Meet Celia Reyes Morales: Raíces de Colores, owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Celia Reyes Morales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Celia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I love Mexico and its bright colors, every time I get a chance to visit I come back home with unique items such as clothing and huaraches. I’d get many compliments from family & friends about the items. It only made sense to find a way to bring leather huaraches, clothing and handbags for everyone. After meeting several vendors & getting to know more about their work I realized this was a great opportunity for them too. That is how Raices de Colores or colorful roots was born. Its mission is to show how traditional pieces can be worn with our daily wardrobe while also giving back to the artisan and the true artists who make the items.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We are Raices de Colores or colorful roots. Our name represents our culture and the vibrant colors of Mexico, but it also represents my heritage. I am Mexican-American in love with my culture and want to share a piece of my roots to the world by bringing the beauty of artisan work. Raices de Colores offers modern huaraches made of out premium leather by artisan hands. We pride ourselves in working with artisan families that sustain their livelihood from making these pieces of art. Each pair of huaraches or woven sandals are assembled by hand from curating the leather, to weaving and polishing the huarache; artisan hands take all the credit. I’m very proud to display how traditional pieces can be part of our everyday wardrobe while also being comfortable and fashionable. We focus on bringing a variety of styles that can fit everyone’s likes. Raices de Colores turns 4 this year and it seems like it was just yesterday that I ventured into this small business that started as a hobby and now it has flourished to a little more. At the time I decided to start this business I was a first-time mom with a 5-month-old at the time and working full time. I’m thankful to my husband, my number one supporter for encouraging me to not think about it too much and just go for it.  I’m also very thankful to my village for being so supportive and always being there to take care of my son when I’m vending. Starting a small business is not as easy and I thought it would be but being out there in the markets is something I look forward to doing on the weekends and that makes me happy. Grateful to all my vendor friends I’ve met along the way and to the market hosts for giving my small business an opportunity to participate in your events. Through vending I’ve gotten to meet so many amazing fellow vendors, creatives and artists. Most importantly to all the customers I’ve met along the way your support means a lot more than you know. Thank you for following my social media, showing up at the markets and recommending my products to your family and friends. Lessons I’ve learned throughout the way is that you are your own competition. Shout out to everyone who is confident enough to know that success is not one size fits all and there is room for everyone to win. We just need to stay focused on our goals, keep going, and have fun along the way.  What I want people to know about my brand is that you can incorporate modern huaraches to your everyday wardrobe while knowing that you are also supporting artisan work and being fashionable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is a fun city to visit, you can do so many things and one week is not enough to discover all the gems the city has to offer. Best places to take my friends visiting would be the Museum of Natural Science, walk around Hermann Park, and go check out the zoo. From there we’d go eat at the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation and sip on a margarita. Other must-see spots would be a day trip to Galveston; walk around the sea wall, rent a bike and ride along the sea wall. After our little adventure we will go to The Spot, sit on the patio and enjoy the ocean view. Another must do is to go bat watching at the Waugh bridge, not before going for a walk around the Buffalo Bayou park and enjoy the beautiful downtown view. From there we will head out to east downtown and get a drink at Truck Yard or enjoy a beer at 8th Wonder Brewery. Another day we’ll make it to Northside Houston where I grew up and get tacos from a taco stand along Airline Drive then stop by Flamingo Chill for a snow cone and elote. Once the weekend comes and if it’s the second Saturday of the month we’ll go for coffee at A 2nd Cup on E. 11th street in the Heights and check out the amazing vendors they host at the 11th Street Market. Sunday we’ll go for brunch at Cuchara Restaurant in the heart of Montrose and hope they are hosting a market or event.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shout-out to my husband, my partner for going along with my ideas and supporting me every step of the way.  It’s my business but he’s the backbone of it.  A big thank you to my family-my mom, sister, mother in law for taking care of my son while I attend these events. So thankful to all the amazing vendors I’ve met along the way and market hosts for giving my shop an opportunity to participate in your events. And a huge thank you to all my past, current and future customers who have come across Raices de Colores, thank you for your trust and for choosing my small shop. Your support means a lot every like, share and comment is greatly appreciated. Mil Gracias!

Instagram: @Raices_de_Colores_Hou

Facebook: @raicesdecolores

Image Credits
Credits to Raices de Colores