We’re looking forward to introducing you to Erica Gamboa. Check out our conversation below.
Erica, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a normal day for me is pretty full. I work full time during the day, and then spend another 6–8 hours in the evening working on my small business—prepping for markets, making earrings to restock inventory, or creating content. Depending on the day, I’m also supporting my son as a band mom, attending games, pep rallies, or weekend competitions. It’s a busy schedule, but I’m passionate about keeping my business going and helping it grow.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Erica and I am the owner & creator at Wild Encanto. I create art through polymer clay with earrings and other fun clay pieces.
I originally started a small business as a baker, but when the pandemic hit… no one was ordering cakes. I had to find a new creative outlet to keep my mind and hands busy. I ended up buying some clay and tools just to pass the time…and now since then it has been 5 years of growing Wild Encanto!
Doing pop markets and special events, I have found a space & made friends in my community as a small business vendor. I am currently working on celebrating 5 years as a small business, not just for myself but to help showcase my fellow small business friends and their work.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my mother. I didn’t fully realize it until I got older and had children of my own, but she was always my biggest fan and constantly pushed me to reach my full potential. Looking back, I can see how much she tried to show me who I could become, even when I didn’t see it myself. All the small lessons she taught me over the years are things I now find myself using—not just for me, but in how I raise my own children.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have definitely been multiple times when I almost gave up—especially when it felt like all the work I was putting into my website wasn’t paying off, or when being a vendor at markets started to feel like too much effort for too little return. But thankfully, I’ve had a solid circle of support around me—friends and family cheering me on and stepping in to help when I needed it most. I also have loyal customers who’ve been with me since day one, and seeing them come back again and again reminds me that people really do love what I create. That encouragement keeps me going, even on the hard days.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely most on the ideas of my closest friends and my customers. Their feedback and constructive criticism are incredibly valuable to me. I welcome it because it helps me improve my processes and products. Whether it’s a suggestion from a friend or insight from a customer, I always try to listen and make things better than they were before.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will remember that I spent my life doing what I loved, that I was a loyal friend and a good mom. Balancing work, running a small business, being a mom and a wife—it’s a lot, and I know I couldn’t give 100% to everything all the time. But I hope people will see that I always tried my best, that I showed up with love and intention, and that I poured my heart into everything I did.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wild-encanto-01.square.site/
- Instagram: @wild_encanto
- Facebook: Wild Encanto
- Other: TikTok @wild_encanto
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