Meet Eliana Valdes | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eliana Valdes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eliana, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’m a philanthropist by nature and am looking for new and creative ways to contribute in service. Trocadero 1903 came to life as I dreamt of developing an eco-friendly project in NYC. One that not only impacts our community but the world. As a parent and grandparent, I often think about the future of our planet and how we as a society are shaping it.

Trocadero 1903s purpose is to contribute to the sustainability of our global environment, by recycling and reusing glass bottles to make durable and high quality glassware, with unique designs and craftsmanship. Our glasses are handmade with 100% recycled glass; in the process we are creating jobs and developing new and creative ways to help our environment. A percentage of our earnings go to children and families that are in need of clean water in African countries and other vulnerable areas around the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I actually have dyslexia so reading and writing hasn’t always come easily to me. However, I’ve always been able to express myself through my creations. I love creating and being creative. I love decorating; Anything from designing a room, to selecting pieces of furniture and experimenting with different styles and prints. I am able to be in the process when creating glassware as well. Although the process is not easy to create the glassware as it starts with cleaning the bottles, cutting them to size and shining the edges, and it’s all handmade!

I love it because I create something that everybody can enjoy and use. Whether it’s a drinking glass, a vase or a candle -I’m so touched when I receive messages about how much these products are being enjoyed by others. To be able to create something and impact people’s experiences and by extension, the health of the planet is something I feel very blessed to be able to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take her outside of the city. A lot of people who travel to this city and the way that it’s marketed in tourism is that New York is just concrete. However, once we venture outside of the city, you’ll find that there is so much green. Whether you go upstate, to Hudson Valley or even some parts of Long Island, the nature we have is so beautiful outside of the city, and even in some parts of the city too.

In terms of where to eat, Brooklyn has some awesome spots like Shelter and Juliette which I love going to for brunch and dinner and in the city, I love the food at Chelsea Market and Eataly. And of course, if you’re in New York City, we have to go enjoy a rooftop bar somewhere that’s affordable. I love the rooftop at Hotel 1 in Brooklyn called Harriets Rooftop. Beautiful views of the New York City skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The people I would have to give a shoutout to is my family, particularly, my grandmother. She grew up in the south of Chile and later travelled to Concon through horseback, which took 5 hours. When she arrived in this town, there were very little facilities and resources for the growing community. She started a hotel and restaurant in the area, named Trocadero (which is what I have named my company after), and it’s success was shared with the local churches, schools and community. It’s her philanthropic spirit that I still aspire to today and remains very present in the fabric of my company.

Website: https://www.trocaderomarket.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/trocadero1903