Betty & Paulina’s Beamina Brand Story of Courage and Craftsmanship

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Hi and welcome to the Handbag Designer 101 podcast with your host, emily Blumenthal, handbag designer expert and handbag fairy godmother, where we cover everything about handbags from making, marketing, designing and talking to handbag designers and industry experts about what it takes to make a successful handbag.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Welcome, betty and Paulina of Beamina, living in glorious Puerto Rico as we speak.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Thank you for being part of Handbag Designer 101, the podcast.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So happy to have you.

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<v Betty Martinez>Thank you.

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<v Betty Martinez>It's our pleasure to be here.

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<v Betty Martinez>We're super happy.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>We were looking forward for this opportunity to be with you, pleasure to be here and we're super happy.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>We were looking forward for this opportunity to be with you.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I know we had a conflict just because Paulina has school, which tends to get in the way.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>High school can really slow you down when developing a brand.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So I'm glad we were able to get the time in when she was not in school legitimately and not cutting school for this and we can make this happen.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So this is super exciting.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I want to just jump right in.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So you were a mother, daughter, you were in high school, meaning daughter Paulina's in high school, not the mom.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Stranger things have happened, right, you know, be very interesting.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I would take Google back.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yeah, you don't want to go back to high school.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Trust me, you're good, you are good.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>How did this come to pass that you said?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Whose idea was it to say, oh my God, there's a hole in the market in Puerto Rico and I want to do it with you together, because we get along so well already and don't disagree on anything.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So talk to me about the raices, the roots of Bermuda.

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<v Paulina Anchia>So it was my idea, and so when I was very little, I, because you're not little now.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>16 is not little, okay, before you had wrinkles, right Got it.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>That not little.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Okay, 16 is not little Before you had wrinkles, right Got it.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yes, correct, correct.

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<v Paulina Anchia>When I was four I used to take sewing classes and I would make like clothes, I would make handbags, but they were all like made of cloth and like very low key.

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<v Paulina Anchia>But then one day I was like telling my mom that like, oh my God, I want to have a handbag in store or like anything like that, a brand, yeah.

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<v Paulina Anchia>And then one day I was telling her, like please, mom, we have to do it.

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<v Paulina Anchia>And then you know.

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<v Betty Martinez>So it really started like her hobby was doing bags all the time and she started doing paper bags and then she started with the sewing and she started doing the bags and selling to the friends and family.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>You were selling them.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yeah, yeah, so pause.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So I want to know were you profitable?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Were you making money off of them?

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<v Paulina Anchia>Yeah, because, since we would, buy like one roll of fabric, then we would make a lot of just one roll, were you making them yourself.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yes, so, and this is something interesting that a lot of new designers don't take into account is labor.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So the time value of money spent in labor, did you add on cost to the bag of how much your cost was actually making the bags?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>How did you figure out the?

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<v Paulina Anchia>pricing.

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<v Paulina Anchia>I'd meet them more for fun and I wouldn't like I would keep them for myself, but once in a while, like I would tell, like I would make like five and then I would tell like my aunts, do you want to buy one?

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<v Paulina Anchia>And they would put overpriced, only just for me to feel like I did something good.

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<v Paulina Anchia>But then we would take that money and we would always go to La Romana and we would like use that money to give to the other people in need.

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<v Paulina Anchia>So, yeah, what's like?

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<v Paulina Anchia>Whose idea was?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>that Hers.

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<v Betty Martinez>Well, since they are needle, we have been very social, active, like with empathy and helping others, like I said, told you before, like my family came from the exile of Cuba and they came here with nothing from the exile of Cuba and they came here with nothing.

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<v Betty Martinez>So for us it's also important.

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<v Betty Martinez>The same way Puerto Rico opened, you know, their hands to my family to help them in a crisis, in a political crisis, the same way we want to help other people, you know, when you come from zero, if we have a way to support and help, why we don't do that?

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<v Betty Martinez>So when she started doing the bags, and then from paper, then it was fabric, and then I used to work for this company that I used to work more than 10 years.

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<v Betty Martinez>I thought I was going to be an old lady working there and I lost my job because the company was sold and I was super sad, you know, as column of the family.

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<v Betty Martinez>For me it was a really tough time and one day Paulina saw me, you know, crying in the patio of my house.

