By Reynaldo Mena
There are some memories from Gabriela Estrada’s past that cannot be erased from her mind. During her childhood and early adolescence, she was happy. She ran through the streets of her town, San Francisco del Rincón, in Guanajuato, Mexico. She played with her friends, worked, and went to school. Life was simple, and she was content. Gabriela Estrada’s father worked, and her mother took care of their ten children.
“I wasn’t very social; my brothers and sisters were enough for me,” says the founder and owner of MegaviHats.
It was her small world, and she didn’t dream of doing more in life or emigrating to California. However, destiny had different plans for her, which unfolded day by day.
“I had fights with my siblings; it was natural. We argued about anything, about cleaning the house, about helping our mom. We had to watch out for our mom when she got angry – beware! She would hit us with her huaraches, the belt, the hose, anything within reach. She even sent us to get them; it was something normal in the town,” Gabriela Estrada says with a laugh.
It was a large and close-knit family, so they had to organize themselves.
“My mom was very clever. She sent half of the children to the morning school and the others to the afternoon school. That way, she had help all day,” she adds.
This awakening was what stayed vivid in her mind. There were no major problems; they had their basic issues resolved and a harmonious family life.
“They were wonderful years. As I grew older, I would go with my friends to the plaza, walk around, meet young people. The world was opening up in my life. I had no further expectations; people in the town didn’t dream of traveling, studying, or going elsewhere.”
From a very young age, Gabriela Estrada began her work journey. At the age of ten, she would assist at a hat and shoe store, dedicating just an hour of her time. She found immense joy in visiting the store, where she could observe skilled artisans crafting and shaping hats. San Francisco del Rincón holds a distinguished reputation as the capital of the Mexican hat, adding further significance to Gabriela Estrada’s early exposure to the artistry and craftsmanship in her hometown.
After finishing primary school, she got her first formal job at the age of 12. She would start work at 6 in the morning and finish in the afternoon, but that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for playing the rest of the day.
Everything changed when Gabriela Estrada turned 14. Her father and three sisters had migrated to California. Her father’s business had collapsed; he lost all the trailers he owned, one by one, in accidents.
“One day, they told me I was going with them. I had no idea what it meant. I didn’t know I would lose all those moments of happiness. We reached the border and crossed through a narrow passage with dirty water. The coyotes put some boards for us not to get wet, but being a good person, I let the ladies with their children go first, and the coyote scolded me because they hadn’t paid for that. After crossing, we ran and ran for about half an hour non-stop; we had already crossed, and another vehicle was waiting to reunite us with my father,” she recalls.
It was a tremendous shock. The days of tranquility in her town were gone; she was in another country with a different culture. She missed the women sitting on the streets, working, chatting, watching the children play.
“I cried and cried. I didn’t like it. I had lost my happiness. I wasn’t sociable, so I felt so lonely. My complaints had an effect. After two years, they sent me back to Mexico, but the town I remembered no longer existed. It was different. I didn’t feel like I belonged there or here. I was lost,” she says.
A year later, she returned to California. This time, she crossed in the trunk of a car. The experience was horrible; after an hour in the car, she felt anxious and claustrophobic. She shouted at the coyotes to let her out, but she wasn’t safe. “Some time later, they finally took me out; we were in Corona. They called my dad, and he came to get me. I was back in California again, and this time, it would be to stay. I told myself I wouldn’t do this crossing the border again; I had to stay; I wouldn’t go through this traumatic experience again,” she says.
She started working in a maquiladora, earning 16 cents per piece she sewed, and her sisters also worked there.
This time was not as bad. She worked hard during the week and went out dancing with her sisters on weekends. It was the time of “La Quebradita,” and she loved dancing it. Later, she met her husband at one of those dances and married him at the young age of 20. At 22, she started working in another workshop where they made Louis Vuitton bags and then later worked at Target.
After having three children, she had a huge confession that she needed to tell her husband, which led to a difficult time for her.
“We were doing well. We were financially stable, but something was missing. I didn’t feel complete. Years before, in my hometown, I experienced a sense of attraction towards women, yet I remained uncertain about my feelings. I had always been a girl who played with dolls, not with cars. I entered into marriage with uncertainty, hoping that the experience would dispel any doubts. But it wasn’t like that. Being with a man wasn’t for me. I decided to tell my husband. As I expected, he didn’t take it well, and we separated. That day, I left the house without telling anyone,” she says, deeply moved.
Her voice momentarily fades into silence, undoubtedly retracing those days in her thoughts.
“I had to do it; I couldn’t keep lying. My ex-husband is a good man; I had to tell him. Of course, we faced criticism and gossip from people, but I was determined,” she adds.
With her three children, she spent one night in her car; she had no money and was not willing to tell her sisters what had happened.
“I had to figure it out myself; my sisters and I are very proud, and I know they would have helped me, but just as I decided to tell my ex-husband, I had to solve it myself,” Gabrieal Estrada adds.
She spent some days with a friend, where she had to work at night to take care of her children during the day. It was a time when she had to give everything she had, but she didn’t give up. She felt liberated and her family wholeheartedly supported her without any doubts or questions.
Later on, she met her current partner, proposed that they live together, and moved in to her place. Gaby decided to clean houses; it was a job she could do in a short time during the day, earning some money while taking care of her children without needing a babysitter.
On a trip to her hometown, a friend noticed the quality of the hats sold in San Francisco del Rincón. Filled with amazement, she urged Gaby to bring this product to California, aiming to showcase the creations of these talented local artisans to a wider audience.
“I had never viewed the hat as a mere product. To me, the hat symbolizes my people, my culture, and my hometown. Yet, it was precisely that strong connection that inspired me to embark on this business journey. Despite lacking formal education and expertise in commerce, I decided to take the plunge. Fortunately, a friend offered to help by creating a website and managing social media, and that’s how everything began,” Gabriela Estrada explains.
Finally, her first trailer arrived, brimming with merchandise, and she found herself unsure of what steps to take next. Seeking guidance, she visited stores, and they advised her to participate in fairs, which eventually started opening doors for her. However, it was a pivotal moment that provided the impetus for her to take the next significant step in her entrepreneurial journey.
“While walking on the street, offering my hats, we saw Eugenio Derbez. My friend told me to give him a hat, but I thought she was crazy. How could Eugenio, a famous actor, accept one of my hats? I approached him and told him my story and the story of the artisans. He thanked me and said he would do a tag in a post. The next day, I was almost floored. From 400 followers, I suddenly had over 5,000. Eugenio had posted a video of my hats, and that filled me with emotion,” she says.
Gabriela Estrada’s story has been enriched by the accomplishments of her children. All three have achieved success in their academic pursuits. The eldest recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz, while the second child returned from Spain and is preparing to begin college. The youngest, who is currently in high school, actively contributes by working with their father in the construction field.
“I am so thrilled,” she says, laughing. “Finally, I got one who is a hard worker.”
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