May 1, 2017

Meet Jannette Sanchez of Trece Cielos Mugs in Pasadena

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jannette Sanchez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
We are coffeeholics and we love collecting mugs from all our adventures, road trips and places we love. Suddenly I started printing my own illustrations, personal statements and funny jokes and giving them out to friends, everyone loved them; I guess that was the trigger point that pushed me to open a small shop where people could purchase them. Our first gift mug was a drunken cat celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. From there everything has happened so fast!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Right now, everything is on the process of making the switch from a fantasy dream to a steady business, one of the constant struggles I find is to maintain brand relevance, I guess you just have to keep enjoying what you do, not focusing on the money and staying true to yourself.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Trece Cielos Mugs story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a graphic designer born and raised in Mexico City, I came to Los Angeles in my late 20’s and I feel so fortunate to have experienced two different cities and cultures so close one from another but so divergent, each one with their own particularities, characters and visions on pop culture, global trends and politics. In Trece Cielos, I try to portray this kind of stuff, most of my ideas come from this Mexican sense of humor, if you visit the city you’ll notice people is not only peculiar and sarcastic, but friendly and kind. A mix of politics, kitsch and surreal stuff is what I like to print on my mugs.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I was working as a freelance designer when I decided to be a mom, I guess I started thinking on ways I could make some extra cash but at the same time having the time to take care of my baby. Fortunately, with Trece Cielos I have had that privilege. Everything has been manageable and I am truly grateful for this. I want to say thank you to my husband, my family and the friends that supported me at the beginning. I encourage other people to take the risk and follow your dream business, is never easy but is so worth it.

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