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<v Betty Martinez>I was just defining how I'm going to be able to support the family after this big loss and Paulina saw me through the glass of the door and I was super vulnerable.

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<v Betty Martinez>I was like, oh my God, how am I going to go back?

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<v Betty Martinez>So Paulina was singing.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>It's pretty scary when your kids see you in that state I mean especially through the pandemic I think no parent is ever prepared.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>You know, regardless of what your children are going through because it wasn't easy for any kid because people were still stuck indoors it was an unhealthy, unfair scenario for kids.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>But for parents, you know, it puts you in such a vulnerable position because you're not meant to be with your family 24-7.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>And when you are with your family 24-7, your kids see you in positions that they shouldn't.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>And I mean it is what it is.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>But you know, typically there would be no real world that your daughter would see you fall apart.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>But because of how lights has happened, you know it was like the curtain was pulled, everything was just there, raw, correct.

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<v Betty Martinez>So at that time I said, like I have to go back to the house so Paulina can be relaxed and she feels me that I'm okay, you know I'll be okay, everything is going to be okay.

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<v Betty Martinez>And she gave me a book that she wrote and she drew with Crayolas and computer paper and he said, like Mom, those thunderstorms that you see are stars that are coming down and you don't want to see them.

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<v Betty Martinez>And at that point, emily, I was so Did you cry more?

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<v Betty Martinez>I'm going to cry, of course, and even that's one of the slogans that we have in the brand.

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<v Betty Martinez>Because that really was all.

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<v Betty Martinez>Because she taught me she was eight years old at the time that on the storms, there always starts and we always put our attention to the problems, but we don't find solutions sometimes to the situations and we don't see the light.

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<v Betty Martinez>So she told me that there was a solution, there was an opportunity.

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<v Betty Martinez>And she told me, mom, why we don't make the bags?

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<v Betty Martinez>I'm like Paulina, I don't have money, I don't have a job at the moment.

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<v Betty Martinez>How are we going to do this?

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<v Betty Martinez>I never thought of a business, right?

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<v Betty Martinez>So I went to bed and I start, you know, thinking about what Paulina just told me what it could be and who it would be.

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<v Betty Martinez>I was like, oh my goodness, this is so beautiful.

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<v Betty Martinez>So I started accepting her offer of making the bags a reality and I said, well, I have a boy, you know.

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<v Betty Martinez>I have a son, and everything can be about Paulina, because then my son is gonna be jealous.

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<v Betty Martinez>So I asked Pablo his name is Pablo Pablo.

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<v Betty Martinez>What name will you put to the brand?

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<v Betty Martinez>And he said Amina, because when he was little you can tell he couldn't say your name, that he couldn't pronounce Paulina, so he used to say Amina.

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<v Paulina Anchia>So when we were thinking of a name and he said that, it was like perfect.

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<v Paulina Anchia>Amina means person protected by everything that causes fear how'd you figure that out, because that's not Spanish.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yeah, no, we google it, we google it.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Somebody said, like Amina to the person protected by it's a warrior.

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<v Betty Martinez>It's actually a warrior, and B is by the verb to be.

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<v Betty Martinez>So you want to be an Amina in your life.

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<v Betty Martinez>You want to be a warrior of your dreams, and that's part of our mission and that's how we started Wow.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I mean that is look, everybody has an inception story.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I've been doing this for a really, really, really long time and I always tell designers to strip any kind of emotion out of the product, because at the end of the day, you're creating bags and they're not bingos, it's not art.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>You can't get emotionally swept up in every single bag, because the goal is right to sell, and not one, but to continue to sell more and more and more and get people to come back, and all the TTs in the world can't subsidize your future right as a brand.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So how are you able to separate the emotion and then say, okay, in my livelihood as a mom with two children two smaller children how are you able to convert this action project into saying like, okay, this has got to be a business, like, let's pull away.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Because the first instinct of a new designer who may not understand the market is you end up charging way too much for your bags because of materials and time and labor.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Like, oh, the bag's $800.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Who's going to spend $800?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So how are you able to deal with all of that?

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<v Betty Martinez>Well, actually, when we started, I used to help a lot the Ricky Martin Foundation, long before we had Viamina.

