Conversations with Maria Valentina Santiago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Valentina Santiago.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ocean baby store used to be called Ocean trending store, where it sold a very wide variety of articles which covered the area of beauty, home and technology, where we did well but did not achieve the success that I wanted after a few months I found out that I was going to be a mother and that’s where I gave a 180 degree change to my life and my business, I wanted to launch a line of babies inspired by the baby that was about to come into my life, that’s why the name is now Ocean baby Store; We started our online store, we rely a lot on social networks, Instagram and Facebook; we expanded to Amazon and Walmart. We started with few products, the pioneers were non-toxic silicone plates and spoons, bamboo plates; We also added a line for newborns which has a welcome gift set and we also have hand-woven stuffed animals, gum scratchers, pacifier clips; and now we are about to launch a new line that I will tell you about very soon.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been an easy path at all since I made the decision to undertake, those obstacles have always been present that have made this a great experience. First, starting a business and being a mother are two experiences where each one has its level of difficulty, but it is not impossible, being a mother is beautiful and even more beautiful is managing your business and at the same time watching your baby grow, it is worth the hours of chaos.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am from Venezuela, six years ago I decided to emigrate to the United States, in Venezuela I was at the university, I was studying medical statistics, when the opportunity to come to this great country presented itself, I did it without hesitation. In this country after going through different jobs, starting with restaurants, factories, executive companies, and networking; I finally made the decision to go my own way and write my own story. My greatest pride has been understanding and learning from a new culture and seeing everything I have achieved in this time, I have learned and I have grown with each experience.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel that luck is subjective because even if things do not work out for us, we must see those failures as an experience, always believing that things did not happen is because better things will come; then we only have to try another path and change the strategy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oceanbabystore.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceaanbabystore/