Daily Inspiration: Meet Maritza Gutierrez Ramos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maritza Gutierrez Ramos.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a DACA recipient and Dreamer. Shortly after being born in Jalisco, Mexico my parents and I immigrated to the United States. My dad decided the San Fernando Valley would be the place where he and my mom would raise a family. My first job was at the San Fernando swap meet selling Mexican candy with my best friend Lizbeth. We were only 14 years old, we were small girls with big dreams. Itzalifestyle began the summer of 2018 after graduating from UC Santa Cruz. My love for tacos and working out inspired me to create Itzalifestyle’s first t-shirt, “No Vatos, Just Gym & Tacos”.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business has and continues to be a learning process for me. Not everything comes out how you expect it but you work with what you have and work on improving. There are a lot of hours, work & challenges that happen behind the scenes that people don’t see. When I’m not working as a full-time Case Manager with at-risk youth in Pacoima, I’m working on my business. Itzalifestyle is a one woman show, I handle it all.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
2019 was a year of growth for Itzalifestyle. We had our very first pop-ups with other small businesses in the valley. It was fun networking and creating more t-shirts! One of them was the “No Excusas, Solo Pupusas” t-shirt, a t-shirt inspired by Esmeralda, a Salvadoran woman who sells Pupusas with her daughter in the corner from where I work as a Case Manager. I enjoy supporting my community and their hustle by sharing street vendors on my social media platforms. My community, my culture and my experiences as an undocumented immigrant and DREAMER inspire my work for Itzalifestyle. The t-shirts, mugs, earrings, beanies and hoodies all represent a part of my lifestyle. That’s what makes me most proud of my business.

Building a brand that represents something bigger than myself that others can relate to. Itzalifestyle grew in a different way 2020. Due to Covid, there were no more pop-ups and sales weren’t as high at first but I believe the pandemic allowed us business owners to reinvent ourselves. I introduced Itzalifestyle activewear and it was a success! I had many orders come in from different states. Itzalifestyle may be small but knowing it has supporters from all over the country makes me happy! This year, 2021, I will have another full-time job, being a MAMA. Itzalifestyle will no longer be a one woman show. I’ll have a little baby-girl dreamer motivating me to keep growing. I have new ideas and look forward to doing pop-ups in different states!

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
When you support a small business know that it means a lot! You’re supporting someone’s dream. Itzalifestyle thanks you for all the love and support & encourages you to shop small and dream big.

Contact Info:

• Email: itzalifestylee@gmail.com
• Website: itzalifestyle.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__itzalifestyle/