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<v Betty Martinez>So when we started creating, you know what will be the brand and the meaning and our mission, we said, like, it has to be more than just a product.

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<v Betty Martinez>It has to be, you know, it has to have a purpose.

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<v Betty Martinez>So we did an alliance with the Ricky Martin Foundation Amazing, yes, and it was beautiful because, you know, paulina was a small kid at that time and you know, to talk about how you prevent human trafficking.

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<v Betty Martinez>It was, you know, such a beautiful step and purpose for the brand, even more than our bags.

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<v Betty Martinez>You know, right, for us it was so important to have that.

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<v Betty Martinez>But then, you know, we started growing and we came.

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<v Betty Martinez>You know the pandemic, other stuff that had to shift.

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<v Betty Martinez>You know our birth control and the directions to keep helping others in other ways.

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<v Betty Martinez>Right, we still have an alliance with the Blast Wing Foundation.

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<v Paulina Anchia>It's a foundation that helps.

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<v Paulina Anchia>You can tell, Helps like young, like young girls like follow their dreams, like the purpose is to make girls want to achieve something.

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<v Paulina Anchia>So and to develop.

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<v Betty Martinez>you know their talents and it goes a lot to our brand and that's how we started.

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<v Betty Martinez>When we started the brand, we even had another logo.

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<v Betty Martinez>It was very childish, you know, it was two stars.

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<v Betty Martinez>You, you know our slogan together we shine Because you know mother and daughter, and we wanted to keep that slogan and people that were buying to us were telling us our perception is more elevated of what we see in the brand, of what we see in the brand.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So, after- Was this feedback?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Was it difficult to hear?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Because you get you know again, so swept up into the emotion of you thinking your brand and you know your brand better than anybody else.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So, were you able to receive this feedback?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Or were you like, no, you're wrong?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Or were you like, okay, we get it, we get it, let's no, no.

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<v Betty Martinez>Yeah, I totally received it.

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<v Betty Martinez>Paulina also did, and we were open to acknowledge how people were perceiving us and it was beautiful because the way they were looking at us it was even better than the way we were.

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<v Betty Martinez>So we had to elevate our quality.

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<v Betty Martinez>We had standards, our standards, the logo, everything.

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<v Paulina Anchia>So it was a huge change for us, but then we bettered it.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>If you ever wanted to start a handbag brand and didn't know where to start, this is for you.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>If you had dreams of becoming a handbag designer but aren't trained in design, this is for you.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>If you have a handbag brand and need strategy and direction, this is for you.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I'm Emily Blumenthal, handbag designer expert and handbag fairy godmother, and this is the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Over the next 10 classes, I will break down everything you need to know to make, manufacture and market a handbag brand, broken down to ensure that you will not only skip steps in the handbag building process, but also to save money to avoid the learning curve of costly mistakes.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>For the past 20 years, I've been teaching at the top fashion universities in New York City, wrote the Handbag Designer Bible, founded the Handbag Awards and created the only Handbag Designer podcast.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I'm going to show you like I have countless brands to create in this in-depth course, from sketch to sample to sale.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Whether you're just starting out and don't even know where to start or begin, or if you've had a brand and need some strategic direction, the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass is just for you.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So let's get started and you'll be the creator of the next it bag.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Join me, emily Blumenthal, in the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So be sure to sign up at emilyblumenthalcom slash masterclass and type in the code PINECAST to get 10% off your masterclass today.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>To get 10% off your masterclass today?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Well, I want to ask you because I know way back, like with Coach, you know, like early 2000s, before that, like there was still a lot of handbag manufacturing in Puerto Rico.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Now there's pretty much none.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So how were you able to find manufacturing, especially with this loyalty of recognizing the give back?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I'm sure your first instinct would be like let's make them locally give jobs and people.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>You know, but you know materials and so forth.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>How did you deal with that?

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<v Betty Martinez>Yes, so in Puerto Rico.

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<v Betty Martinez>It's really hard for the manufacturer, so we have to really do it in another country.

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<v Betty Martinez>We started in Colombia and then right now we are producing in Europe, in Italy and in Spain.

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<v Betty Martinez>We had to elevate completely our brand and that's where we're developing our products right now.

