Andrea Sarmiento's business, which involves crafting purses and necklaces from recycled aluminum pull tabs, is doing exceptionally well. Andrea operates her DeLata product both locally and nationally from her headquarters in Brunswick Heads, Lismore News reported.
On April 16, she attended the Ballina RSL Club's MySmallBiz Expo hosted by the Enterprise and Training Company (ETC). Andrea, who is originally from Colombia, is passionate about emerging trends in the apparel business as well as sustainable fashion. Her primary source of income is the exchange of designs and concepts with a group of fourteen Colombian single mothers. It encourages the creation of crafts and gives women the resources they need to preserve and exhibit their cultural heritage.
The women are from Martires, a rural, impoverished neighborhood of Bogota. Their ability to make art out of repurposed materials gives them the money they need to sustain their families and enhance their quality of life. Depending on emerging ideas and trends, Andrea co-designs the items and produces a collection at a time.
"I think people like innovation and how versatile we are," she stated. Everyone wants to know the backstory because it's a talking point. You can walk to any morning market with one on and take the same bag out to dinner that evening. I adore this unique product, and if I didn't think we were doing the right thing, I wouldn't be investing so much time in it. It keeps getting better—our newest collection is my favorite."
A necklace can cost $100 and a handbag can cost $340. After nearly four years of development, Andrea is now fully committed to expanding the company. She has experience in marketing, graphic design, and fashion photography.
"Although I started off doing it more as a side gig, I've been doing it full-time since August. The purpose of ETC's expo events is to facilitate networking among peers and industry professionals for new and small business owners."
Across regional locations, the MySmallBiz Expo features guest speakers who discuss both old and modern approaches to running a business. Visiting and local guest speakers shared their business operations and offered guidance and ideas throughout the Ballina event.
"The MySmallBiz Expos are part of ETC's commitment to supporting the growth and development of small businesses in the communities where we operate," Rachel Turner, the program manager, said. (It) benefits being part of a supportive and vibrant small business community." /BGNES