We had the good fortune of connecting with Margarita Sotomayor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margarita, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The decisions that have impacted my life in a significant way and have given me satisfaction and have made me grow and learn, have been based on taking risks. Decisions that I made with doubt and fear of what can go wrong but with all the hope and faith of what can go right. When I decided to apply and go to study in Spain, at that time, I didn’t have all the money to fully cover the tuition, much less housing, I did everything in my power, 2 jobs, freelance works, saved all earned, I sent hundreds of letters asking for support, When I told my dad that I was leaving, he asked me: how did I plan to do it? but the illusion and my goal focused on having an opportunity to pursue my dreams made it possible. Yes, I was scared, that experience changed the course of my life for the better and I learned about myself, I discovered things that I can do that I didn’t think I could do, I realized that I could be independent, it gave me more confidence in myself in addition to everything that I learned and lived and the people and friends, the best decisions in life. I thought if others can, why not me? This thought of seeing that others can achieve these goals drives me to tell myself I can too. 

Took the decision to move to the United States in the middle of the recession 2009, and try an opportunity that I got, for someone, it sounded crazy but that decision has made it possible for my now husband and me to have and undertake and now We are a family. That decision more than 20 years ago to study abroad, is the beginning of a sequence of events of why I got here. My thought is: If you are afraid to risk, do it with fear but do it! the risk you run is to achieve the objective.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a Fair-trade Business Project,  This project is about tradition and art, respect for the cultures. We are maintaining the original technics and symbols of their own culture and cosmovision. with respect to the art that these people create. My vision is to offer an opportunity for these ladies and men to open the market of their products with respect to their job, a correct value to their art, helping to transport their product out of their communities and putting close to the people around the world. I have been working with the same group of ladies since the beginning, 5 years ago, so we have been creating a close relationship with respect and confidence between us. We can produce custom orders for clients, every single piece is unique and has a story, symbols, and meaning of these original cultures.

I think this is something that made unique this business because this is so personal and respectful about the culture, tradition, work, and art that these ladies and men produce. Now, I am trying to expand and embrace more groups to the project. It hasn’t been easy, required, time, knowledge of the culture, and capital for investment. As a business, We have been growing slowly, but we keep going. Sometimes, yes, I feel frustrated with the sales and growth of the business, and revenue that is not what I was expected. I wish we could produce more new products, sometimes things don’t go I was expected and lose money.
I am a mother of a child with an autism diagnosis, I need to have the balance on time for my son and home, create, and business and sometimes I have my doubts if this is what I should do, but the stories of the ladies, the love they put on each piece, the textures, colors, patterns, how the work have been positively impacted on their lives, their communities, and how they see hope on this project, give me the strength and believe this is right, I can’t quit, this is the reason why I started this, and keep going and overcome.

I discovered my sales personality, ( I thought that I was not a salesperson).
Everybody can impact the lives of others and make the change, we are part of the world, and with every little action, working together, we can do a better world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In the morning I will take him/her to walk in the green belt area near to my house in Scottsdale in the lakes area Margarita, breakfast at home or at “the Butters Pancakes and Coffe” that is in the lakes area, after a little walk, we can’t miss a delicious coffee from “Village Coffe”, at the same market area, that in my personal opinion is the best coffee shop in Scottsdale. We could drive to Tempe and walk in the Rio Salado Beach Park area surrounded by all those beautiful new buildings. My son and I love to take the Valley Metro Light Rail and go walk to Down Town Phoenix. We can drink something and eat there are so many good bars and restaurants. To enjoy to Basketball Sun team game at the Talking Stick arena all my friends who visit me would love to do!. For Dinner the Sushi from Mido Sushi in Chandler, Pancho is the Corean Chef that made delightful sushi, rolls, and more, the quality is really good and prices. The Dim Sum at the Chinese Market in Mesa is another place to eat, so different from what we are used to, they have a great variety of dishes besides the Menu. One place that has to be visited is the Music Museum at North Phoenix, which has an amazing music instruments collection from around the world and from time. I like to take my friends that came to do a haking, near to home it is Mc Dowell Sonora Preservation trail to enjoy the desert landscape and view. The Taliesin West the Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’ winter house is another most to visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my Father who believed in me and my project, the love of Toñita, and my Mother, to my Son Erik to challenge me in the most unexpected and loved way to be the best version of me. And all the women, men, and children from the original Cultures in Mexico who inspired me to create and dream on my project.

Website: www.artedemitierran.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artedemitierra/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/artedmitierramx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtedemiTierramx/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/arte-de-mi-tierra-scottsdale

Other: pinterest business https://www.pinterest.com/Artedmitierra/ Pinterest personal @mago2707

Image Credits
Margarita Sotomayor, Adrian Lagos

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