Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristy Hill.
Hi Cristy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Story Behind Latin American Boutique
Latin American Boutique started with a simple idea: my husband Frank and I wanted to build something of our own that would allow us to spend more time with our family while sharing something we both cared deeply about: Latin American culture and handmade craftsmanship.
I was born and raised in Ecuador, where handmade textiles, colorful clothing, and traditional crafts were part of the culture I grew up around. Many of these techniques have been passed down through generations, and I always felt that the people and traditions behind these pieces deserved to be seen and appreciated.
When we started the business, our oldest son, Frankie, was only 11 months old. We wanted to create a life where our children could grow alongside us rather than building a business that kept us away from them.
Our first market was the Ybor City Saturday Market on April 13th, 2013. We had a tent, two tables, a few pairs of handmade earrings, some vegetable ivory bracelets, and a small selection of clothing. That was it.
I remember being very nervous. I had never sold anything before, and I was especially nervous about interacting with customers in another language. I wasn’t sure what to say or how to approach people. We were learning everything as we went.
But we showed up, set up our tables, and started talking to people.
That first market taught us that people were interested in what we offered, and it gave us the confidence to keep going. As we participated in more events, I became more comfortable talking with customers and telling them about the products and the artisans who made them.
In 2018, we expanded online and opened our Etsy shop. That allowed us to reach people beyond local markets and introduce our products to customers throughout the country and internationally.
Since that first market, we have participated in more than 1,000 markets and festivals throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond, including events in St. Petersburg, Dunedin, and Clearwater. We were also part of the Orlando Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola for 4 years.
The markets have become a huge part of our story. We have met thousands of people, built relationships with returning customers, and had so many conversations about Latin American culture and the stories behind our products.
Growing the Business as a Family
Our children have grown up with the business.
They have come with us to markets, helped us set up our booth, and sometimes helped us make sales. They have seen what happens behind the scenes, from preparing inventory and loading the car to setting up tables and talking with customers.
They have also learned that entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a successful day.
There have been great markets, but there have also been slow ones. In 13 years, we have had only two events where we didn’t make a single sale. We’ve also had rain damage our products and cause losses.
Our children saw those moments, too.
Since COVID, we homeschooled them, so they were able to be even more involved in our everyday life and business. They saw us work through problems instead of giving up when things didn’t go as planned.
I think one of the greatest lessons they have learned is resilience. They understand that a bad day doesn’t mean the journey is over. You learn from it, you adjust, and you try again.
Why We Do What We Do
Latin American Boutique has never been only about selling clothing and accessories.
We want people to know something about the hands and traditions behind the products they purchase. Many of our pieces are handmade using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
One of my favorite things at a market is when someone stops because they love the colors or design of a piece, and we get to tell them where it came from and how it was made. You can see the way they look at the product differently once they understand the story behind it.
That connection is what makes this business meaningful to us.
We are proud to share a part of Latin American culture with people who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience it. At the same time, we are grateful to the artisans whose creativity and traditions make this business possible.
Looking Back
Sometimes I think about that first day at Ybor City. We had two tables, a handful of products, an 11-month-old baby, and very little idea of what we were getting ourselves into.
I was nervous about selling. I was nervous about speaking with customers. And I certainly didn’t imagine that those two tables would eventually lead to more than 1,000 markets and festivals and an online business that would reach customers across the country.
There have been difficult days along the way, but Frank and I have continued because we genuinely love what we do.
For me, the most rewarding part isn’t simply seeing the business grow. It is knowing that we have created something our children have been able to experience with us, while staying connected to the culture and traditions that inspired us in the first place.
Latin American Boutique has become a bridge between my childhood in Ecuador and the life we have built here in Florida. It has connected us with artisans, customers, families, and communities that we might never have met otherwise.
What started as a small family business has become a journey that we are very proud of.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but honestly, I wouldn’t change the experience because I’ve learned so much along the way.
One of the biggest challenges with doing markets and festivals is that you can’t control the weather. Rain and strong winds can make things very difficult. We’ve had products get wet, and there have been times when an event was canceled after we had already paid our vendor fee. Sometimes events are postponed, which helps, but other times you simply lose that money.
