Mother’s love of family fashion leads to new small business in Honduras
I never imagined that my talent would lie between fabrics and scissors, experimenting with different types of canvases, textures, and colors. I enjoy ensuring everything is in harmony, and it is precisely this process that most satisfies me with each new order.
- 3 years ago
June 4, 2022
Iliana de Linares Caballero on Aug. 30, 2021, the day she opened her store | Photo courtesy of Iliana de Linares Caballero
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras—I write down the details of another order while I watch over Sadie Sofia during her virtual classes in our Creative Space. Adrián plays with some of the toys that are part of the decoration of the Best Minie-me Hn shop. For me, this is a dream come true, one I worked night and day for.
Discovering a passion for family fashion
I remember that Friday five years ago so clearly.
Thinking it would be fun to dress myself the same as my daughter, I had two white blouses made: one for Sadie and one for me. I was so happy with the result that I asked my husband to take a picture of us.
It was not the best photo—in fact, we posed sitting in our car’s back seat. Although you could not appreciate the outfits very well, that same day I uploaded the photo to a mom group on Facebook. From that moment on, my life changed.
After posting the photo on social media, forgot about it. We returned home and fell asleep. The next day when I woke up, I was surprised to see more than 1,000 messages stemming from my post. They were all positive: What beautiful blouses! I want them for myself and my daughter! Where did you buy them? Do you sell them?
I stopped for a moment and read again: do you sell them? No, I didn’t sell them yet, but that was about to change. That is when the business idea came to my mind, and before answering, I created a page and a name for my new venture: Best Minie-me Hn.
I posted the link in the comments of that photo, and I told all the moms who commented on it to follow it and place their orders. Two days after that, we were already delivering matching clothes.
Growing a fledgling small business in Honduras
The progress has been slow but steady, and each order was essential to get to where we are today. Every corner of our physical store, opened in 2021, is decorated with care and dedication. Although the responsibilities are greater now that we have grown, I still can deliver on time. God speaks to me through someone showing me that what I do inspires others.
Before, our home served as my workshop, warehouse, and storage; there were fabrics, rulers, threads, scissors, and sketches everywhere. I made deliveries personally with my daughter in my arms, sometimes hurrying because she was sick or fussy. Now, my shop and Creative Space has an address in one of the main cities of Honduras.
I’ve tried to launch other types of businesses in the past; I always wanted to have a personal income without neglecting my children and house. However, selling food and coffee didn’t work out.
Now I’ve found my strength, and creating combined clothing designs for the whole family has become my daily job and passion.
Once I finish the clothes and they reach the hands of my clients, pride fills me to see them in photo sessions, birthdays and events.
I never imagined that my talent would lie between fabrics and scissors, experimenting with different types of canvases, textures, and colors. I enjoy ensuring everything is in harmony, and it is precisely this process that most satisfies me with each new order.
