When her daughters were being developing up, Guadalupe Márquez taught them the price of thrifting and acquiring 2nd-hand.
She and daughters Irene Márquez and Frances Márquez-Flores have turned that lesson into a increasing enterprise, MIJA studios, which operates out of the matriarch’s Oxnard home.
Together the way, they adapted and advanced as the industry altered and the pandemic struck. The trio also discovered to engage in to their strengths.
MIJA Studios restores vintage household furniture, household décor and outfits for resale. Mija is derived from the Spanish term “mi hija,” that means my daughter. The business identify emphasizes the owners’ romantic relationship.
Guadalupe Márquez, Irene Márquez and Frances Márquez-Flores search thrift stores, flea marketplaces and estate sales in lookup of classic things that can be mended and refurbished. Most of their goods is at least 30 yrs outdated.
As a retired seamstress who grew up in a family members of carpenters, Guadalupe Márquez can restore garments and household furniture to their previous glory. With her abilities and her daughters’ organization savvy and sense of design, MIJA studios is proving to be a effective business enterprise.
The company, which received its business enterprise license in November, can earn upward of $16,000 a thirty day period and has an inventory of about 3,000 goods.
“One of the very best issues is to hear my mother say, ‘I’ve labored a lifetime, and I under no circumstances manufactured this type of money,’” Márquez-Flores claimed.
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When Márquez-Flores returned to Oxnard from overseas in 2018, she didn’t realize her childhood home. Her mother and sister had redecorated the home and refurbished the old home furnishings.
Márquez-Flores noticed probable in home furnishings that was not employed in the transform and persuaded her mom to refurbish the items. The two painted the products, styled them with previous vases and lamps and put them up for sale on Fb.
They marketed within just two times.
The pair started attending a Ventura flea industry in research of furnishings, reselling items refurbished and styled with vintage vases and other knickknacks from the domestic at their individual booth. When the decorations bought more quickly than the household furniture, they understood they were on to one thing.
In early 2020, Irene Márquez returned house from San Francisco with a several strategies. She recommended the mother-daughter duo get started offering clothes, and they included her to the staff.
“Growing up, searching at thrift stores, secondhand, has under no circumstances been something new or something that embarrassed us,” claimed Irene Márquez.
Pandemic shifts
Then the pandemic hit. The thrift suppliers and markets MIJA studios was obtaining products from shut down. The flea marketplaces and venues exactly where they marketed their wares also shut.
MIJA studios made a decision to up their social media existence to save the organization.
Just about every Sunday for about five months, the group pulled the automobiles out of the driveway to established up a tiny display screen of their objects. The sisters showcased each and every piece on Instagram Stay. Their social media account features 1,244 followers.
MIJA studios obtained a adhering to and was in a position to enhance its income.
For the reason that the general public stayed indoors all through the pandemic, owners and renters began reworking their residing spaces, Irene Márquez said. As a end result, MIJA studios noticed a need for refurbished furniture.
Guadalupe Márquez drove about the neighborhood in lookup of home furniture still left on curbs. Family and good friends, recognizing the family’s probable, also donated home furnishings.
By the close of 2020, MIJA studios was once more advertising items in human being. The enterprise then introduced its internet site before this year, making it possible for them to get to consumers throughout the state.
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Upcoming, the 3 owners program to transfer into a brick-and-mortar storefront. With clientele in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties, they have nevertheless to uncover the correct spot.
Irene Márquez and Márquez-Flores, who the two personal other enterprises, want MIJA studios to broaden and employ the service of staff members so they can choose a hands-off method.
Guadalupe Márquez is just happy to devote time with her daughters.
“(I’m) content to perform with the ladies, cling out with them and also battle with them much more usually,” Guadalupe Márquez mentioned by means of a translator.
Brian J. Varela addresses Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be arrived at at [email protected] or 805-477-8014. You can also come across him on Twitter @BrianVarela805.
