Community Spotlight: Claudia Ramos the Founder of Hola Mijas Bonitas

This week's community spotlight is on bloom community member Claudia Ramos. Claudia is the founder and creator of the stationery brand Hola Mijas Bonitas. We have collaborated with Claudia on an amazing new Sticker Pack that is launching today and we wanted to help you learn more about her and her adorable Mijas characters. 

Join us and Claudia live this afternoon at 3pm EST/12pm PST on Instagram to get to know her better and have your questions answered. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hola! Hello! My name is Claudia Ramos and I am the founder/artist of Hola Mijas Bonitas (Hello Beautiful Daughters), which is a Latinx Stationery brand that showcases the beauty of diversity, friendship and having fun through a range of colorful stickers, notebooks, washi tapes, and hand drawn by me!

 I was born in El Salvador, San Salvador and came to Los Angeles, California when I was a baby. I’m first generation in my family to graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from California State University of Northridge. I’m also a mother, and married to my high school sweetheart for 15 years. I love dancing, crafting, playing video games, and drawing. You will always find me doodling or writing down new ideas for my business.

 I started Hola Mijas Bonitas in 2020 right when the Pandemic started. I was already working on my brand but when we were all staying home I decided to take the leap once I got my trademark. I knew once I started I would not stop. I had a mission because I saw a lack of representation of the Latinx, Latine community in the stationery world so I decided to make my own cute characters that represents so much of me and my community. I did not see any cute characters that looked like me and where highlighted in a positive way.  I’m so happy to see how much my brand has grown and how much the community loves what my brand stands for.

 

Who or what is your biggest inspiration? 

My biggest inspiration is my loved ones and my community. Like I shared earlier that I grew up in Los Angeles, California and my neighborhood was filled with so much diversity from food, art, music, and race. My family is a big inspiration too. Each Mija is named by a family member and it was very important for me to show them how much they mean to me by doing that.

 Also my biggest inspiration is my daughter. My daughter is always challenging me to think outside the box. My daughter inspired me to create a beautiful Asian Latina, Isa, which highlights my daughter also being Asian Latina. It’s very important to me to highlight how diverse we are with my characters.

 

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, personally or professionally? How have you overcome it?

My biggest challenge I’ve faced is believing in myself. It took me a long time to find my voice and believe that I can do whatever I want. Being the eldest, and the first Generation to graduate from university, and working in the corporate world I did not have any mentor to guide me what to do in certain situation. I was always that person that would not question anything, afraid to speak up, and to find out that what I was dealing with imposter syndrome. Once I knew what I was dealing with I started to change my ways.

I started to attend summits that were very empowering, and inspired me to do what I love. When I met so many mothers, and ladies that were doing what they loved it gave me that push to not be afraid. Once I started feeling confident I started working on my branding, creating a website, and then launching my business. I’m so proud of myself that I took that leap.So when there’s moments I feel insecure I look at all the work I’ve created and how much my community loves my Mijas.

 

If you could talk to yourself 5 years ago, what advice would you give yourself?

Five years ago I was working at a company that I was not happy. The advice I would say Claudia YOU GOT THIS MIJA! You are so talented and you are going to be create this amazing brand that reflects who you are. Claudia you have such a talent and you need to speak up. Let the world see how much you can give back with your talent.

I also would say, sometimes going through these situation makes you stronger and smarter. Life is all about always learning and challenging yourself. Even though I was not that happy with my job I learned so much from my co-workers that a lot of them became close friends. So keep being you and don’t allow certain circumstances bring you down.

 

What are some key books/learning experiences that helped shape you/your company?

Attending all these amazing summits that were so inspirational has shaped my company. I got to learn from other likeminded entrepreneurs that are doing what they love. I’ve made so many friends that we keep in touch to this day and we support each other too.

Always treat people with respect and be nice. I feel my business reflects that!

 

What are your favorite bloom products, and why?

I have to say MY STICKER SHEET! Hehe!! Truly love how this collab because from the start it’s been AMAZING! The whole Bloom team has been so supportive and it’s been a joy working with everybody. I still have to pinch myself to believe this is true that Hola Mijas Bonitas and Bloom have created a sticker sheet! These sticker sheets reflects the 3 years of late nights drawing, tears, joy, and just a reminder that if you believe in something do it. I’m so happy that we got to do this together!!! Thank you Bloom!

Also, I love their planners and sticker sheets too. I love the pockets the planners have so you can add your stickers!

 

Working with Claudia has been amazing and we are so happy to be able to share her talent with you all. The Hola Mijas Bonitas Sticker Pack is available now so you can bring the party to your planner and celebrate all of the fun of the Mijas world. 

Don't forget you can come hang out with us and Claudia live this afternoon at 3pm EST/12pm PST on Instagram to get to know her better and have your questions answered.  

   - the bloom team