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<v Betty Martinez>I have to say that our icon bag, it's our bonbon.

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<v Betty Martinez>This is our icon bag and we have a patent design for our bonbon and we are super happy, super excited that we accomplished that.

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<v Betty Martinez>We also have a patent license for our angel wings, the Zip, the Zip bag, and you can use it, you know, in different ways.

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<v Betty Martinez>So we feel super happy.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>It has been a long way but it is accomplished and those bags are leather.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Yes, yes, yes, congratulations.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>By the way, I think I have five or six handbag patents, design patents, and it's funny.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Was your angle for that to stop people from potentially knocking it off, or was it potentially to license it out?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Because to spend that money for IP it's really expensive?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Because to spend that money for IP it's really expensive, it's really time consuming.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So how were you able to justify the why of protecting those particular silhouettes so when we started it was something organic.

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<v Betty Martinez>So because Paulina was the one that really started doing all the bags, and when we started, I started producing all the bags that Paulina was designing, we start, I start producing all the bags that Paulina was designing, and that was one of, I will say, the mistakes that I made.

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<v Betty Martinez>And then I started putting more attention to what was our, you know, the bestseller, and it was our bonbon and we elevated the bonbon and then we stayed with the bonbon for a long time and I remember that people were like, are you doing another bag?

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<v Betty Martinez>Because I, we stay with one bag and one bag and one bag, that's it, nothing else.

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<v Betty Martinez>And I think that was the best thing.

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<v Betty Martinez>I brand and I had to protect our design and that's why we patent, we wanted it to be ours?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>yeah, no, it's.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>You know, having been through that and the time and the effort and energy and and doing so much research on the history of the handbag and who actually takes the time to protect?

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Because with patents there's a utility patent which is based on function and how it's used.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Design is obviously the design of the bag.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Not a lot of people do it.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Not a lot of them get approved.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>But I always try like whenever designers say so I would say you know, for you to drop that.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>I mean, when I did it it was 7,000.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Now it's clearly much more to spend that money.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>Just make sure that whatever you're doing, it is for a reason.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>And then again, I always recommend if anybody's going to knock you off, you knock yourself off first.

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<v Emily Blumenthal>So that's a secret trick.

00:17:58.188 --> 00:18:08.970
<v Emily Blumenthal>So you know, I teach my students if you're going to be on the market, you want to be the fastest, the first or the best.

00:18:08.970 --> 00:18:15.372
<v Emily Blumenthal>So if you're going to use something that you've spent all this money on and you're doing it to protect, then make sure if there's anyone who's going to knock you off, do it yourself first.

00:18:15.372 --> 00:18:21.125
<v Emily Blumenthal>So if there is a lesser priced version, it's coming from you so you can reap the benefits of everything.

00:18:21.125 --> 00:18:22.351
<v Emily Blumenthal>Because that's the whole point.

00:18:22.351 --> 00:18:28.952
<v Emily Blumenthal>I'm not telling you to do it, I'm just saying that's always the advice I give, like, if you're going to do this, go big or go home.

00:18:28.952 --> 00:18:29.815
<v Emily Blumenthal>You know what I mean.

00:18:29.835 --> 00:18:33.233
<v Betty Martinez>Yes, Like we, our icon bag right.

00:18:33.233 --> 00:18:35.814
<v Betty Martinez>We are already in El Corte Inglés in Spain.

00:18:35.814 --> 00:18:41.548
<v Betty Martinez>We are doing everything A we are doing everything that a lot of projects and a lot of projects.

00:18:41.548 --> 00:18:55.498
<v Betty Martinez>People in the industry, they're looking at us, you know, they understand and they see our product as a great product, Something of value yeah, of value and they're high quality and it distinguishes by itself, Right?

00:18:55.498 --> 00:19:03.403
<v Betty Martinez>I hope that through this beautiful podcast that we're doing, people can see us and they're interested.

00:19:03.403 --> 00:19:06.654
<v Betty Martinez>They can contact us and have our bonbon.

00:19:07.727 --> 00:19:10.605
<v Emily Blumenthal>So I want to talk a little bit about that Now.

