Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Gonzalez.
Hi Luisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2016, I created and began with ClassyLoft as I realized that it was hard to find dresses and modest clothing attire that were still considered “trendy” in stores. I started to play with the idea in my head until at last one day during May (2016), I named my store on Instagram. It all really started as a hobby in which I would dedicate a few hours a week, but as time went by and I started to notice that I would get more support I increases the time that I dedicated. Mid-year 2017, I had my third son, which after a few months of being born he was diagnosed with a deadly condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The doctors told us that other kids with this same condition could only live around three months, but if there was a chance of a longer life then he would live with a ventilator for the rest of his life. From that point on it was all a rollercoaster. In little time, we discovered that there was a treatment that was recently approved that would not only extend the years of life but would also help him regain the strength that he had lost. This medication had a price of almost 1 million in the first year, but we were able to find insurance that covered it all.
From that point on we spend many hours in the hospital, at medical appointments every week, therapies, and adjusting to our new life. I can’t describe with words the nightmare that my family went through both emotionally and physically. But even the hardest circumstance in my life did not prevent me from leaving my dreams behind. I kept giving it my all with the desire to continue growing my business. Even during the long weeks spent in the hospital, my husband would take everything I needed so I could continue to ship to all my supporters, the demand was high but so was my fire to respond to each and every one of them. I did think about quitting many times, and I would tell myself “you’re crazy, you have so much on your plate, forget about your business”. But regardless, I continued. In 2019, my son was stable and my business kept growing. I finally had more time and energy to focus and my focus was 100%. I was filled with so many ideas and the might to keep going regardless of all the obstacles.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Aside from my son’s diagnosis which was already a big life adjustment for my whole family, the pandemic came and shook everything up. Sales went down, my husband stopped working for many months, and my business was the main source of income. I did think that I was not able to do it, but thanks to God and all my supporters we made it throughout those difficult times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ClassyLoft?
ClassyLoft is a company based on values. We focus on helping women feel beautiful and secure regardless of shape and size, without the need of bringing attention to your body by showing too much skin. Nowadays, the focus and emphasis is put on the shape of a body, but that is not where your worth comes from. I firmly believe that the inward appearance reflects in how we speak, how we treat others, and how we dress. That is exactly what a classy woman is. The representation of modesty and femininity, respecting your body and God.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Our circumstances can have a day and night drastic change. Whether that is a health issue or a worldwide crisis like COVID. But if we are only looking to have the perfect circumstances to start or to fight for our dreams, it will never happen. If you have a dream, work for it. Things will get hard but that’s just part of the training it’s needed to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.classyloft.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classyloft/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classyloft
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hJmhT9_szDgtPEgGiXKmw/videos
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ClassyLoft/
