When Lisa Rocha began doing trade shows in 1999, she noticed a lack of Latina-inspired products with a Latin cultural aesthetic — "the only place you could find anything was at Olvera Street." That gap inspired her to launch ILAMENTS, a Latina fine jewelry brand.

Rocha's career began in the mid-'90s working for a home-based jewelry designer. She soon started designing her own pieces and became a vendor at Self Help Graphics in 1996, paying $10 for a table at their upstairs salon — "the place that gave me an outlet into the Chicano Art Scene."

Since then, ILAMENTS has been sold at boutiques including Mi Vida, Fred Segal, and ChimMaya Gallery, and carried by museums like The Smithsonian, The Autry, MOLAA, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocha's work has also appeared in InStyle, Latina Magazine, Cosmo for Latinas, and Teen Vogue.

ILAMENTS Bamboo Hoops. *Photo by* *Vanessa Gonzalez*.

The name ilaments combines "ila" (one who takes on challenges) with "ments" (from "elements"). Statement pieces like "Chola Boss" and "Chingona" reflect Rocha's culture and community: "It was vital for me to create pieces that would represent my cultural background and serve as a reminder of my Mexican/Native American ancestors and Chicano heritage."

Looking back on your career, what advice would you give to your past self when you were just starting out? I would tell my younger self to incorporate a business structure from the very beginning. Today, I understand that it is an important step toward setting yourself up for future success.

Having a strong foundation creates a consistent framework for making decisions, knowing where to focus, and understanding where to invest your time and resources. It gives your vision the structure it needs to grow.

What are the most important lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur? Is there anything you would do differently?

Trust my intuition. In the early years, I was focused on starting and keeping things moving forward. I didn’t always take the time to pause, re-evaluate, or explore opportunities like bringing in a business investor.

That said, I wouldn’t change anything. Every experience, challenge, and mistake has shaped who I am today. We need those moments because they teach us the lessons we need to grow, adapt, and ultimately succeed.

Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work/business?

Lisa Rocha adjusts a jewelry piece, preparing every detail with care. *Photo by* *Vanessa Gonzalez*

The more I think about it, the more I realize it was my grandmother, Carmen. She was innovative, hardworking, loving, and incredibly supportive. I see so much of her in myself.

Today, I approach my work with the goal of creating a legacy for my daughters, just like my grandmother did with her famous nachos at El Cholo. I want women to believe in themselves and recognize their own genius and talents.

When you're faced with a creativity block, what's your strategy to get innovating?

Going for a brisk walk or run helps me clear my mind and move through creative blocks. Reading helps too. But when it comes to designing, it’s really about getting out of your own way. We can often be our own biggest obstacles.

I start with a simple design, and from there, the ideas begin to flow. The key is to keep going and finish what you start. Whether it’s a sketch, a design, or an idea, bring it to life.

What are you learning now to stay innovative? Why is that important?

I’ve learned that my secret sauce is being myself. I stay innovative by looking within and staying true to what I feel inspired to create.

We are all part of a collective creative consciousness, but there is only one YOU. As long as I continue to embrace who I am and don’t try to be someone else, I can continue to create and innovate.

What advice would you give to someone who is venturing into entrepreneurship? Write your mission statement. Write down your business intention. It becomes the GPS for your business, guiding where you want to go, how you'll get there, and what it will take to make it happen. Without a plan, it's much harder to stay focused on your goals.

ILAMENTS nameplate. *Photo by* *Vanessa Gonzalez*

Most importantly, make sure it's something that brings you joy. Entrepreneurship is about following your dreams and seeing your ideas through to completion. But you also have to be patient. A flower doesn't bloom overnight—it needs good soil, sunshine, and water.Your business is no different. Trust the process, stay consistent, and be patient.

What are some personal or business goals you have for the future?

I want to leave a legacy through ilaments. My goal is for my jewelry to give back by helping fund microloans for other entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for people to build their own dreams.

I have an even bigger vision that will require an investor—or a lot of investors! So, if you know anyone who wants to tap into the trillion-dollar Latina market, send them my way. I'd love to start the conversation.

How has entrepreneurship changed in the last 20 years?
Entrepreneurship has changed drastically over the last twenty years. We’ve gone from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to the decline of malls and the rise of e-commerce. Consumers now shop directly from their mobile devices, and the days of needing a credit card machine to charge for services are a thing of the past. Today, a simple Venmo or Zelle QR code can make a transaction happen.

Technology has transformed the way we do business in so many ways. But for a creative entrepreneur like myself, it has also created more opportunities than ever before to bring visions and dreams to life.

What does it mean to be a Queen?
A Queen is someone who stands in her own truth, knows who she is, and claims it like her birthright. Yet always remembers who she is representing, first herself, and then being an example to others.

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