Alicia Sanchez, Owner of Felicita & Faustina
Grace Gavilanes: Tell us about the road to starting your very own handmade and upcycled shop. Was this always your goal?
Alicia Sanchez: Starting Felicita & Faustina came over me like a lingering shiver — I couldn’t shake it. I’ve always been an entrepreneur in some way, but this passion project completely took over because it was dedicated to both of my grandmothers. My goal has always been simple: every time someone asks, “Where did you learn that?” or “How do you know that?” or “Why do you love that?” — my answer is always my mom or my grandmothers. It’s like an ingrained response, a piece of them woven into everything I do.
GG: What advice would you give someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
AS: Stop listening to people who only talk and don’t walk the walk. And even some who do walk will lay out every negative like a deck of dominos — don’t let that stop you. Go with your heart. What do you really have to lose? Yes, be smart financially, but starting isn’t some grand gesture — it’s just doing one thing every day that moves you forward.
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life? (Please brag! We don’t do it enough.)
AS: Last year, I was featured in a commercial with Disney and LEGO to represent creativity and crafts through the Encanto collection and new movie. Even saying it out loud makes me shy, but here’s the thing — I’m not an actress, I’m not a celebrity. I was just me — a loud, proud Dominican with a passion for creativity.
But honestly? An even bigger accomplishment than that is teaching my 5-year-old daughter how to sew and watching her eyes light up when she creates something with her hands. That moment means everything because time is the most valuable currency. Inspiring her with the gift of creativity? That’s a legacy.
GG: Hustle culture and burnout are so prominent in our community. How do you make sure to take care of yourself first?
AS: I wish I had the perfect answer to this, but I don’t want to be a hypocrite — I struggle with this. Hustle culture is ingrained in me. As a daughter of immigrants, I’ve always carried this deep understanding of everything my parents did to give us a future. But the modern mom in me is like, no — burnout leads to consequences that aren’t just temporary. My daughter is actually the one teaching me to take pauses. I truly believe we need to create rituals to reprogram ourselves to rest.
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
AS: Oh, imposter syndrome? Yeah, just had it two minutes ago. Probably 745,672 times in the last 24 hours. I’m incredibly confident in what I stand for, but that little girl in me creeps up sometimes.
Here’s what I do: I find a mirror — any mirror. I even keep one in my purse. I look into my eyes because they’re the heart of my soul. You can hide from the world, but you can’t hide from yourself. I stare, I let the emotions rise, and I remind myself: It’s me against me. Those thoughts? They’re not real. I am enough. I am brilliant. Soy bella y no gorda. Tengo pelo hermoso!
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
AS: Oh my God, I love this question. Being Latina means being the flower that grows in every element — through storms, through sunshine, through every season. It means being enveloped in my culture, my roots, my ancestors. It’s the way we move, the way we love, the way we fight for joy. Being Latina is a story written in rhythm, resilience, and relentless pride. It’s everything, like my mangu is to my morir soñando!
Felicita Sanchez & Faustina Pichardo, Alicia Sanchez’s grandmothers