Another challenge is that you never really know how an event is going to perform. Sometimes organizers advertise a huge crowd, and you arrive expecting a great sales day, only to find that the turnout isn’t what you expected. There have been events where we barely made our vendor fee back, and we’ve had a few where we made only two sales.
But I try not to look at those experiences as failures. They taught me how to make better decisions.
For example, I’ve learned to pay much more attention to when and where I apply. During the summer, I try to avoid night markets because we’ve learned that the chance of rain can be much higher. Before applying to an event, I do my homework. I look at how long the event has been running, the turnout from previous years, the type of vendors they attract, and whether the event seems like a good fit for our products.
After 13 years in business, I still don’t get every decision right, but I know much more now than I did when we started.
I think that’s one of the realities of being an entrepreneur. You don’t learn everything from the good days. Some of the most valuable lessons come from the days when things don’t go the way you hoped.
We’ve had rain, canceled events, slow markets, and plenty of unexpected challenges, but we keep learning and moving forward. We love what we do, and that’s what keeps us going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Latin American Boutique?
Latin American Boutique is a family-owned business based in Florida, founded by my husband, Frank, and me 13 years ago. What started as a small business with two tables at a local market has grown into an online and in-person business that connects customers across the United States with handmade products inspired by Latin American culture.
At the heart of what we do is our relationship with artisans from Latin American countries, including Ecuador and Peru. We are proud to help bring their craftsmanship to American customers who may never otherwise have the opportunity to see or purchase these pieces.
I was born and raised in Ecuador, so this connection is very personal to me. The colors, textiles, patterns, and handmade traditions are part of the culture I grew up with. Being able to share that part of my background through our business is something I am very proud of.
We offer a variety of handmade and artisan-made clothing and accessories, but we are especially known for our boho headbands and children’s beanie hats. We love products that are colorful, comfortable, unique, and have a story behind them.
What sets us apart is that we don’t want our products to feel like just another item on a shelf. We want customers to know where their products come from and appreciate the craftsmanship and traditions behind them. When we are at a market, we have the opportunity to talk directly with our customers and share those stories, which makes the experience very personal.
We are also proud that we have been able to grow while remaining a family business. Our three children have grown up around Latin American Boutique. They have come to markets with us, helped set up our booth, and experienced both the exciting and difficult sides of running a business.
After 13 years, I am most proud of the relationships we have built. We have participated in markets and festivals in many different communities throughout Florida, and we have customers who continue to come back and support us. We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful reviews and kind words we receive both online and from customers we meet in person.
I am also proud that we have stayed true to the original reason we started this business. We wanted to create something that allowed us to be present for our family while building something we genuinely love.
There are many places where people can buy clothing and accessories, but we want Latin American Boutique to be remembered for the people and stories behind the products. We are proud to be a small family business that creates a connection between Latin American artisans and American customers while sharing a culture that is very close to our hearts.
After 13 years, we are still learning, still growing, and still excited about what comes next.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
One of the things I love most about living in the Tampa Bay area is how much people support small businesses. Because we do so many markets and festivals, we get to see that support firsthand. People are curious about what we sell; they ask questions about our products, and many customers come back to see us at different events. That support has allowed us to continue doing what we love for the past 13 years.
I also love how much nature we have around us. There are so many beaches, parks, rivers, springs, and outdoor spaces where we can spend time as a family. We enjoy getting outside, especially canoeing and exploring the natural areas around Florida. Having that balance between a growing community and access to nature is something I really appreciate.
If I had to choose something I like least, it would definitely be the traffic. After spending so much time traveling to markets and festivals throughout the Tampa Bay area, I have experienced my fair share of it! But even with the traffic, I feel very fortunate to live and run our family business here.
Pricing:
- Headbands $15
- Beanie hats $25
- Bracelets $5
- White Cotton dresses $45
- Ponchos $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LatinAmericanBoutiq
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinamericanboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latinamericanboutique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@latinamericanboutique
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@latinamericanboutique
