She created a design to live

Some people really have difficulty finding out what they want to do with their lives. It is not easy to find your ideal career path.

Erika Peña is not one of these people.

Peña, who became an early age who became a fashion and jewelry designer, had a feeling for her dream job. When she was about four years old, she knew that her life was called. She could even imagine what kind of clothing she should create.

“I wanted to design resort clothing, but at this age I didn't know what it says,” says Peña, whose designs were worn by Beyoncé, Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton and are known for their diaphanic hand-held clothes with voluminous sleeves that seem to be built for swirling. “I just thought of designing vacation outfits. And I imagined what these ladies would carry to fabulous parties.”

When she was five years old, she concentrated on her craft that she would outline models on her brother's index cards. “I took his circular ruler and drew these little models that I named after my friend from school,” says Peña in Bali. “I imagined how I would dress them and where they would go in these fabulous clothes,” she says. “I think it was only I was fantasy. And Bali was one of the dreams where I visited these women. It's pretty funny because I lived there. Bali is such a spiritual, peaceful and creative place. It is a really refuge for me.”

Peña was born in Puerto Rico as the son of Dominican parents and had had in Florida since the age of three. When she was 18, she studied fashion design at the Parsons Design School. After working for several designers, she was thrown into the sales part of the industry and opened a showroom in New York City. She sold her friends' designs. “It really fascinated me and seemed so fascinating,” says Peña. “It was still fashion, but another facet.”

But ultimately her passion for the creation of great ways. “I always create in my head as a designer and literally had a revelation,” she says. “I looked at my living room lamp, which contained Nautilus mussels from Bali and designed my first earrings. So I started designing jewelry.” (In 2012 Beyoncé wore her earrings by Obama Hoop, who were very popular.)

After a very difficult divorce, she stopped designing. “I had to take a break from everything and back together with myself as a designer, but with Erika, the person, apart from their career,” says Peña. “During this time when I looked at my inside, I became back into designing and creating parts that I love for myself.”

Inspired by what she was wearing, people stopped them on the street and asked where they could buy their clothes. In 2012 she started her Resort Weary brand and moved in Bali. Not only does it have her flowering fashion and jewelry line that is sold worldwide, she also has four Erika Peña boutiques in Bali.

The creation of fashion, which ultimately uses Peña 100% cotton fabrics from natural fibers. Your clothes can use between 49 and 55 feet fabric and take about two to three days. “My fabrics feel good on the skin, do not harm the planet and still look fabulous,” she says. “It's a work of love.”

Jeryl Brunner: Was there a point where you said you really did it?

Erika Peña: I will probably never say that I made it fully. In my thoughts it feels like an endless persecution. But I have the feeling that Wow, I touched so many life. I love it when I see a person on the street that my dress is wearing. I think when Beyoncé was wearing my pieces and thanked me on her album. I remember how I saw a woman on the street in Paris, who looked absolutely breathtaking when I wear my dress. That really touches my heart and feel very proud and completed.

Brunner: You talked about how you honor the people who work with them. What are some things you offer you?

Peña: I think your employees are the limbs of your brand. They are the ones who carry them from place to place. So it is important that you take care of your team and your employees. In our company we offer fully paid insurance companies and taxes and pay for the minimum wage. As far as personal growth is concerned, we offer English lessons and management courses so that the employees can develop and grow their career.

We also have annual reviews in which our employees can receive increases. We have a five -year loyalty program in which we buy our employees a vehicle with the brand logo to thank our companies for staying and working in our companies. We believe that loyalty should always be rewarded.

Brunner: So many people have the dream of creating something like a clothing line, but they don't have the resources or self -confidence. What would you recommend?

Peña: Catch small. A design and one step by step. And let it grow organically. Start researching and learning and learning the most what you can do. If you are young, it is always important to do internships with companies that you admire – one day you want to have a similar company. You can really learn from these internships. And this helps to build relationships and a possible mentor. So if you are ready to start your company, there is always someone to help you.