I have always felt a strong connection to Guatemala and I knew that I wanted to give back to the community in some way. Growing up, I remember trips my family used to take to visit my grandfather. We would always go to the beautiful Lake Atitlan and spend the day swimming. In 2009, I took a trip back to Guatemala and visited that lake that I grew up loving. The lake was completely overrun with blue green algae; the water was so contaminated. I remember seeing a little girl trudging though the layer of toxic algae trying to collect water for her family to drink, cook with, and bathe in. It’s an image I will never forget. Every year, more people die from lack of clean water than from any other form of violence, including war. I knew I had to do something and as I walked through the vibrant marketplace in Guatemala a light bulb went off in my head. What if I took the traditional huarache sandals that I grew up wearing and made them more contemporary?
I started working with local artisans in Guatemala and was able to provide jobs for many of the women and a few men. It took awhile for me to gain the trust of the locals, but after many visits they finally have welcomed me into their community. With the proceeds from our huarache sandal sales, we are able to make donations to help provide clean drinking water for these children in Guatemala. The less time children spend collecting water, the more time they can spend in school. With more artisans being hired to craft Ix Style designs, the more locals will have the financial means to provide for their families and communities. My hope is to continue to grow my company, which will ultimately allow the mission of Ix Style to grow and make a powerful impact on the lives of those children living in Guatemala.