Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivanna Alonzo.
Hi Ivanna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Shop Chere began summer of 2019. Growing up, I have always been known as the girl who was usually way overdressed for school. I used to make my own tops in high school and had considered going to fashion school. Unsure of what path to take, I knew I had a passion for design and eventually pursued architecture in college. Two years ago, I decided to enter into my university’s annual fashion show. Being able to design my own clothing pieces made me miss being more involved in fashion. That same summer, I thought about starting an online store. Moving from Fresno to Los Angeles, I know that this city has high opportunities to start your own business. I was unsure of what I really wanted the store to focus on. I asked my friend Luz, whose fashion style has always inspired me if she wanted to start Shop Chere with me. We quickly started brainstorming what we wanted the brand to revolve around and what the overall tone would be. Shop Chere’s first piece was a tee shirt with my own design. The support we received from our fellow colleagues, friends, and family was amazing and really gave us the push to continue expanding! We began to bring in unique and fun handbags which continue to be the main focus of our store.
Craving human interaction and wanting to see in person what pieces girls loved most, I began to look for local markets. Our first pop-up was at the Rosebowl Flea Market and this really allowed our audience to grow as we were meeting hundreds of new people at the spot. We began to see our online sales continuously get better, however when the pandemic hit Shop Chere definitely suffered. Pop-ups were canceled and many people felt financially unstable which I believe played a role on sales declining. In addition, I was laid off by my previous job due to the pandemic. Knowing how much I enjoy running a small business and knowing having the skills to run a small business, I decided to also begin an online jewelry store called Peach LA. By continuing to work hard and giving it the same amount of effort and passion as we have had since day one, Shop Chere and Peach LA continue to grow more and more. Being a small business owner has allowed me to meet some amazing customers as well as other fellow girls who have the same ambition of running a small business. 2020 has definitely been a strange and rough year for many business owners however I continue to be extremely excited for Shop Chere and Peach LA.
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?
Running a small business is not a smooth road. My business partner and I are both full-time college students and before the pandemic, we were both working part-time jobs as well. Our money was tight which made it difficult to invest as much money as we wanted to in the beginning. However, we started small and were careful in how we executed the store. Another challenge for both of us was time. We had school every other day and the two days we had off, we spent working morning to night and finishing school projects until 2-3am. Most of our photoshoots and store planning was done between class breaks on campus!
As you know, we’re big fans of Shop Chere and Peach LA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shop Chere specializes in unique and high-quality handbags. Our bags allow people to express themselves through fashion. What I love about our store is that we strive to cater to many different kinds of people. We do not want someone to ever visit our store and feel as if we do not align with their own fashion style, for that reason we strive to always have a huge variety of pieces in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Peach LA specializes in 18K gold plated jewelry and we are also expanding to sell gold-filled jewelry. Peach LA provides high-quality and stunning jewelry pieces at a very affordable price. We carry both men’s and women’s jewelry. What sets our brand apart is our affordability. Fine jewelry is usually worn for special occasions but we think fine jewelry should be worn whenever you’d like. Customers can treat themselves or buy for a loved one knowing they are purchasing a high-quality piece without breaking their bank.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was going to Disneyland with my whole family when I was little. All my cousins, aunts, uncles, and parents were there. With my father passing a few years ago, I have learned to cherish memories so much more.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shoppeachla and ShopChere.Com
- Instagram: @shopchere and @shoppeachla
Image Credits:
@madelineejavier, LuzMaria Ramirez, Buena Planta
