15-04-2024
On the occasion of Entrepreneurship Day, which is celebrated today, we wanted to tell you a little more about Elena's story and take advantage of the day to bring together different female entrepreneurs with whom we share some values.
Elena Peña is a hard-working, perfectionist, dreamer and romantic entrepreneur from Madrid, who combines her passion for animals, nature and the world of shoes and bags, in that order.
Her brand, Micuir, unites these passions through ecofriendly fashion that prioritizes environmental care and social responsibility.
Elena's passion for fashion began about 15 years ago when she worked in renowned companies such as Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, where she learned the importance of perseverance to achieve her goals, experiences that have led her to apply what she learned in her own company.
THE BEGINNINGS OF MICUIR
When Elena Peña created Micuir, it came from the need to fly alone, to feel free, to trust her own instinct and criteria, and from the desire to create unique designs, her own, that she could not find in the market and that reflected the traditions and arts of the past of the Spanish master craftsmen.
When she started with Micuir she thought of creating a design that would not leave anyone indifferent, different boots, studded ankle boots, black ankle boots until the design of the iconic Punky Boots, a closet staple that she loved.
As time went by, she decided to expand the product line with guest shoes and heeled sandals. Seeing the incredible reception he got, seeing that there was a great demand in this segment, he decided to launch bridal shoes.
ENTREPRENEURS AND FRIENDS
María Santos, Andrea and María Gálvez share their vision on entrepreneurship, offering advice and reflections for women who want to start their own projects. As close friends of Elena's and having known her since her beginnings, they share their perspective on what Elena and Micuir represent as an entrepreneur and company.
Maria Santos
Entrepreneurial woman who founded her interior architecture studio María Santos in 2015 after graduating from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, where she discovered her true passion for design after initially studying law through family tradition.
What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
"For me it's like having another child; it involves a lot of effort and sacrifice, but at the same time it represents a great reward, something really nice"
An advice for all entrepreneurial women?
"They shouldn't demand too much of themselves or be too hard on themselves. Especially mothers spend all day feeling bad about not being everywhere and not being able to do everything. Be a little more relaxed and compassionate with ourselves."
What do you value about Elena's trajectory as founder of Micuir?
"I knew Elena from the beginning, when she was just starting out and didn't have a store yet. I have seen her grow, become a mother, and I value enormously how she has done it. She has incredible merit for the way she's handled everything, and I'm especially impressed by the change she's experienced from her first child to her second, handling it in a much more relaxed way. I think that's really good."
Your favorite Micuir design is?
"I love all the shoes, but these embroidered ones are really spectacular and very comfortable! Even though I'm wearing heels, it's very comfortable.
Andrea Rochera
After ten years in the bridal sector, Andrea, together with Laura decided to start and found Fit for Weddings in 2015 due to their passion for weddings and events. They enjoy being loyal advisors, taking care of every detail and coordinating everything to make the day perfect, turning the couples' effort into a success that represents their greatest reward.
What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
"For me, entrepreneurship is more than just a job; it is a lifestyle where I put my creativity at the service of others to make their dreams come true"
An advice for all entrepreneurial women?
"It is crucial that they take care of themselves, as their wellbeing is their greatest asset. That they do not abandon themselves, because when they are well with themselves, they can perform better both with clients and with their business"
What do you value about Elena's trajectory as founder of Micuir?
"Elena is an admirable person and I greatly value her closeness, since Micuir feels like a big family in which we all feel part of. I also greatly appreciate her professionalism, as I know she takes meticulous care of her quality standards in both products and designs. This is what makes Micuir the value and quality that it is."
Your favorite Micuir design is?
"My favorite sandals are the Genara Coco Black. I think they are ideal for all types of events, whether as a wedding guest or attending other events. They have the perfect heel height and are extremely comfortable. In my day to day, I usually opt for a more casual style, and my favorites without a doubt are the Punky Boots. I find them very stylish and consider them a true icon of the brand."
Maria Galvez
María Galvez, known as Goutdhestia on social media, has always had a strong passion for food and the table. Despite her background in Business Studies and her work in digital business, she decided to follow her love for gastronomy and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. She is now dedicated to her brand, Goutdhestia, which reflects her love for good culinary taste.
What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
"For me, entrepreneurship means being brave. It involves risking everything: your family, your self-esteem, your security and your career. That's why, when I am asked about entrepreneurship, I think the key word is "courage."
Advice for all women entrepreneurs?
"It is important to be authentic and not be influenced by the opinions of others. They must follow their own path and trust their intuition"
What do you value about Elena's trajectory as founder of Micuir?
"I met Elena from the beginning, when she was just starting out and didn't have a store yet. I have seen her grow, become a mother, and I value enormously how she has done it. She has incredible merit for the way she's handled everything, and I'm especially impressed by the change she's experienced from her first child to her second, handling it in a much more relaxed way. I think that's really cool."
Your favorite Micuir design is?
"The iconic Esclavas are my favorite; I already have a pair in black and would love to have them in blue and white as well. They are ideal and super comfortable."
