Mi Vida is a lifestyle brand, retail shop, and community space located in Highland Park that hosts poetry readings, meditation workshops, and art exhibitions. The retailer was established in 2008 (note: two years before Instagram) and provides the surrounding community a shopping experience that fuses lifestyle and cultural identity into fashion and art, drawing inspiration from street murals, cholo graffiti, and religious motifs. "I always say I am a true LA girl, a beautiful blend of everything at our fingertips! My style has evolved over the years, but it always has cultura as the main ingredient."

Mi Vida has operated as a storefront for twelve years, and before that, as a local vendor around Los Angeles. With deep community roots, Mi Vida has been at its current Highland Park location for nine years after moving from its first store in South Pasadena. Plus, in those twelve years, Mi Vida has showcased over 100 shows with local artists. "I’ve curated some amazing exhibitions that highlight the talent within our community, and we've given many artists their first solo show. We mainly focus on Chicano art in all mediums; however, our events are not only limited to artwork; we offer community workshops, poetry, speakers, and share our space with handmade crafters selling their products."

Then COVID-19 hit, and California proclaimed to be in a "state of emergency. The shutdown forced the closure of brick-and-mortar businesses, and retailers like Mi Vida had to reexamine how to navigate forward during an ever-evolving global pandemic while sustaining connection to their community.

Husband and Wife, Noelle and Dominic | Photo by Vanessa Gonzalez Photography

Mi Vida: Roots And Purpose

Mi Vida is an art community space that has become a Chicano lifestyle hub. I say Chicano because fourteen years ago, there were only a few vending based businesses with this cultural aesthetic. We created our retail space to provide our Los Angeles community a shopping experience that was curated just for them. This journey started before social media and the surge of Latinx businesses. Mi Vida isn't a just brand, but a lifestyle.

Our longevity and social media presence has taken our local retail shop and gallery to a broader audience. Now, our culturally influenced apparel is available to communities across the United States that aspire to experience the Mi Vida lifestyle.

The challenges of e-commerce business before Covid-19

With the growth of online businesses, the learning curve for a brick and mortar business like ours is tremendous. About four years ago, we carved out time to revamp our website and become a fully functional online shop. Additionally, we had to logistically plan how to accommodate both our local business and online customer base. The update helped expand our online store, and pushed us as artists and designers to develop products that met the demands of our culturally conscious consumers.

Pivoting in the wake of COVID-19

Covid-19 has put the word the BALANCE at the forefront. This adverse situation has been a catalyst for another reinvention of MI VIDA. Overnight, we switched to an online-only business model and lost face-to-face contact with our customers in Los Angeles, San Diego, Northern California, and Arizona. I've learned from both street savvy and book smart minds; therefore, risk never seems scary. At the moment, we are feeling inspired to create new experiences for our followers, and since there is more time in our workshop, we're putting out new products from a very creative direction and loving it!

Growth as an entrepreneur during a pandemic

The loss of face-to-face contact pushed us to use social media in a way we hadn't done before. It encouraged me to become more comfortable speaking to an audience via social media. Also, it helped us to break our behind the curtain mentality.

Even though we've used Instagram as an advertising platform for the last eight years, we did not use it on a personal level. Coming out of our shell to connect with our 96K followers, has been healing and is always our priority as a business. Mi Vida has been and will always be a cultural source of inspiration, and no pandemic was going to stop us!

What does community look like in 2020 for Mi Vida

In 2020, community is about strengthening those ties and resources within. It’s keeping togetherness at the forefront instead of the forceful divide being imposed due to the pandemic. Therefore, we are taking the risk of venturing into "socially distancing" events because we love to inspire and heal at Mi Vida.

We will continue to partner with other businesses and artists that share our vision. Use our creative energy to cultivate a healthy spirit through pop-ups, installations, live DJs, live paintings, and events that will continue to uplift our community during these challenging times. It heals us and, in turn, heals our community.

As we approach the final months of the year, months filled with holiday celebrations, Mi Vida will expand ways to maintain our community engaged. So, tapping into virtual offerings will become a standard way to reach those close and far safer. Stay tuned!

On being a Queen

Diosas stay high! Putting everyone before myself with grace is how I roll. Being able to serve my higher purpose in my community is everything. Offering inspiration and light brings so much joy.

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