Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alieska Robles, Founder of Hamaka Creativity Lab, located in Vancouver, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Hamaka Creativity Lab is a creative studio dedicated to indie print publications that help preserve our cultural heritage and celebrate food, craftsmanship, and nature. Aside from publishing our own projects, we help authors, artists, makers, and brands preserve their legacies in print. Our customers include people looking to publish their stories and audiences looking for inspiration through carefully-curated books and magazines. We also have our own in-house magazine, Hamaka Magazine, which features Canadian makers. Each volume dives into a different trade, honouring those who work with their hands, source materials in the wild, and find fulfillment in their craft.
Tell us about yourself
I am a storyteller by heart and an all-time supporter of artists, makers, and farmers. With the rapid growth of social media, I felt the need to return to paper because of the all-encompassing experience it provides. Reading on paper requires a calm space and focused attention; something digital platforms don't seem to offer. I also believe in print media because it lives on for generations—capturing moments, collecting memories, and sharing the knowledge that exists outside of our screens. As an immigrant and artist, I value listening to diverse voices and feel inspired when people overcome social and creative obstacles. My motivation is, and always will be, people and their journeys.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building community with every project. I strive to foster meaningful collaborations and bring people together, so all my print projects have provided a safe space for people to connect and learn from each other. We all become stronger when we help each other bloom.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Having to oversee and manage everything while constantly shifting your attention between creative and administrative roles. You have to be always on call and with your best energy, which sometimes is unrealistic.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be open to new opportunities and friendships. It is all about collaboration and mutual support so everyone grows.
- Leave room for self-care and establish clear boundaries between your work hours and personal time. It is good to have hobbies and activities that are not related to your work, so you can clear your head and open space for ideas to flow.
- Don't beat yourself up when you fail. Failures are part of the journey; they will always teach you something and guide your path toward better outcomes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hamakamakes.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamakamakes/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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