We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sulema Fernandez- Honn. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Sulema, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I believe integrity is the most important of the three. It’s a reflection of who you are at your core your values, your moral compass, and your ability to stand firm even when faced with temptation or pressure. In today’s world, it’s easy to see how people can lose themselves chasing money, fame, or influence. But without integrity, energy and intelligence can become dangerous tools used for the wrong reasons or at the expense of others. As a business owner, I’ve learned that integrity builds trust, and trust is the foundation for meaningful relationships, lasting success, and a positive impact. It’s what keeps you grounded and aligned with what truly matters not just for yourself, but for your team, your customers, and your community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Sulema, the artist and designer behind AMORFIRST, a brand that has truly been a labor of love. AMORFIRST is more than a name; it’s a reflection of who I am and what I stand for. Every piece I create whether it’s jewelry or art is inspired by the beauty, emotion, and energy around me. I aim to design pieces that are unique, uplifting, and filled with meaning something that can spark joy or bring a smile to someone’s face. Right now, I’m working on our upcoming fall and holiday collection. It’s still under wraps, but I can promise it’s something special, and I can’t wait to share it with our amazing clients soon.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is a lack of genuineness. When someone isn’t honest about who they are or doesn’t follow through on their word, trust is lost. That kind of inconsistency especially in business can damage relationships quickly. Credibility is everything. You can spend years building trust, and lose it in seconds.
Restoring that connection isn’t easy. It takes time, consistency, and a true willingness to repair the damage sometimes it can take a lifetime. I believe actions speak louder than words, so if you truly value a relationship, you have to treat it with respect, honesty, and integrity from the start. Relationships whether personal or professional require care and intention if you want to keep them strong..
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success never could. Growing up in a big family with limited resources showed me the true meaning of gratitude. It taught me to appreciate every blessing, no matter how small. Family was our anchor we leaned on each other for strength, and that connection helped carry us through even the darkest times.
I witnessed resilience firsthand. When my father became seriously ill, I saw my mother give everything she had caring for him while raising us and making sure we had food on the table. Watching my parents push through those struggles showed me what faith, hope, and unconditional love look like.
Their example taught me to never give up, to show up even when life feels impossible, and to keep dreaming no matter the odds. Life will knock you down but it’s in those moments of struggle where you discover your strength. The journey isn’t easy, but it shapes you into someone who can rise again and again.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Without a doubt, the person I admire most for their character not their power is my older sister. She is the very definition of resilience. As the eldest in our family, she carried so many responsibilities from a young age, often aware of things most children shouldn’t have to understand. She helped our parents in countless ways and quietly held much of the emotional weight during difficult times.
To me, she has always been brilliant an old soul with deep intelligence and curiosity. She taught herself to play the piano, became trilingual, and was the first in our family to go to college. Life has thrown many obstacles her way, and though they may have shifted her path, she never lost her grace, kindness, or strength.
She’s the kind of person who sees the best in others, even those who’ve wronged her. She’s never judgmental, always compassionate. She cared for our mother, who became a paraplegic, and for our father during his final years with love, dignity, and selflessness.
She deserves the world. I admire her not just for what she’s done, but for who she continues to be every single day.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
What I regret most is not spending more time with my parents. Life moves fast between work, raising your own family, and handling everyday responsibilities, it’s easy to forget that our parents won’t be here forever.
Now that I’m older and a mother myself, I feel that shift my kids are growing up, needing me less, choosing time with their friends over time with me. And it hits me: my parents must have felt the same way when we grew up and got busy with our own lives.
Of course, providing for your family is important, but sometimes I wish I had taken just one more day… one more hour… just a little more time to be present with them. The cycle of life can be cruel in that way.
If you still have time use it. Don’t wait until it’s too late to show up, to visit, to listen, or to simply sit with those you love. That’s something you’ll never regret.
Don’t let the stone carry the weight of your love give it now, in the form of time, while the heart still beats and the hands still reach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AMORFIRST.com
- Instagram: @amor_first, @amorfirstgalleria
- Linkedin: Sulema Fernandez – Honn
- Facebook: AMORFIRST
- Other: Pinterest-AmorFirst
Image Credits
LJH Photo
Makeup- Sulema Fernandez-Honn
