Meet Adriana Brito

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adriana Brito. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Adriana, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

When I was little, I wasn’t the most extroverted or the most introverted—I’d say I was somewhere in between. Looking back, I realize a lot of that came from the fear of “what will people say” if I did something out of the ordinary. Just the other day, my abuelita mentioned how surprised she is to see me now on social media because I wasn’t like this as a child. To be honest, it’s been a long journey of self-reflection, growth, and truly getting to know myself—what I like, what I don’t, learning to say “no” when something doesn’t feel right, and saying “yes” when I know I deserve it.

A huge part of this process I owe to my psychologist, Mayra Chacon, but also to myself—for giving me the chance to grow, to love who I am, with both my strengths and my flaws. I’ve learned that many people don’t feel worthy of certain things—and I know that because I’ve been there too. That lack of self-worth often holds us back, whether it’s out of fear of judgment or simply not having enough faith in ourselves.

I believe confidence and self-esteem are not something you “achieve once and for all”—they’re a lifelong process. But today, I can say I work on them every single day, and that’s what makes me proud of how far I’ve come.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hello hello!

My name is Adriana Brito, and I’m the founder and designer behind ELLA by Anto. ELLA was born from a love that’s been with me for as long as I can remember—a love for creating, for colors, and for accessories that tell a story. Even as a little girl, I would spend hours making jewelry, and by the time I was 10 years old, I was already selling my pieces during school recess!

What’s most special to me about having my own brand is being able to share my creativity and a piece of my heart with every design. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people feel confident and joyful wearing our jewelry—and watching how they style it in their own unique way is truly priceless.

Thanks to God, the endless support of my family, my boyfriend—always by my side at every market—, Livy, who pours her heart into our social media, Mafer, who helped me bring ELLA to life, and of course, our amazing clients who believe in my vision. Together, we’ve grown step by step—with love, patience, and a lot of passion.

This September, we’re honored to be part of three incredible events: Pecan Street Festival and Siete Food Festival in Austin, and the Latina Power Conference in Houston.

We’ve also just launched our second summer collection, Calypso—a vibrant celebration of color, rhythm, and Caribbean heritage. It’s inspired by the joyful beats of Calypso music, a genre deeply rooted in the culture of my home country, Venezuela.

Come visit us! Whether in person at the markets or online at www.ellabyanto.com, we’d love to share our world with you!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the most powerful thing in my journey has been allowing myself to dream bigger than what others imagined for me—even when it meant breaking patterns, going against what was “expected,” or making decisions that others thought were crazy.

I once had what I thought was my dream corporate job—steady, “secure,” the kind of job everyone said was ideal. But deep down, I realized it wasn’t for me. So, I quit. I moved cities, left behind what was comfortable, moved out of my parents’ house, and started a business without even knowing if it would work. And honestly? It’s been one of the best decisions of my life.

A while ago, a friend told me she didn’t want to go back to her routine after her vacation. And that stayed with me because… I love my routine, my everyday reality. It’s the life I’ve built and truly treasure. But I know so many people are stuck in jobs they hate, living that same routine day after day.

That’s why I’m so passionate about finding something that excites you, something that makes you look forward to each day—even if it feels scary at first. Take that step—you might end up building a life you never thought was possible.

My advice?
• Don’t settle for a life that
feels heavy or boring. Find something you’re genuinely passionate about, something that makes you excited to wake up.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks or start again from zero. Staying in the same place just because it feels “safe” often keeps you from finding what actually fulfills you.
• And believe in yourself and trust the process. If you don’t bet on you, who will? No one else will fight for your dreams the way you can. Be your biggest fan.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was leave everything behind in Venezuela for a better future for me and my brother. They had jobs, family, and an entire life there, but they made the brave decision to come to the United States, trusting that we would have more opportunities here.

Even today, I am deeply grateful, because I know it wasn’t easy—and it still isn’t. Their sacrifice constantly inspires me to work hard, pursue my dreams, and one day give back everything they’ve given me—to ease their worries and show them how much their love and courage have meant.

If I’m honest, they haven’t always agreed with the choices I’ve made—and I understand that, because all they’ve ever wanted is the best for me. But I hope my journey shows them that following my heart has been worth it, and that trusting myself can lead to something meaningful.

And even though we may have our differences at times, their unconditional love and belief in me and my dreams keep me going. It’s a constant reminder that courage and love are bigger than fear or comfort.

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