We’re looking forward to introducing you to Catalina Téllez. Check out our conversation below.
Catalina, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time whenever I’m in nature or in motion — walking by the ocean, watching a sunset, or simply being outdoors where everything feels calmer and clearer. Nature brings me back to myself. It teaches me rhythm, patience, and the beauty of letting things unfold at their own pace. It’s my reset and the place where everything makes sense again.
Catalina Straps was born from that same energy — wanting to move through the world with ease, intention, and quiet beauty. I’m inspired by the hands behind each piece and by my vision as a founder: creating designs that feel functional, light, and deeply meaningful to wear.
That sense of simplicity and intention I feel in nature also shapes how I think about luxury — not as something loud, but as something timeless, thoughtful, and crafted with care for people and the Earth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Catalina, a Colombian-born creative who has always been drawn to movement, travel, and the small rituals that bring clarity to everyday life. Living between different cities and cultures shaped how I see the world — it taught me to value simplicity, balance, and designing a life that feels both intentional and practical.
Catalina Straps grew from my own lifestyle. I was constantly on the move and needed a simple, functional way to carry the things I rely on every day — my phone on walks, my yoga mat to class, my water bottle on hikes, and my camera when I traveled. What started as a personal solution has become a brand for people who appreciate thoughtful design and want pieces that make their routines easier, lighter, and more enjoyable.
Our pieces are handmade in collaboration with Wayuu artisans and skilled leather makers. Their craftsmanship, paired with a modern design approach, is what makes Catalina Straps feel both purposeful and timeless. The brand reflects the values I care about: functionality, quality, and beauty that integrate naturally into everyday life.
Today, I’m growing Catalina Straps through collections and collaborations with brands that appreciate intentional design, thoughtful exclusivity, and pieces with a story — creating accessories that elevate everyday life with purpose and ease.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was intuitive, curious, and naturally driven. I’ve always had a strong sense of direction — not because I knew the path, but because I trusted my instincts and my ability to figure things out as I went. I gravitated toward what resonated, long before I could explain it.
I grew up with a steady confidence — the kind that comes from learning through experience, adapting quickly, and relying on myself. I was curious, open to trying new things, and never afraid to begin again when something called for growth. That independence shaped who I am today.
Life eventually adds expectations — who you should be, what stability should look like, and how to fit into ideas that aren’t always yours. But at my core, I’m still that curious, self-led girl who sees possibility where others see limits, and who isn’t afraid to choose a different direction when something no longer aligns.
That’s the energy that guides me now as a woman and a founder — trusting my instincts, creating with intention, and building a life and a brand that reflect who I am, not who I was told to be.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was losing my mom when I was nine. At an age when most children feel held and guided, I had to grow up quickly. That loss shaped me long before I understood how — it made me independent, resilient, and deeply aware of how precious connection truly is.
For a long time, I carried the pain on my own. I learned to be strong because life required it, and that strength shaped how I moved through the world. As I grew older, I realized healing didn’t come from acting like everything was fine or from pretending I had to be strong all the time — it began when I allowed myself to feel what that strength had been covering, to reflect, and to understand how that loss shaped the way I love, trust, and protect myself.
Healing has been the process of turning that early wound into clarity and wisdom. It taught me empathy, compassion, and emotional depth. It gave me the courage to choose my own path, reinvent myself, and build a life with intention.
Losing my mom gave me an inner strength that is steady and unshakeable. It taught me that I can start over, that I can hold myself, and that I can create a life that honors both my softness and my strength. In many ways, everything I build today — personally and creatively — comes from that place of resilience.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One foundational truth in my life is that I can always begin again. No matter what ends or changes, I trust my ability to rebuild, reinvent myself, and choose a direction that aligns with who I’m becoming. That belief has carried me through every transition — moving countries, starting over, building a brand from zero, and choosing myself again and again.
Another truth is self-respect. It’s the anchor behind my decisions — the reminder to protect my peace, uphold my standards, and choose relationships and environments that support who I am. It keeps me accountable for the life I’m building and the energy I invite in.
And perhaps the most profound truth is that everything starts from within. Confidence, direction, and strength don’t depend on circumstances — they come from awareness, alignment, and trusting my own inner voice rather than looking outward for validation.
These truths shape how I live, work, and move through the world. They’re subtle, but they guide me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when my life feels clear and uncluttered — when my mind is quiet, my body grounded, and I’m fully present. Peace lives in the simple routines: moving my body, staying hydrated, being in nature, drinking my morning coffee slowly, or taking a walk without rushing — the small rituals that bring me back to myself.
Peace, for me, is alignment — trusting my choices, trusting my timing, and trusting the path I’m creating. Because the truth is simple: when I’m aligned, nothing feels forced — everything falls into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catalinastraps.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalinastraps/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-tellez/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086491257851¬if_id=1763457652028747¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@catalinastraps
Image Credits
@phsebastiancancino
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