We were lucky to catch up with Victoria De La O recently and have shared our conversation below.
Victoria, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I want to start off by saying thank y’all so much for this amazing opportunity. It’s safe to say my optimism stems directly from my faith. I’m a devoted Christian woman and was raised in church from a very young age. I learned very early on that earthly problems are temporary and that any problem I’m in won’t last because God has a plan curated specifically for me and it WILL prevail. That plan is better than anything that I think I want.
It took me a while to really be able to let go and absorb that in its entirety but it makes a tremendous difference in my everyday life. What would once bring everything to a screeching halt is now just a minor inconvenience because I know for a fact that there will be a solution whether it’s easy or more time consuming. I’ll get through it one way or another, in God’s name. The same energy that it takes to be upset or negative can be used to power my next idea, activity or endeavor. It brings more value to my life and family to stay positive. Of course I’m still a human and sometimes issues do feel bigger than me and it gets hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel. When that happens, I find myself looking to God to help me see that situation with a cleared set of eyes. It may sound silly to some, but to those that know, you know there’s nothing better than that feeling of calm & clarity.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For those who are meeting me for the first time, hello! My name is Victoria Inez and I’m a born & raised Tejana. I’m 27, engaged to the love of my life, set to wed this fall and have 3 beautiful babies, Liam, Lina and Leia. I own the cutest online beauty boutique, Tejana Originals, based out of Dallas, Texas. I handle everything from product purchasing, order fulfillment, customer relations to social media marketing. Currently we are majority online but do offer in person shopping at pop up events. A few of the products we carry include cosmetics, beauty tools, hair accessories and apparel. I’ve been very busy the past few months and have met a few HUGE milestones! I recently attained my LLC and truly could not be more excited and proud. It’s something I’ve been wanting for my business and I’m very blessed to share that with everyone. I launched my boutique’s first website on our 2nd Anniversary, January 25th, 2024! It was a long process but was worth every second. To my Etsy shoppers, no worries I am still conducting business as usual on Etsy. However, shoppers are now able to find our full product line at TejanaOriginals.com. I don’t want to spill too many beans BUT I am currently in the process of giving Tejana Apparel a new look. I can’t wait to share more info on that this summer.
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?
Firstly, having patience. That would be one of the biggest on the list. Having patience in everything is essential to running smoothly and not burning out. You are the owner. You run the business. It doesn’t run you. Cut the hours back as needed.Don’t rush it if it isn’t ready. If your business is up and running, make sure you’re still taking the extra time to quality control each order as if it’s your dream client. Remember to take your own time to step away and breathe.
Secondly, social media presence. We’re in 2024, it is becoming increasingly important. Many small startups don’t invest in marketing the same way big businesses do. Having a social media page is a free and easy way to show who you are, what you do and what you have, to a potential client. Be consistent in it. Everyday is the first day someone sees your page.
Third, having good customer service is wildly valuable. Being able to communicate with clients has been very beneficial, for me personally. Whether it’s keeping a client updated on order status out of courtesy or maintaining a cool head when someone does come at you aggressively, having clear, peaceful conversations with pure intentions can only benefit you in the end. Don’t forget to take accountability when needed. That is always a trait that is healthy to have in the workplace. It reminds a client you’re still a human and mistakes happen.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back from what it is that’s going on and I go into prayer. I ask God to give me the peace of mind and the knowledge to be able to get through what it is that is feeling like too much in the moment. Sometimes situations feel like they are bigger than us and it becomes overbearing, especially if it’s something that is out of your control. The best strategy, for me, is always going to God. He gives me the peace I need to be able to work through certain things that I otherwise would handle differently. Anyone is free to try this method out. If you do, I hope it works for you too!
Contact Info:
- Website: TejanaOriginals.com
- Instagram: @TejanaOriginals
- Facebook: @TejanaOriginals
- Other: Email us with any questions on products or for future collaborations! [email protected]
Image Credits
Tejana Originals
