2020 has thrown a lot at us. And while we’re sitting here wondering just how much more we can take, there are some positives that have come about from so much hardship.

We’ve become more active politically. We are way more aware of germs. We have had the chance to step back and take a closer look at our lives, at our mentality, at what we’ve been taught. We are shopping smarter, and we have realized that often the strongest impression we can make is with the money we spend. 

I think that we’ve become a lot more weary of our conditioned need for instant-gratification and next-day delivery, and that too often the immediacy of purchases leads to a lack of consciousness about what we’re buying, why we’re buying it, and what it actually means for our lives and the world around us.

I want to know that the clothes and products that I’m spending my money on are doing more to help and less to hurt.

It was along this line of thinking that I happened to come across Claudia, the wonderful spirit behind Bajamar jewels. 

Claudia is from Puerto Rico but has made NYC her home for 10 years now. Through a decade-long experience in the fashion industry, she’s been proud to make a career out of helping to source different materials and textiles and truly getting to the core of what our clothing and accessories are made from.

And then the pandemic hit.

Furloughed from her job but also taking time to recognize her own frustration with the corporate world, Claudia began to think of what she would do if she had the time and the ability to start her own company, now that suddenly, she did.

As her heart is never too far from her seaside community in Puerto Rico, she was also devastated to see a country that has been suffering so much recently taking yet another hit financially from the pandemic- and all of this still ahead of hurricane season.

She began to brainstorm a company that would create sustainable jewelry and accessories that could also help to rebuild the ocean environment like those she’d seen destroyed in Puerto Rico. She imagined pieces inspired by the sea, made from materials that were ethically sourced.

And after many long nights of researching and learning, planning and designing, and more than a little hair-pulling, Bajamar was born.

I first met Claudia at a restaurant in North Greenpoint. Her brightness was a breath of fresh air amid a city hidden behind face masks and now ever-more hesitant interactions, and she was noticeably perfectly accessorized. 

After that initial meeting, I had a chance to sit down with her recently to learn more about how she was able to pivot her lifestyle from a career in fashion product development into an environmentally-conscious entrepreneur, what it has taken for her to build this side-hustle into a burgeoning business, and what she cares about most as the lead designer. 

Dive into the interview below.

Brooklyn, I’m Trying: When did you move to New York and what brought you to the city?

Bajamar: I moved here from Puerto Rico right after High School, which was almost 10 years ago. I moved here to go to college and went to FIT to study Fashion Merchandising, with a minor in Apparel Product Development. From there I was able to work for a huge manufacturer out of Asia, helping source materials for licensed goods for Victoria Secret, Reebok, Adidas, lots of large companies… until I was placed on furlough in March.

BIT: That probably wasn’t part of the plan, just like all of us.

BM: Yeah this whole year has been a surprise.

BIT: When you first moved here, what did you think you’d find here, and what did you actually find?

BM: That’s a funny question. I’ve always wanted to move to the city. When I was a model when I was 12 and when my Mom brought me here with my agent for the first time, I was blown away by it. It was my first time being in a big metropolitan city. I told my mom, “I’m going to go to college here,” and a few years later, I applied, got into FIT, came here to live and within about 2 hours I realized that I’m not a city girl at all. It was so loud, so dirty, and I missed the kindness and warmth I felt from people in Puerto Rico.

BIT: Do you still feel that way?

BM: I’ve kind of adapted. Now I’m used to it, even though it’s been a switch in the way I wanted to live. It was a whole new world for me. Even now 10 years later, I wouldn’t want to live here forever, but it’s a great place to grow up and get those amazing life experiences that you can’t have anywhere else.

BIT: How has where you live affected that?

BM: Brooklyn is a different story. People greet each other here. The only reason we had an interaction is because you spoke to me and we made a connection. That only happens in a small neighborhood like Greenpoint.

BIT: How do you define “hustle” throughout your career, and into this new venture?

BM: (laughing) I would say my entire career has been a hustle. I’m sure you can relate, having a background in fashion. I mean, the internship experience was insane, I came from a small university so it’s very competitive to get a job.

Now with Bajamar, every day is a hustle to the point that, to me, it’s exciting and also surprises me every time when I see the outcome. I go in every day with a mindset and with a goal, and sometimes it does happen but unfolds in ways that I didn’t expect it to happen. Things align in ways you never plan to, at the end of the road, you get to the same place but with a different path. It’s exciting, yet frustrating at times creating your own business. It’s a leap of faith and you have to give it your best shot every day.

BIT: Tell me about Bajamar. What is the inspiration behind it?

BM: Bajamar came to be after I was furloughed during the pandemic and I found myself sitting on my couch with a feeling of abandonment after putting so many years into the corporate hustle. I realized then that I can put all of that dedication and passion into something of my own making. I asked my boyfriend (quick update from BIT: now fiancee) of all the things I need to improve, what is one quality I should focus on during this time?

