What if the secret to growth isn’t chasing the next trend—but carrying a dream with enough grit to outlast them? In this episode, Adriana Castro shares how she turned Colombian craftsmanship and business discipline into a timeless accessories brand. Leaving a safe corporate path for design school, she transformed professors into mentors and built her first collection—and its production—from the ground up in Barranquilla. Adriana breaks down her hybrid strategy of pairing indigenous natural fibers with noble, long-lasting materials, and how stewardship programs like “certificates of adoption” can give accessories deeper meaning and legacy.

The conversation gets real about pricing, margins, and the danger of designing aspirationally without scale. Adriana opens up about balancing passion projects with profitability, identifying her true customer through data, and letting hero products carry the brand. From Sarah Jessica Parker rewearing the Eva Clutch to navigating the mental health side of entrepreneurship, Adriana’s story is both grounded and inspiring—a reminder that longevity comes from clarity, consistency, and care.

💡 Key Takeaways:

1. Design with Purpose: Pair heritage craftsmanship with modern functionality to create lasting relevance.
   
   
   
2. Price with Precision: Know your costs, protect your margins, and let data—not ego—guide decisions.
   
   
   
3. Sustain the Maker: Longevity in business starts with valuing the people and energy behind every piece.
   
   
   

👤 Our Guest:

Adriana Castro is the founder and creative director of Adriana Castro, a Colombian luxury accessories brand celebrated for its craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and timeless design. Her work bridges artistry and entrepreneurship, honoring her heritage while redefining what it means to build a brand with purpose and endurance.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenth

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