Preserving Cultural Heritage With Eye-Catching Fashion
Ana Maria Torres is proving that you can profit while also making positive impact
Ana Maria Torres is the co-founder of Hilo Sagrado, a social business that promotes the preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable development through women’s empowerment and ethical trade. She is also a Board Member of the Hilo Sagrado Foundation, a Fellowship 500 member of the Ethical Fashion Forum in London that recognizes top global pioneers and innovators who promote ethical trade and sustainable fashion.
What was your biggest discovery in 2017?
The power of ideas. When ideas are shared with the right audience, they can become reality.
What hurdles did you face in 2017, and how did you navigate them?
Our startup grew so rapidly that we lacked the financial investment to move it forward exactly how we would have liked. So, now we’re searching for investors and are surrounding ourselves with experts who can help us make the right decisions in the future.
What is getting you pumped up for 2018?
We are scaling our business and impacting more people’s lives. I’m very excited to see where 2018 will take us!
When you’re not thinking about business, what occupies your daydreams?
As a mother and social good entrepreneur, I’m always thinking of ways we can create a more inclusive and sustainable planet. It’s for this reason that I always look for ways to support the efforts of other entrepreneurs that are making small changes with greater impact.
What would be in your “entrepreneurship” emergency kit?
- My supportive community of family, friends and fellow entrepreneurs.
- My favorite online resources, like helloalice.com.
- Nature — it’s my source of inspiration.
- Coffee because it helps me to keep going on long days.
