Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Bonilla.
Hi Jose, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in El Salvador. I came to the United States on April 21, 2021, at the age of 18. I consider 2021 as the year that I hit rock bottom. The reason I decided to immigrate to the United States was to meet my mother again after 12 years and the dream of becoming someone successful. In my head, I idealized what it would be like to come here, but that fell apart when facing the reality of change. I came to know the meaning of the word “Loneliness” not because I didn’t have support but because a large part of me didn’t get on that plane with me, that part that I struggled to overcome with months of depression. I discovered what it is to be afraid of your mind, days when I wanted to wake up and be in El Salvador, days when I waited for morning to come and hear my nephew knocking on the door for me to wake up and play with him, and days when I wanted to end my life. I experienced what it feels like to be discriminated against because of your color and nationality. I felt lost and afraid of not knowing how to talk about what I was going through.
However, I believe that God communicates with us through people, and for some reason, always in conversations with my mother, she managed to cheer me up and help me concentrate on other activities. In a conversation, she told me that I had to find a way to move on and get out of the situation I was in. That’s how the idea of creating a clothing brand and expressing how I felt through designs was born. I remember that in the search for names, my mother was the one who gave me the idea of calling it “United Culture” and I decided to use that name since many situations were making sense; I understood that I was not the first immigrant or the last to have to cross these barriers in search of a better life. There are thousands of people out there who have experienced these situations; this is one of the reasons why through United Culture, I have the purpose to create a community of dreamers in which there is no discrimination and, as its name says, promote unity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a long process. I had lived in the United States for nine months when I started this journey. I had no idea how the market I was getting into work. I did not know how to design and much less knew about business. It was hard to get off the ground, but I thank God for putting the right people on my path. Along the way, I met people who believed in the brand’s mission and supported me. The effort and work have not only been mine, and I would not be here without God, my family, my friends, and the people who believed in me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
United Culture is a streetwear clothing brand based in Los Angeles, California. Our purpose is to create a united community that represents Strength, longing, and understanding. A community of dreamers willing to go after their goals, a community willing to look out for others and willing to break down any barrier because we are more We are United Culture.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
United Culture saved me. It gave me a purpose to continue, it has not been easy, and there have been many moments in which I have wanted to quit, but every time I ask myself the same question, how do I let die something that gave me a reason to continue? This is why United Culture is not just a brand for me; it is a feeling, a part of me. I never felt comfortable talking about this because I didn’t want to cause pity. I decided to tell it to motivate those reading this article; if I could get ahead, you can too. Whatever goal, dream, or crazy idea you have, bet on it. It’s better to try than regret it and wonder what could have happened. Trust God, the process, and yourself. Don’t let anyone else set the limits in your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unitedcultureca.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uculture_ca/?igshid=ZDg1NjBiNjg%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedculture.2022
