We’re looking forward to introducing you to Olga Garza Cardona. Check out our conversation below.
Olga, 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 do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about my business is that it’s just about selling pretty things. SAartista Designs is really about stories, traditions, and connections. Every textile, piece of jewelry, or handmade work carries generations of culture and meaning. It’s not mass-produced—it’s art created by human hands, with history woven into it. My role is to honor those stories while also bringing in my own creations, so that people feel they’re not just buying something decorative, but taking home a piece of culture and heart.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Olga Garza Cardona, and I am the founder of SAartista Designs. As a native San Antonian, my life and work are deeply rooted in the beauty of cultural memory and artistic tradition. My journey began in the late 1980’s, when I first expressed myself through painting and drawing Día de los Muertos scenes on clay and art paper.
I was raised by my Mexican American parents and had the privilege of living with my abuelita, who spoke only Spanish and carried within her the stories, language, and rhythms of our heritage. My mother, too, instilled in us the importance of culture. Reminding us always to honor the places and people from which our family’s roots originated.
It is from this tapestry of childhood memories, family influence, and cultural pride that my passion for art blossomed. SAartista Designs is not only a reflection of my creativity, but also a way to share, preserve, and celebrate the richness of Mexican tradition with others.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I had with my Aunt Maria, my mother’s sister. She was the first to make me believe higher education was possible. I watched her work full-time at a downtown bank, take the bus to university, and still graduate magna cum laude. Later, she became a University Admissions Director—proof of what resilience and determination can achieve.
She didn’t just encourage m and my siblings to dream. She showed us how to pursue those dreams with courage. Because of her, higher education felt attainable, even transformative. Her belief in me shaped my confidence, persistence, and vision of what my life could be. I carry her encouragement as both compass and light, forever grateful for the path she helped open.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was the fear of not being good enough. When I was younger, I often doubted myself, my abilities, my worth, and whether I belonged in certain spaces. Looking back, I realize it wasn’t just about self-worth; it was also about the fear of the unknown and not being able to control what lay ahead.
Over time, life has shown me that uncertainty is not an enemy. It’s an invitation. I’ve learned to measure “good enough” by my own standards, not anyone else’s. That shift has been liberating, and now I focus less on proving myself to others and more on growing into the best version of me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is the belief that my spiritual faith and my family come before anything else. My faith grounds me, it guides my decisions, helps me stay centered in difficult times, and reminds me of what truly matters. My family is my foundation, the place where love, support, and shared traditions keep us connected across generations.
Everything else in life, work, accomplishments, even personal goals, feels more meaningful when it is in harmony with my faith and my family. Protecting these values means making choices that honor them, no matter the circumstances.
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 the story people tell when I’m gone begins with my compassion, how I cared for people, listened deeply, and truly saw them. I want my family to remember me as someone whose love was loyal and unconditional.
I also hope they speak of my artistic spirit. How I found beauty in unexpected places and shared it with the world. Maybe they’ll remember how I encouraged younger artists, always ready with an idea, a technique, or a resource to help them grow.
And, if I’m lucky, they’ll smile at my wit, my easy charm, and the little touches of style I carried into everything I did. For me, living well means leaving behind a trail of kindness, creativity, and joy, threads woven together so that others can feel both inspired and loved.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sa_artista_olga?igsh=OWJqdjZyaXRrc2Y3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAartistadesigns?
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