His response was one word, “initiative”, but that was all I needed to hear. The next day I started brainstorming like crazy and by the end of the day, I committed to creating a sustainable brand that gives back, by making handcrafted jewelry with hopes of adding clothing products later on – a dream I have always kept on the back burner but was finally resolved to action. In my industry, most brands are not known for being eco-friendly or having those industry standards. And that’s important to me.

BIT: And then Bajamar was born.

BM: (laughing) yes, something like that.

BIT: Did you have a moment where you realized, “Holy shit, this is actually happening?”

BM: Yes, that point hit me sometime in May. I had worked day and night for a month, which was sometime in April. I had brainstormed the brand, started ordering materials to work on prototypes. I spent 2 months really digging into and studying heavily, really working on how to create a business. By May I was ready to go, I put up the website, and by May 17th I just launched. I started doing sneak peeks on Instagram and sent out prototypes and the feedback was crazy. That same day I was asked about how to order, where can I buy, what are the prices, things like that. And now everything has happened and I have a business- now it’s end of July… somehow everything has happened in just 3 months.

BIT: That must feel amazing.

BM: It’s overwhelming for sure. There is always lot of things to do. I’m a perfectionist so I always think I could have done things a little bit different… but honestly now, I wouldn’t change a thing. It feels great to do build something of your own and to make a product that people can feel good about wearing. 

BIT: Sounds like you went about it the right way.

BM: In my corporate job, my specialty was textile and material innovation. I saw everything in the testing stage. I would find a new fabric, like a plant-based polyester or bamboo that also wicks, is antimicrobial, etc. I used that for my materials but also for my packaging- I wanted to make sure everything was reusable and sustainable. So my professional background really helped me but I still had to do a lot of studying and learning during the first month or so. 

BIT: What is one reality about starting your own business that you were surprised to learn?

BM: (laughing) Oh my god, there are so many! That’s a really hard question. I guess just the amount of work and the amount of detail that it takes to start your own business by yourself. In my corporate job, my responsibility was only for the product development process. When managing your own business, it’s everything. Finances, accounting, sourcing materials, meetings, deadlines, the website, photo shoots… it’s everything. I don’t think anybody realizes how much work you have to put into it especially if it’s just yourself. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of long hours. I’ve learned so much about the business side now that I’m the one handling it. I don’t have an accounting department… So it’s like a huge wave of paperwork and things that you have to know, all with deadlines. It was kind of a big slap in the face to have so many insane responsibilities. It’s a lot of hard work you have to do yourself because nobody else is gonna do it.

BIT: Right, so you can’t cut corners at all.

BM: There is so much to learn. And also, you have to be ready to put in money if you want to do things right… which was a little overwhelming for me. I was thinking, oh my gosh, am I doing this right, should I be investing money in a company so new? You definitely have to do things premeditated and also take educated, measurable risks. You have to decide when to start, how to do it, and then you have to do all of it. Once you dive in, you can’t take your foot out. 

BIT: How do you balance trying to do the whole branding thing? Define Bajamar as a brand.

BM: Bajamar is all about creating pieces that are not just handcrafted and sustainable, but my aim is that when people where them, that they can express that they are a vehicle of change and ecological awareness. We need to be aware of our environment. Everything that I make is sustainable and ethically sourced. Our silk cuffs are fair-trade or recycled. I’ve also been using things that are often thrown in the sea and putting them to good use and making them beautiful to let people know that hey, we have too much waste in our oceans. We have to be conscious of the extraction of pearls and mindful of the affect that has on the environment.

Now, as far styling and all of that, I try to make it as fashionable as I can. Bajamar pieces are beautiful but also casual and modern. You can wear them to work but also to a bar or out at night. The style should go seamless with your lifestyle, but also express that you are a vehicle for change everywhere you go.

BIT: I know part of the inspiration for your focus on sustainability comes from your Dad. Can you tell me about that?

BM: A percentage of all sales are donated to ocean-dedicated charities. The reason why, and also part of what birthed what Bajamar is today, was seeing my father clean our hometown beach in Puerto Rico, which had become neglected and covered in waste. He cleaned it weekly, all on his own and in his spare time outside of work and now the beach is completely revitalized. Others are able to come enjoy it because of his efforts. Inspired by this, I wanted to do something that covers Bajamar’s footprint and more. Each month we select a new charity in honor of people like my father who are working to save our oceans. 

BIT: How do you maintain energy in your craft and push through periods of frustration? 

