Life & Work with Reyna Vindas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reyna Vindas.

Hi Reyna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I’ve always had a passion for creating. Whether it was through writing music, drawing or singing. I’ve always known that I wanted to have a creative career and at a young age, I knew that I wanted to be my own boss. (lol) I did work at a variety of different places from customer service to patient care and I’ve met so many great people along the way. But at the end of the day, it just felt like I was missing something. Like it wasn’t what I was meant to do. I believe it was during the shutdown that gave me that extra push to take a leap of faith and start something from the ground up. My husband Benny Farillas started a clothing company “Rootz Unchrtd” in 2017 and asked me how I felt about opening a brick and mortar in downtown 6th st. To be honest, I was skeptical, I was afraid we’d fail, I was afraid of not having that financial security that my current job provided. In my head I needed to be more practical, I was thinking about the other career options that I knew I wouldn’t absolutely love but would provide security.

Then I found this high school essay that I wrote, about what I wanted to do with my life after graduation. Forgetting that I have even written it, I read how young Reyna wanted her own business and to be creative without anyone above her telling her she couldn’t do anything. That essay helped me make my decision, and I was ready to take the risk. I felt like it was time to start something new and ‘IF’ we failed then at least we tried. We opened the doors to Rootz Unchrtd in April 2021 in downtown San Pedro. There we provide clothing, custom signage and items for other small businesses/custom gifts, and my handmade macrame pieces (Boho Banditz). I work full-time at our shop curating macrame pieces, creating custom orders (signs, keychains, ornaments, leather patches, etc). Fun fact: I made our storefront sign! Along with the shop, I provide a macrame backdrop rental service and customized decor for parties, weddings, photoshoots, etc. The reaction from my clients when they see their vision brought to life is priceless and gives me the feeling that I was meant to do this.

With the short time we’ve been in business, we’ve had so much support from our family, friends, and community. We are actually able to expand our business this year and provide our community with even more customized local products. This new role in my life has given me the opportunity to meet so many other amazing business owners and get to know my community better. I’m thankful we took the leap, and I’m thankful for all the love and support our community has given us.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing worthwhile is ever smooth! We definitely had bumps in the road starting up our business at first. With so many fees that come along owning a business, it was challenging to stay afloat. We were so new to it all we didn’t realize how much goes into having a brick-and-mortar store. But! We live and learn and we’re ready for the next year now!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in seeing a person’s vision and bringing it to existence for them, to sum it all up. I create signs and other custom gifts using our laser machine and some good ol’ power tools. I love all of the products I make for my clients, but the project I feel I am most proud of is my macrame backdrop that I rent out for weddings, parties and events! Maybe because it is my own vision brought to life. It is 8 ft wide and 7 ft tall. With a wooden frame and lots of detail that took me about 2-3 weeks to complete!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you have a vision and the drive to bring it to life, then keep going and don’t stop. I believe that anything can happen as long as you put time, effort, and work into whatever it is you want to achieve. But do keep in mind that some things won’t happen overnight. It may be weeks, months, or even years until you see progression. That’s one thing I had to learn over the years. But bottom line, if you are doing something you love, don’t give up on it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rootzuncharted.com
• Instagram: @bohobanditz, @rootzunchrtd, @therootzys_customz