Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harrison.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Originally from Paris, Texas, I grew up in Plano and then went on to study Corporate Communications and Spanish at Southern Methodist University. After doing a summer abroad program in Xalapa, Mexico, I knew that I wanted to return to Mexico after graduating. I saved money by working at Intermix selling designer clothes and accessories, and this is where I got my first taste of retail.
I then moved to Monterrey, Mexico, where I stayed for 10+ years. I got my Master’s Degree, I made great friends, met my husband, and worked in the Marketing department at the Latin American headquarters of a global telecommunications company. But there was still something missing.
In the back of my mind, I knew that I always wanted to bring together my love for Mexico and interest in fashion, so I started researching vendors in Leon, which is the mecca of leather in Mexico. I eventually established a partnership with one, took a fast-track course in handbag design in NYC, and at the end of 2016, I officially launched Au Mexique.
Has it been a smooth road?
First and foremost, there have been a few personal obstacles. One year after launching my brand, I unexpectedly lost my mom, and a year after that, my husband and I decided to move back the United States, where we lived with a family for six months until we finally settled into a place of our own. So, those big life events most definitely required me to focus my attention elsewhere and not so much on my business.
As far as the business side, I would say that having all of my production thousands of miles of way in Leon has been a challenge as far as quality control and consistency. Also, getting your brand out there when there are millions of online shops, brands, social media accounts, and just a lot of noise, in general, that you have to compete with.
My advice for other women is not to give up. Know that building a business takes years, and when it is just you, things tend to move slowly. Having a business is like being on a roller coaster, so if you can ride out the low’s like you do the high’s, you will be good!
We’d love to hear more about Au Mexique.
Au Mexique is a line of boho luxe leather handbags and accessories that are handcrafted by artisans in Mexico using premium quality leather.
My mission with Au Mexique is to create beautiful, designer-quality leather goods that will form part of your life for years to come. I want the bags to be a reasonable price and also use the brand as a vehicle to share Mexico’s incredible craftsmanship with the rest of the world.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Fortunately, we live in a time where you can start a business with a few clicks of a button. There are so many platforms and tools available where you can easily set up your online store and market your business thanks to the internet and social media. It wasn’t that way 15-20 years ago, but that being said, because starting a business is so much more accessible, I feel like you compete with more. Not necessarily with businesses in your industry/niche, but you also compete for the attention of your customers between all the social media platforms, apps, influencers, big box stores, small businesses, etc. There is just a lot going on, and I feel like that is a big barrier to overcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.au-mexique.com
- Email: info@au-mexique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/au_mexique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuMexiqueShop/
Image Credit:
Stephanie Harrison, Edgar Luna, Gilda Cazares
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