Meet Johana Paola Luna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johana Paola Luna.

Hi Johana Paola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The brand and the business has always been a way for my brother, Jose Luna, and I (Johana Paola Luna) to be creative. It is an outlet where we can materialize ideas and dreams that were once only drawings or thoughts. My brother; the other half of Beaugrimebaby, is a graphic designer and licensing specialist. He has always been an artist; ever since he was small, he has been constantly creating. I am a full-time student entering my first year as an animal science – pre-vet major at Cal Poly Pomona; I am working towards becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine. We started our business as a way to create together. We started out with selling jewelry on Etsy in 2017 when I was around 13 years old. My brother has always been by my side, teaching me and showing me all the different aspects of owning and running a business. While together, we come up with the designs and the characters that are featured and can be found in our clothing and accessories; he is the artist who draws and designs. Slowly, we worked towards creating our own website (which launched in 2020). Today we have our own website (Beaugrimebaby.com), Depop (Grimeybaby), and Etsy (Grimeybaby). We grab inspiration from anime, our Hispanic and Latino culture, books, films, music, and our community. Today, we create our own laser-cut acrylic jewelry hand screen print our original designs on clothing, tote bags, stickers, prints, and other accessories. We are always brainstorming and creating new products.

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 definitely has not been a smooth road. We come from an immigrant family that is always working and trying to provide a great future for my siblings and myself. I have always taken my education very seriously, and trying to balance school, housework, and the business has not been a smooth journey. And even to this day, I am constantly working towards finding that balance. As I am entering my first year of university, I am going to be taking on even more responsibilities, but I am excited to see how the business and my career grow side by side. While money has been an ongoing struggle in my household, I am fortunate that I can help contribute because of the business. I am able to pay for my university education because of the business, while my family focuses on the health of my father, who has recently started on dialysis. We have also encountered many people who have questioned whether Beaugrimebaby is a serious business; there has been people who have doubted our abilities and success. But I fortunately have my brother at my side, and together we are constantly working to evolve and grow Beaugrimebaby.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think that our art and creations can speak for themselves, and I am very proud of that. Everything we make, we make with intention and love for what we do. Our characters have each their own stories, and every color and design has a purpose. While my life goal has always been to become a veterinarian, I think that my current work has contributed so much to my journey of realizing a future as a vet.

What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to one day opening a storefront for Beaugrimebaby and being able to purchase a home for my family. We have also created a food business, Beau’s Cafe, where we make and sell a wide range of food and aguas frescas. We sell at vendor shows, much like Uptown Flea Market in Whittier, but we just recently started catering for parties and events and one we hope that the food business can also grow into something big. Although I am just 18 years old, I have a lot of goals and plans for my future.

Pricing:

• Clothing ranges from $10-$15
• Totes and accessories range from $6-$20

Contact Info:

• Website: Beaugrimebaby.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/beaugrimebaby?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Other: Beau’s Cafe https://instagram.com/beauscafeofficial?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==