Life & Work with Stephanie Castillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Castillo.

Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had a keen interest in fashion, brand development, and entrepreneurship. However, following those paths never seemed promising or even possible. For that reason, I decided to follow a more traditional path in academia and higher education that would provide me with the stability and steady income that is expected of most first gens. Although I do not regret pursuing this path one bit, doing so only reinforced my strong belief that one should never ignore what truly captivates them. Otherwise, you will continue to find yourself feeling disillusioned and lacking motivation. That is why I’ve dedicated myself to bringing my creative expression to life. Although college and my career have shaped me into who I am in more ways than I can count, it was time to tap into what I’ve been drawn to since a young girl – fashion. For the past few years, while working full-time and completing my Master’s program, I decided to teach myself how to sketch, sew, and learn the complex industry of fashion.

Growing up, my mom would always bring home hand-me-down clothing from the families she worked for. Now that I look back, I believe that’s where my creativity and curiosity to alter and create clothing began. These early experiences helped me develop an eye for “fixing” clothes and making them more “me”. At 13, I got a sewing machine I had been begging my mom for. However, I failed over and over again with the simplest of tasks and I simply gave up. Fast forward 15 years later, I picked up that same sewing machine and have stuck to it since. Although I have more failed projects than successful ones, I truly believe that I’ve been onto something since that moment.

Last year I established ESEMSEA by SMC in an extra bedroom at my mom’s house. ESEMSEA is a women’s fashion brand that is inspired by aesthetics I love. All of the pieces are handmade by me and created with the empowered, fearless, and captivating women I’m inspired by in mind. I have only been in business for seven months, but the support and joy I’ve received from creating these purses has given me the confidence to continue bringing my artistry to life. I join you all to follow my journey – @shopesemsea www.esemsea.com.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest hurdle to overcome is definitely self-doubt. Although I have meticulously thought out everything about my brand for the past two years, I still find myself doubting my potential and questioning where ESEMSEA can go. I know this is something all creatives and small-business owners ponder on, but because I’m barely starting out, I find myself between these lows and highs quite often. I just make sure to snap out of it, sleep it off, take a break, and circle back with a clear mind so I can continue to perfect my craft.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time educator, Sociology nerd, and part-time creator of ESEMSEA. So far, all of my launches have been handmade purses but will hopefully soon expand to clothing as well. My purses are a balance of a minimalist and edgy style for the modern woman. Although it is A LOT, I mean, A LOT of hard work developing a product from scratch, I pride myself in designing everything myself so that it remains unique and exclusive. Every purse is perfectly imperfect and represents who I am entirely.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family, friends & community – They are the core of who I am and drive who I will become.

Staying true to yourself – You are the best version of yourself when you live your life authentically.

Learning and seeking knowledge – Learning is never-ending and will always lead to personal growth.

Advocating for those in need – Giving back improves other’s quality of life and gives me a sense of purpose.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://esemsea.com/
• Instagram: @shopesemsea