Meet Cindy Tapia And Ernesto Delgado

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Tapia And Ernesto Delgado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cindy Tapia and Ernesto Delgado , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

As Mexican-Americans, we’ve often been the only ones in the room who look like us. In the beginning, it felt intimidating, but we realized we weren’t walking in alone, we were carrying the sacrifices of our parents, the resilience of our community, and the artistry of our Mexican culture. When we started Casa Pétalos with just two folding tables at the Rose Bowl, not everyone saw the value in handmade Mexican design. But we stayed true to our identity and to our artisans’ craft. That difference, the fact that we see beauty through the lens of our culture is what has allowed us to connect with others in an authentic way. Today, our pieces are in homes around the world. We’ve learned that being the only ones in the room isn’t a limitation, it’s an opportunity to open doors, share stories, and show others the value of where we come from.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

We are Cindy and Ernesto, co-founders of Casa Pétalos, a handmade home goods brand rooted in Mexican artistry. Our mission is to highlight the beauty of traditional craftsmanship while reimagining it for modern spaces. Each piece whether carved from stone or hand-finished by artisans in Mexico carries with it a story of heritage and intention.
What excites us most is seeing people connect not only to a piece, but to the culture and artistry behind it. Casa Pétalos is about creating meaningful spaces while honoring the hands and traditions that make each design possible.
As we move into this next season, we’re excited to share our Fall/Winter collection stay tuned as well as future collaborations with other brands and the opportunity to shop our pieces in person at design studios. For us, Casa Pétalos is more than décor; it’s a bridge between tradition and modern living, while supporting the artisans who keep these crafts alive.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Even though we are still far from where we know Casa Pétalos will one day be, looking back on our journey so far, a few qualities have had the most impact: hard work, resilience, and resourcefulness.
Our work ethic was crucial it kept us with our heads down and moving forward even when things didn’t go as planned (which was about 60% of the time). Whenever we failed or stumbled which was often it was resilience that picked us back up. And resourcefulness became another key quality, allowing us to make up for what we lacked, whether it was knowledge, funds, or connections.
For anyone early in their journey, remember: the only way to develop any skill is to engage in activities that require that skill. The best advice we can give is to simply get moving and start doing. People learn by doing. It’s okay if you don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle you’ll find them along the way. And if they don’t exist yet, you’ll learn how to create them.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I strongly believe that going all in on your strengths is by far the best approach. It’s much more powerful to be exceptional at one or two things than to be average at everything. When you commit fully to your strengths, you position yourself to stand out from the crowd something that is invaluable to any brand or business.
If you spread yourself too thin trying to be well-rounded in every area, you risk never excelling in any one of them, which often results in just another average brand. Of course, in the beginning, as a brand owner, you may need to wear many hats. But if you lean into your strengths and partner or collaborate with others who are strong where you are not you will likely surpass what you once thought possible.
These opinions, while perhaps unconventional, are rooted in real experience. Casa Pétalos was founded by two people with completely different strengths, and by working toward the same goal, those strengths multiplied far outweighing the areas where we were only average. And here’s the beauty of it: even while focusing on your own strengths, you’ll naturally improve in other areas simply by working alongside people who are highly skilled in fields where you are less experienced.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopcasapetalos.com
• Instagram: shopcasapetalos