Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Hernandez.
Martha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I think it all started when at 11 years old I chose a Levi’s Denim skirt over a Barbie at JcPenny. That skirt was my most prized possession and I felt so cool and grown up. It was 1989 so late 80’s fashion is now considered vintage. I am a born and bred Angeleno growing up in an unknown part of LA known as El Sereno. My first job was in retail and even though I went on to obtain my business degree with a fashion merchandising certificate you can still find me in retail . My career has really led me to work for really cool places and with really cool people. Majority of my career led me to work at Levi Strauss the epitome of American Cool (remember the denim skirt) for 14 years and in the last three years led me to work for Victoria’s secret the epitome of sexy. I equally love the creative piece about my career as well as the human interaction side both my customers and my employees. You have to really listen would be my advice.
As I round 23 years in the industry, I will be launching my own online store www.miniminicloset.com which specializes in seasonal capsule for kids along with some exclusive pieces. It is dedicated to my two mini me’s who are my social media feed. In addition, I will be expanding my Raising Spanglish to Styling Spanglish. This is my hobby for me. Styling Spanglish will be boutique tableware rental company specializing in vintage and colorful pieces that touch my culture. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit which I got from my parents. They owned a bakery in the late 70s while my mom still having a full time job. My siblings and I came along and they hung up their aprons to raise us. I always ask, “why couldn’t you do both”. I channel that today that you can do both.
Great, 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?
There are no smooth roads. Both ideas have been on my mind for years but I didn’t have the courage to start. Starting is the hardest part. Sometimes the initial struggles is your own mindset getting in your way – failure, let down, insecurity. You do have to let it go and just start.
Raising Spanglish – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is MiniMiniCloset.com an online boutique specializing in seasonal capsule for kids with some exclusive curated pieces. I have two girls – 3.5 years old and a two years old and clothing can become crazy real quick. I am pretty discipline since my first to pick 20 or so piece and that is what she would wear all season. Spring/summer & fall/winter. We live in LA so we have weather on our side. Some piece carry into the next season or they share a lot. I had a lot of curiosity on their closets. To be honest, my girls share a 16 inch deep 36 inch long closet its small and one dresser thats it. If they get gifts thats a bonus but my husband and I do one seasonal haul and thats it. Questions were coming on how I put their outfits together, how I decide… so I decided to create the store to help other working moms like me who honestly we don’t have time. We don’t have time to wrestle kids into car seats drive to mall shop etc etc etc etc. it becomes chaotic very quick.
My other venture is StylingSpanglish.com which a boutique tableware rental company specializing in vintage and colorful pieces. I have a strong stance on sustainability (my girls share a lot of their stuff). I don’t like waste and you know older pieces are honestly so much more gorgeous. We will have china, dishes, colored glassware, napkins and some linens to rent. I love the detail of table setting. There are hardly any new pieces in the collection and I am proud of that. We even have some depression glass and vintage china. Any occasion if you decide to celebrate it should have beautiful tableware. People spend so much time cooking and preparing their meal to then go on paper plates. I think of my grandmother and it was a task to decide what platter she would use to serve her meal. This is my way of sparking the beauty of detail into every celebration.
I think this is a void in our community serving busy professional working mothers like myself. I am a mom in her 40s who started her family later in life with toddlers who is trying to do it all in fragments of time then thats my mission.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have some good ones in the last 20 years but I would have to say having to negotiate my pay to my worth. It was hard but you have to be your own advocate.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Raising Spanglish
Image Credit:
Nataly Lemus Photography – outdoor photos, The Blooming Vase – Floral arrangements, Styling Spanglish – All tableware is for rent
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
