It feels like just yesterday I was setting up my very first event at Heritage Park for a summer movie night. I remember being so nervous but also really excited. I had no idea if anyone would stop by or if this random little idea in my head would become something real or last anything more than that summer.

I’m not sure if I’ve shared this but Piel Fina started because of 2 handbags! 

One day, my sister text me a picture of a beautiful brown Mexican leather handbag and a tiktok link. I clicked on it and fell in love! It was a señora from a mexican boutique in another state going live sharing all the bags they had from their beautiful boutique. 

I fell in love with 2 of them. A few days letter, I got a large pink package on porch. Before I even opened it, I could smell the leather through the packaging. When I opened it, the details, colors, and patterns were so beautiful and I remember thinking, Why don’t we see more of this in LA? That’s when the idea for Piel Fina was born literally like a light bulb moment.

My favorite memories from those first events were hearing people walk into my booth and say, “It smells like Mexico,” or telling me how beautiful the bags were. Of course making my first sales were exciting but seeing people genuinely appreciate the pieces meant just as much.

These last two years have taught me that owning a small business isn’t easy. There have been scams, disappointing events, and moments where I questioned everything. But then a new shipment arrives. I get to unwrap each bag or I meet someone at an event who lights up when they step into my booth. I see someone carrying their Piel Fina bag months later, sometimes at another market, and it reminds me exactly why I started.

Every order means more than just supporting a small business. It helps support talented artesanos across León, CDMX, San Miguel de Allende, Puebla, and Aguascalientes. Every bag, wallet, and accessory represents hours of handmade hard work. 

My hope has always been that when someone carries a Piel Fina item, they know they’re carrying something special.

I’m deeply thankful for everyone i’ve ever crossed paths with because of Piel Fina. You’ve helped turn what started as a crazy little idea into something I truly love.

Piel Fina has been my passion project. I work on it after work, on weekends, and whenever I can. Not because I have to, but because I genuinely love it and I get to do that because of you!

Here’s to year three!