Meet Susan Rangel Linares | Founder, Mother & Wife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Rangel Linares and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
College never was a dream for me, but owning a business was. The thought of one day creating something for myself was always the plan since I can remember. I knew I wanted to work in something I loved.

All I knew it would be something girly, in the fashion industry-a fashion boutique or start a brand from scratch.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a jewelry brand created by yours truly, a first generation Latina, with the intention of paying homage to my mother and our roots.

The name Coqueta has a nolstagic sense of comfort for us, Growing up my mom used the word “Coqueta” in a form of endearment or to express “how pretty we looked when we did our hair, wore cute outfits & put our jewelry on. Coquetas is a fun wordplay to describe “hoop earrings” in Spanish so it all tide in together so perfectly.

I think we have created a brand that stands out because we truly have made a connection with our community. We’re a small brand and that has given us the opportunity to share stories, to really share space with other women, & celebrate our upbringing with carefully chosen pieces of Jewelry. We’ve been witnesses to grand daughter’s buy for their grandmothers & young girls get their first pair of hoops with us. From our bangles to our vintage basket hoops; our pieces speak to our generation & those of the past which is truly special.

I launched this brand November 12, 2019 as a birthday gift to myself and a new mom to a 6 month old babygirl. Haha! Definitely a bold move. I kept thinking it was now or never. I invested the last of maternity check to launch and never looked back. We have grown SO much in the last 4 years. I didn’t have it all figured out then & truthfully don’t have it all figured out now but we keep going.

I think if I had to give one piece of advice is don’t be afraid to fail, to look a little foolish. No one starts as an expert.

I am truly humbled by this journey, what we are creating here & the community that supports me. It hasn’t been easy but we continue to put in the work slowly, day by day & that’s what I’m most proud of. I’m building a brand with intention and I am okay with whatever how long it takes. We will turn 5 this year & that’s something worth celebrating!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay this is a tough one, I’m definitely a girly girl but I’m taking you to the outdoor places because as much as I love people, I try to avoid super crowded places.

For starters & just comfort- I’d take you to breakfast to my favorite little diner in Los Feliz, called House of Pies. I’ve been going here for over 10 years.

Coffee run definitely 7 leaves (if we just need to grab n’ go) or if we’re taking a chill day we’d most likely try a local cafe (there’s a few here in East LA I’d love to try like Lilly’s Cafe.)

Our first outside trip would probably be the beach, probably Torrance Beach or White point beach it’s a great little walk to see crabs, shrimp, star fishes, sea life etc.

Second trip, The Huntington Japanese Garden, it’s beautiful.

I’d take you through the PCH & drive up to Topanga Canyon & down through the city.

Nicks cafe is a great outdoor spot, we can eat, chill, and just hangout if we want to.

If we were craving tacos that are quick & never misses, King Taco is always good.

If we wanted some delicious Mexican food, Tenampal in Boyle Heights. The chilaquiles are delicious!

But before you leave, I’m taking you to El Mercadito here in East LA. You just have to go. So many treats. It’s a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First & Foremost, God. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for his infinite grace over my life.
My husband Luis, who has held my hand & has supported me through & through-he has always encourages me to keep going & believes in me so much. My sister Ellie, she has been part of this journey from the beginning as my first model to being my safe keeper of ideas. My mom who continually shows up to pop ups with me for moral support & continues to pray over me & of course, My community of girls. They have kept this brand alive, support me, encourage me, show up for me. We have survived through a pandemic, pauses, rebranding, & everything in between. I am truly grateful for the community I’m part of – they’re family. Just to name a few, Ashley from Brown Girl Travels, Mimi Chacon, who has recommended us to every single girly she knows, Sara from SPR Aesthetics who was my model for years just because she believed in my brand so much. Cici from HerSocietyLa who also said yes to us when we first started, Angie who said yes to our first PR package. I mean i am truly truly grateful for my community. Couldn’t be here with out them 💓
I end my shoutout here & this one is special, for my two little girls Eliana & Eliza thank you for changing my life & inspiring me to dream bigger! Las amo chiquitas 💖

Website: https://Coquetacollective.com

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