BM: Hmmmm… ah that’s a tough one. Well, I guess I always put in a little bit of fun (laughing). I love to laugh but believe it or not, I’m very devoted to my work especially when I’m doing it for me. I do get frustrated, but I tell myself to keep trying, keep trying, until I realize I just need to laugh at myself and just chill a little bit. Relax. Start brand new tomorrow. I tell myself, ‘you’re going down this path and you’re so blessed;  life is not so tough.’ If I need to, I just have a glass of wine and relax.

BIT: Tell us what you are working on now and about your vision for the future.

BM: My vision for the future I would say is to keep growing, but to keep creating a community more than having retailers and stores putting in orders. My goal isn’t just to make Bajamar a hip brand with fashion bloggers, hopefully that will come in time, but for now, Bajamar is really not about making profits but about making a community that will be aware of what you’re buying, where it came from and where it’s going. If I can create a community where our mission is connected to our surroundings and our behavior, then that’s really the main goal I have for the next year. The rest I feel will come with time, but creating a conscious community is really what I’m going for. 

Follow @bajamarstudio to learn more about the brand’s story and see the full collection at bajamar-studio.myshopify.com/

I hate leaving New York. I do. But, I do. And I will. But not without a tote bag full of my favorite Fall beauty essentials. 

Read on to find out how I plan to save face (and hair!) all season long, in the city and far beyond.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extension Mascara

I know, I know. I fall in love with mascaras and vow it will be the last time fairly often. But this time… this time it’s different. I have never, ever, used a more perfect mascara, and it’s not even available at Sephora. Thrive Causemetics has created a wildly innovative new formula that fully coats your lashes in a tube, thickening and extending them without clumping. Lash Extension rivals any $200 extension process, stays put all day and night, and best of all, comes off in little lashy tubes when you remove it; no smudgy raccoon eyes. Oh yeah, and also, they use 100% organic ingredients AND they donated a portion of every sale to help all of these women’s causes. This is the holy grail of mascaras, from a company that gives a damn. I cannot say enough. Stop everything. Buy it here now. 

Sorella Watermelon Mint Hydrating Mist

Can a spray really do that much? I didn’t think so. Until I started using this fresh, tingly, and mega-hydrating miracle product from Sorella. This has been the only product I’ve ever used to visibly reduce the size of my pores. Sorella is a 100% natural, and … while they (and I) encourage you to visit a licensed aesthetician to find what products are best for your skin type, if you (like me) realize that your skin isn’t dry but usually dehydrated, this product is for you. Spray it on after cleansing and to wake skin up in the morning. Your skin will develop a smooth, natural glow that has convinced me to happily do away with any base layer whatsoever. Get it here. 

Davines SOLU Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser

The thing about dry shampoo is that it builds up. By day 6 my hair is basically dragging me out of bed, making me breakfast, and writing my to-do lists. And as much as I love big, bold hair, I can’t have it overpowering me. Get rid of the build-up in one wash AND make your roots forget they have ever been masked at all. This life-giving salt scrub by my favorite Italian hair company helps forgive me of all my follicle sins, and feels damn good too. I get mine from Zoe’s but if you’re not in Brooklyn, order it here. 

Davines Oi Oil

Normally I would sy away from adding any type of unnecessary oil to my hair (see below). But this line of “absolute beautifying” smooths hair without weighing it down, and convinced all my split ends to get back together. A little goes a very long way, so don’t get greedy. Get yours at Zoe’s in Greenpoint, or here. Or I guess in Italy, where it’s made. That’s way cooler. 

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

Ok, ok if you can trust me about anything, let it be this. I’ve been out in the field. I’ve been desperate. And by now, I’ve saved probably 800 hours that I used to spend shampooing and styling with a quick and effective dry alternative that not only gets rid of oil, but leaves hair lively and full, day after day. I’ve tried nearly every dry shampoo out there. This is the Mecca of dry shampoos. I get it monthly at Zoe’s, or get yours here.

Bare Minerals One Fine Line Eyeliner

Let me get to the point here. I hate dealing with smudgy eyeliner sharpeners but have never found a retractable liner that is exact enough to pay attention to. Everything changed when I was recommended this tiny little tube from the lovely ladies at Zoe’s in Greenpoint. It provides just enough coverage and stays put, helping me look sharp all day. Get yours here now.

Oh, and the other contents of my favorite new tote? Women Who Run With the Wolves, this great notebook full of Wild Ideas from Lockwood in Greenpoint, these amazing Nectar sunglasses, and my trusty travel companion. 

Don’t hate leaving New York, Brooklyn. Just do it in style.

Recognize the dangers of “false” Instagram-only companies.

Determine if this “business” is trend-driven and product-focused or concentrated on building a brand.

Be hyper-aware of too-good-to-be-true promotions.

Too much focus on “shipping time”

If you’ve been victimized

To protect yourself in the future, PAY WITH PAYPAL.

Let’s be honest