00:19:10.605 --> 00:19:28.234
<v Emily Blumenthal>In terms of the learning curve of OK, I'm a mom, I'm the matriarch of this family, I'm going all in on this handbag thing, how was it to go from we have our first sample to how did you get your first orders?

00:19:28.234 --> 00:19:30.905
<v Emily Blumenthal>Did you personally go door to door?

00:19:30.905 --> 00:19:32.248
<v Emily Blumenthal>Did the two of you do it?

00:19:32.248 --> 00:19:32.910
<v Emily Blumenthal>Did you?

00:19:32.910 --> 00:19:34.011
<v Emily Blumenthal>You know?

00:19:34.011 --> 00:19:44.519
<v Emily Blumenthal>Obviously Puerto Rico is a very close, tight, community driven culture, so I'm sure you knew someone who knew someone who had a boutique.

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:48.335
<v Emily Blumenthal>Did someone do a favor for you to do a test?

00:19:48.335 --> 00:19:50.152
<v Emily Blumenthal>Did they actually buy it from you?

00:19:50.152 --> 00:19:51.550
<v Emily Blumenthal>What was the story there?

00:19:52.384 --> 00:19:55.295
<v Betty Martinez>No, so we were really an e-commerce brand.

00:19:55.295 --> 00:20:09.492
<v Betty Martinez>We stayed for a long time e-commerce only, and now we just opened our first flagship store, wow, in Puerto Rico, and we're super happy with the opportunity.

00:20:10.414 --> 00:20:13.525
<v Emily Blumenthal>Wow, so you remain direct to consumer.

00:20:13.525 --> 00:20:16.413
<v Emily Blumenthal>You didn't even go the boutique route at all.

00:20:16.413 --> 00:20:19.553
<v Emily Blumenthal>No, how did you come up with that reason to try?

00:20:19.553 --> 00:20:23.871
<v Emily Blumenthal>Because you're starting with, you know, zero community, zero followers.

00:20:23.871 --> 00:20:31.753
<v Emily Blumenthal>I mean, obviously, having a 16 year old daughter who's on the pulse of everything, I'm sure you were able to get a following pretty quick.

00:20:31.753 --> 00:20:35.067
<v Emily Blumenthal>So how were you able to translate?

00:20:35.106 --> 00:20:37.991
<v Paulina Anchia>that, so it was just like the patent.

00:20:37.991 --> 00:20:42.839
<v Paulina Anchia>I think we wanted it to be ours instead of going to other people.

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:45.192
<v Paulina Anchia>There's something we knew we could do on our own.

00:20:46.085 --> 00:20:58.913
<v Betty Martinez>Yeah, we wanted to start, you know, making a brand like people can see us like, as a brand as itself, not like in every single boutique, to give that opportunity of exclusivity.

00:20:58.913 --> 00:21:00.656
<v Betty Martinez>To give that opportunity of exclusivity.

00:21:00.656 --> 00:21:14.233
<v Betty Martinez>So to keep that exclusivity, I had to hold myself on the intention on other opportunities because we knew where we wanted to go and I think we have accomplished till now.

00:21:14.233 --> 00:21:17.194
<v Betty Martinez>We have created a brand as itself.

00:21:17.194 --> 00:21:22.832
<v Betty Martinez>People recognize us, people value what we have done and they respect us a lot.

00:21:22.832 --> 00:21:41.258
<v Betty Martinez>So I think that was something that it was hard at the moment because I had to have five or six jobs at the same time to fund myself, of course, to make a brand, because making a brand from zero it's super hard, and more such a competitive industry where we are right now.

00:21:41.258 --> 00:21:49.307
<v Betty Martinez>But I feel super proud and accomplished both of us that what we have created till now has been successful.

00:21:49.307 --> 00:21:59.094
<v Betty Martinez>But a lot of work, you know, and Paulina has seen the process and she has been involved in the process and I think it's physically half your life.

00:21:59.685 --> 00:22:04.538
<v Emily Blumenthal>I mean, that's keep the wrinkles on a minimum, but good for you for controlling the stress.

00:22:04.538 --> 00:22:08.252
<v Emily Blumenthal>I want to ask were the first orders you received?

00:22:08.252 --> 00:22:11.768
<v Emily Blumenthal>Were they from Puerto Rico, like, did you know?

