at the flea market, where little Claudia would accompany Luis Emilio early in the morning to grab a good spot.
Claudia, like her family, is ready to fight. Those early years in California shaped her, and later, she became one of the best journalists at Univision.
“All my products have a story, a meaning. They are made from sustainable materials, handmade, and that sets me apart. For example, the other day at an event, a lady liked some earrings with little angels. I told her that the artisan who made them told me they represented all the loved ones who are no longer with us. That story moved her,” says Claudia.
Claudia knows that these are tough times, but for her, it’s when you need to push even harder and not give up on your goals.
“We all want things quickly, but they take time. We shouldn’t give up. There’s a lot of fear and concern. Honestly, we can’t be filled with fear, or we’ll paralyze ourselves. There’s never a perfect moment. Solidarity and working together are vital for progress,” she concludes.
ADVICE
*If you have an idea, a project in mind… do it. Don’t be afraid of what others will say.
*Don’t listen to negative comments.
*Feel the project with your heart.
*Join the community of entrepreneurs.
*Knock on doors.
*A NO is okay.
*Believe, believe, believe.
*Reinvest your earnings.
Claudia Botero: “They’ll eat you alive.” And she said, “We’ll see.”
