By: Priscilla Lara Haro / Special for Real America News Published Sep 22, 2023, 5:35 am EDT
Ciselé, chiseled in French, is a brand of leather products handmade by Jalisco artisans and created by Verónica Quezada.
The young woman, daughter of immigrant parents, said that when she was young she traveled a lot to visit her relatives in Mexico and bags had always caught her attention, but it was not until 2018, when she was visiting Jalisco, that she bought her first handmade leather bag. and his life changed.
According to Quezada, upon returning from his trip, he received too many compliments for his novel purchase, he even remembers that many people asked him where he had gotten it.
“I didn’t intend to start this business. I simply admired this type of art and the work of the artisans,” explained the businesswoman.
He added that what surprised him most was that the interest in the stock market did not come only from Latin people, but also from people from other cultures. With that information in mind, Quezada was inspired to overcome cultural barriers and created Ciselé to present and appreciate the work of artisans from their parents’ native country.
At first, Quezada said that she received orders for bags when she traveled to Mexico from her children’s teachers and her friends, but when she began to receive more orders with requests for more specific designs, she decided to partner with artisans from Jalisco to be able to bring California more bags and sell them in your community.
“The work of the artisans was appreciated by many people. At first I sold to my acquaintances and received orders by telephone, it was my clients who carried out this business,” Quezada acknowledged.
Knowing the success of the bags, the young Mexican began promoting her Ciselé brand at community events, in shopping centers and at farmers markets.
Although the businesswoman considers that her business is still small, she says that she has had the opportunity to work on several events outside of West Covina, where she resides.
In particular, Quezada said she felt proud after being invited to an event by the American motorcycle products manufacturer, Harley-Davidson, in the city of Ventura.
“Harley-Davidson is not your typical Mexican artisan bag customer, but it was an honor for me to be able to promote Mexican art at this event,” said the businesswoman.
In addition to attending important events, Quezada said Ciselé has led her to be able to work with influential people like Spanish leather bag designer Carolina Crowley.
But what excites this entrepreneur most about her work is being able to help artisans so that their businesses grow and are recognized internationally.
“I have a responsibility to showcase the work of artisans and provide a market for people to appreciate their art. It is something that inspires me and makes me feel like I am doing the right thing,” she explained.
The businesswoman added that Ciselé’s venture would not have been possible without the support of her husband and children, since her partner accompanies her to all events and helps her resolve inventory orders and shipping logistics.
“The work is done as a team,” Quezada confessed. “I wouldn’t have done it without the support of my husband. It’s a family job. “We all contribute to the creative and design part, we choose the shape, size and color of our products, but we work with four artisans who chisel the bags.”
Quezada added that, in April, he decided to quit his full-time job at a water conversion company to dedicate himself completely to Ciselé and although he remembers that the decision was not easy, after almost three years of thinking about it, he chose to dedicate himself to his business. that he is so passionate about.
“I believe in our work. “I have the support of my family and the artisans to be able to expand our business,” said Quezada.
Big challenges
Quezada explained that not everything has been happiness and that they have had difficult moments, since on some occasions they have found it necessary to alter their products to please their customers and since the artisans reside in Jalisco, the businesswoman said that she has learned to repair hardware damage, sew and dye the leather of the bags.
Although it has not been easy, Quezada confessed that she is very grateful to her clients for the good reception of the artisan bags.
“I owe it all to our customers and the love they have given our products. “I feel very happy to be able to promote Mexican art and be able to exhibit it in places that I would never have imagined.”