00:22:11.768 --> 00:22:17.548
<v Emily Blumenthal>Obviously we have this amazing, we have a connection with your publicist and so forth.

00:22:17.548 --> 00:22:18.833
<v Emily Blumenthal>Victoria, who's amazing.

00:22:18.833 --> 00:22:25.555
<v Emily Blumenthal>But I always tell designers do everything yourself first, because that's the way you understand the market.

00:22:25.555 --> 00:22:31.458
<v Emily Blumenthal>You know who the people are, who the players are, who to reach out to press, media, marketing, sales.

00:22:31.458 --> 00:22:35.496
<v Emily Blumenthal>You have to know how to do these things by yourself before you outsource.

00:22:35.496 --> 00:22:39.049
<v Emily Blumenthal>So how were you able to get people to know you existed?

00:22:39.730 --> 00:22:46.579
<v Paulina Anchia>I think the first couple of people that bought were either from Puerto Rico or from Miami.

00:22:46.921 --> 00:23:08.200
<v Betty Martinez>Yes, but I think that, like with all the interviews, like in the local news, yeah, we were able to be out there, like Hola TV did an interview for us, cnn, abc, nbc, the local news also.

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:14.376
<v Betty Martinez>You know they interview us and it was something that really got the attention because it was something different.

00:23:14.376 --> 00:23:17.213
<v Betty Martinez>It was a true story, it was not a made up story.

00:23:17.213 --> 00:23:27.493
<v Betty Martinez>So every time we went to the interviews the anchor will ask Paulina anything that they want and Paulina will answer with the true story.

00:23:27.493 --> 00:23:33.199
<v Betty Martinez>It's not that I'm telling Paulina, hey, say this or say that, it just came organically.

00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:41.594
<v Betty Martinez>So it doesn't matter what question they will ask, the truth will come out and people love that and appreciate that that.

00:23:41.594 --> 00:23:57.901
<v Betty Martinez>You know it was a hard-working mom that lost her job and her daughter had a talent and it just came to where we are right now paulina, are you still doing the sketching, the mock-ups, are you still developing?

00:23:58.844 --> 00:24:05.691
<v Paulina Anchia>yes, and since we have like new bags through season, so we have to like remake them, to send them so they could come before.

00:24:05.691 --> 00:24:11.808
<v Paulina Anchia>So it's a big process but we're able to figure out the timing right and everything.

00:24:11.808 --> 00:24:24.574
<v Paulina Anchia>So it's like the design, then we send it, they make it, the prototype comes and then we send the official with all the edits and how it's going to be the final product.

00:24:24.574 --> 00:24:43.586
<v Paulina Anchia>So I think we both pitch in when it comes to the idea making and how we want everything to be specifically, because even though it's a little detailed and we want it fixed, then we'll just both agree on it detail and we want it fixed.

00:24:43.606 --> 00:24:44.429
<v Emily Blumenthal>Then we'll just both agree on it.

00:24:44.429 --> 00:24:45.671
<v Emily Blumenthal>Have you made mistakes within developing the collection?

00:24:45.671 --> 00:24:51.211
<v Emily Blumenthal>Because a lot of designers, when they do get excited, they get attention, they're able to make a little bit of money.

00:24:51.211 --> 00:24:57.073
<v Emily Blumenthal>The first thing they do is over-design, over-develop, over-create and I want to do this and I want to do that.

00:24:57.073 --> 00:25:05.294
<v Emily Blumenthal>And were you able to take your anchor piece, your signature bag, and say you know what, if this is our bestseller, let's keep it in the family?

00:25:05.354 --> 00:25:26.256
<v Paulina Anchia>So all the bags look related, I think once that first like new development came in, I think obviously we did get excited and sometimes you know you can go a little off, but I think we measured just the right amount for the first time and then we slowly kept on increasing the amount of bags we did.

00:25:27.244 --> 00:25:36.790
<v Betty Martinez>So we have been very professional On the inventory, because that could be something that can kill any designer 100% the inventory.

00:25:36.790 --> 00:25:40.484
<v Betty Martinez>So that's why, you know, we started only with one product.

00:25:40.484 --> 00:25:57.328
<v Betty Martinez>Once we were established and the market accepted us, then, you know, we started moving with other designs and now with a flagship store that we created because it really gives us, you know, more publicity, but a statement that we are a real brand.

