We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Claudia Botero. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Claudia below.

Claudia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience comes from my father. He was an entrepreneur who showed me, through his actions, what true determination looks like. I remember him waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning to sell tools and hardware at flea markets when he was just starting out. It wasn’t glamorous, and it wasn’t easy, but he never gave up. Little by little, through his persistence and vision, he was able to open his own brick-and-mortar shop. That journey left an indelible mark on me. His advice was simple but powerful: “If you start something, continue. Never give up until you achieve it.”

From him, I inherited not only a work ethic but also the understanding that resilience is built one day at a time. It’s about waking up early, showing up, and continuing forward even when success feels far away.

For me, resilience also comes from passion and love for what I do. Those are the motivators that keep you going when the road feels uncertain. Leaving a successful career in journalism to start CB Designs was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I found something that filled my soul with joy and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. That happiness is what fuels me to keep pushing, to adapt, and to believe that no dream is too big.

I truly believe resilience is born from love—love for your craft, your mission, and the people you serve. My father’s example taught me that with hard work, faith, and perseverance, you can turn even the smallest beginnings into something lasting and meaningful.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the founder of CB Designs, a resort-style fashion brand of bags and accessories handcrafted by artisans from Colombia, my home country. Most of the women I work with are Indigenous artisans, and through our collaboration I feel proud to showcase their incredible talent while also helping to keep their cultural traditions alive. Every piece is more than just a product—it carries a story, a heritage, and an opportunity for these women and their families.

Before starting CB Designs, I spent over 25 years as a TV anchor and investigative reporter, giving a voice to those who needed it most. Today, I feel I’m helping in a new way—by empowering artisans and connecting cultures through design. One of the most rewarding parts has been creating my own designs and watching them come to life, then seeing the joy they bring to customers who wear them with pride.

For me, CB Designs is more than a brand. It’s a bridge between tradition and modern style, between Colombia and the world, and between creativity and purpose. I’d love to invite readers to discover our collection at claudiaboterodesigns.com or join our community on Instagram @CB_claudiabotero.