Sofia Silva shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sofia, 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: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes, we opened our very own brick and mortar!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Sofia I’m the owner of Weld & Wear! We specialize in custom micro portrait photo engraving and permanent jewelry. We’re the first permanent jewelry company to offer photo engravings for permanent wear and are working on our wholesale website for 2026. We really wanted to add an extra special touch to customizing your one of a kind jewelry with sentimental value in mind. We hope you’ll check out our shop especially with the Holidays coming up!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Honestly, I was a scared kid. I had no idea what I wanted to “be” when I grew up. Everyone around me seemed like they knew what they wanted but all I knew was that I wanted to start my business, I just had no idea what business that would be. I was a horrible student and I never finished college. In fact, I had to pay for my own college so I chose to spend that money on my business instead. I knew it had to work. Even when business was slow, I worked harder than ever. Less than one year from starting my mobile business I opened my storefront. Now, we’re looking to expand further by franchising. Do I still get scared sometimes? Of course. But looking back from where I came from it’s a whole different ball game. Now I know exactly what I’m getting into, and that doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy. Actually, it means the opposite. Betting on yourself is always hard, but you can’t get rewarded without taking risks.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think that “suffering” or struggling can be a tool at times. I know when my back was up against the wall, I worked even harder. Some of my best ideas have come from my worst times. When you’re an entrepreneur you have no idea when your next “paycheck” will be. You can’t guarantee how much you’ll make that day, week, month, or year. It’s crucial to stay humble, to know where you came from, to remember those times you were struggling and how you managed to rise above. Success could never teach you that. I don’t believe in “success,” I believe in always bettering yourself and your brand. I’m always asking myself, how can I be better? How can I become everything I dreamed of and more? Never stay stagnant even if you’re “successful” because nothing in this life is guaranteed.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d like to say that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m a very “what you see is what you get” type of person. But, I don’t think anyone could really know the “real me” because I don’t show every struggle, battle, or even winning situation. It’s impossible to really know someone I think, although I wish people could know better! So maybe I’ll tell you guys some fun facts about me. I love animals and I’ve fostered over 100 dogs and cats. My favorite band is Pierce the Veil. I love art, music, and jewelry (of course).
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
The biggest regret I have is not starting my business sooner. I think about it all the time. Where would I be if I had? Do I have to work twice as hard to get to where I want to be now? How can I better myself and my brand? The thought eats at me. If there’s one thing you take away from my interview I hope it’s that you’ll take that leap even if you’re scared, because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one will. Only you can make it all happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weldandwear.co
- Instagram: @weldandwear
- Facebook: Weld & Wear LLC — Permanent Jewelry
- Yelp: Weld & Wear LLC
Image Credits
Anthony Diaz @shot.bydiaz
Gianna Soko @sokomediagroup
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