00:25:57.328 --> 00:26:12.073
<v Betty Martinez>We're not here as a hobby, this is a real brand and we're here, you know, to work and give the best that we can to our clients and, obviously, so more people can get to know us and value what we represent.

00:26:13.006 --> 00:26:17.751
<v Emily Blumenthal>Final question, and then I want everybody to know where they can find and follow you.

00:26:17.751 --> 00:26:22.968
<v Emily Blumenthal>But, paulina, do you have to work at the store after school, do you?

00:26:23.008 --> 00:26:34.992
<v Paulina Anchia>work there Like I, just like right next to where the store is, so I can go there before my practice and stay there and then I'll change for my practice.

00:26:34.992 --> 00:26:40.494
<v Paulina Anchia>But I usually go more like on the weekends with my mom and we'll just stay there like hours.

00:26:43.265 --> 00:26:46.690
<v Emily Blumenthal>I find it fun, because I find it calming to go there, so it's like a hard place.

00:26:46.690 --> 00:26:51.035
<v Emily Blumenthal>Yeah, amazing Ladies, this has been fantastic.

00:26:51.035 --> 00:26:55.080
<v Emily Blumenthal>How can everybody find and follow Bermina?

00:27:01.285 --> 00:27:05.345
<v Paulina Anchia>Where, if they decide to show up in Puerto Rico, where can they find your store and learn more?

00:27:06.670 --> 00:27:08.682
<v Betty Martinez>So you can find it online at Beaminacom.

00:27:09.724 --> 00:27:10.286
<v Paulina Anchia>Beaminacom.

00:27:10.286 --> 00:27:17.188
<v Paulina Anchia>On Instagram it's Beamina Official, and on Facebook as well.

00:27:17.188 --> 00:27:23.049
<v Paulina Anchia>But here in Puerto Rico you can find it at San Patricio Liberty Square.

00:27:23.769 --> 00:27:25.270
<v Betty Martinez>It's San Patricio Plaza.

00:27:25.270 --> 00:27:29.392
<v Betty Martinez>It's a shopping center, it's a mall here in Guaynabo in Puerto Rico.

00:27:29.392 --> 00:27:31.692
<v Betty Martinez>It's a new area and it's very, very nice.

00:27:32.472 --> 00:27:33.212
<v Emily Blumenthal>And in what city?

00:27:33.212 --> 00:27:35.673
<v Emily Blumenthal>In Puerto Rico, guaynabo, guaynabo.

00:27:35.673 --> 00:27:40.536
<v Emily Blumenthal>Okay, amazing Ladies, I only wish you the best.

00:27:40.536 --> 00:27:45.477
<v Emily Blumenthal>I am so honored that I was able to speak to you at this point.

00:27:45.477 --> 00:27:52.940
<v Emily Blumenthal>I hope we can reflect on this when, betty, you look exactly the same and Paulina will look much older.

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.901
<v Emily Blumenthal>I hope so.

00:27:54.901 --> 00:27:57.080
<v Emily Blumenthal>Yes, exactly so.

00:27:57.080 --> 00:28:00.541
<v Emily Blumenthal>Bamina, b-e-a-m-i-n-a dot com.

00:28:00.541 --> 00:28:02.403
<v Emily Blumenthal>Thank you, ladies, so very much.

00:28:02.403 --> 00:28:03.682
<v Emily Blumenthal>Fue un gran placer.

00:28:03.682 --> 00:28:04.604
<v Emily Blumenthal>Thank you so much.

00:28:08.825 --> 00:28:09.590
<v Betty Martinez>Thank you so much.

00:28:09.672 --> 00:28:11.384
<v Emily Blumenthal>It was a real pleasure and thank you for the opportunity.

00:28:11.384 --> 00:28:12.506
<v Emily Blumenthal>Thanks for listening.

00:28:12.506 --> 00:28:17.874
<v Emily Blumenthal>Don't forget to rate and review, and follow us on every single platform at Handbag Designer.

00:28:17.874 --> 00:28:18.755
<v Emily Blumenthal>Thanks so much.

00:28:18.755 --> 00:28:19.756
<v Emily Blumenthal>See you next time.