Liliana Bravo Quiroz

“It is through the challenges I experienced as a working migrant mum in Australia that I developed my business idea”

Liliana Bravo

Country of Origin: Colombia

Occupation: Social entrepreneur and leader. Founder and Managing Director of Casa Bonita Lifestyle and Casa Bonita Cultural and Empowerment Hub. State of residency: Victoria Favourite place in Australia: Melbourne. Upon arrival: Surprised by the multiculturalism.

By Zoe Gleeson & Cristy Abela

Liliana Bravo Quiroz arrived in Australia in 2004 seeking to learn English and safety for herself - a privilege not guaranteed in her home country of Colombia. With the strength of her family and ancestors behind her, Liliana created a home in Melbourne among other Latin families. Her initial priority was to learn English so as to communicate and integrate into Australian society. In 2019, after 10 years of working, learning and networking in an Australian publishing company she founded the business she always dreamed of - Casa Bonita Lifestyle - a social enterprise. Through Colombian crafts, Liliana promotes an ethical, sustainable and cultural lifestyle. Casa Bonita Lifestyle is based on family values, identity pride and woman empowerment. Liliana sources products from Colombia from more that 250 traditional family businesses and in Australia she has created various programs to support migrant women. Today, the Casa Bonita Lifestyle retail shop employs primarily migrant women. Through the programs and the retail shop, Liliana is providing women with the helping hand she was looking for all those years ago.

TELL US YOUR STORY

I came to Melbourne in 2004 to learn English. I didn’t know anyone, but I’d read that Australians were easy going, friendly and I would have the opportunity of working while studying. I fell in love with Melbourne - the feeling of being anonymous, the multiculturalism and the acceptance. I felt safe. Mixing with Latin families was wonderful but didn’t help my English practice, so I decided to do a double masters to make sure I really practiced the language. Whilst studying I worked as a cleaner, enjoying the view from the 24th floor, or the sunrise at the beach as I cleaned. But I craved a bigger challenge.

Liliana with her family

I started importing and selling traditional Colombian crafts at markets and festivals. People loved the products, but something wasn’t quite right. Without a stable income, I put this venture aside and worked at a supermarket to practice English and build a network of local friends. After finishing my master’s degree, I started working for a major publisher. Over the 10 years I worked there I moved through shipping and distribution, sales, business development and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). During this time, I married and had two daughters. Returning from maternity leave to reduced days of work with lack of extended family support was tough but I kept my business idea in the back of my mind hoping one day to see it live.

I left Colombia not only to learn English, but also looking for a place to feel safe. Looking back on my early days in Melbourne, mixing with Latin families, I realise I was building my community and the feeling of safety that comes with that. Back in Colombia, my family’s biggest fear happened. My little brother was kidnapped, the rescue was not successful, and we lost him. The grief took me away from the world for three years. Slowly I returned. My daughters made me smile and reminded me of the miracle of life. My amazing, selfless husband gave me space and support.

With the support of psychologists, I started to think about myself again, and my thirst for learning and progression. Thinking this meant a more challenging role, I accessed all available company resources: training, career advisor, mentoring and networking.

Liliana with the cultural dolls : Palenquera, Wayunquerra and Wayunquerro

Not being able to find a flexible role where I could apply my creativity and leadership, I thought: “what do I have?” As a natural entrepreneur, I have lots of skills but not much specific experience. I had a job, income and mental space. So, I decided to revive my business idea while still working part time.

After mentoring sessions through Australian Small Business Advisory Service (ASBAS) and StartUp Victoria, I took on a weekend Pop-Up shop, which led to another Pop-Up in a much larger space. We are now located at 80 Charles St, Seddon. By mid-2020 I left my job and committed full time to my business – Casa Bonita Lifestyle.

In essence: Casa Bonita is an opportunity for Australia to learn about traditional Latin American crafts and artisans and to make a social impact by purchasing ethical, sustainable and cultural products. At Casa Bonita Lifestyle we have different programs that are designed to empower migrant women and communities through ethical trade: Collaborations program, Confident Migrant Mum program and co-retail and co-working options. For example the confident migrant program is designed for migrant mums to spend flexible time at Casa Bonita and learn customer service skills at our retail shop, while also caring for their child. They can practice English, be a role model for their kids and connect with the local community (our customers). I hope you find our programs useful and you or someone you know can benefit from them. 

CHALLENGES

Less face-to-face interaction - I was used to finding out information by talking to people, Colombians are very open and vocal people but in Australia you are expected to find written information, for example on websites. My English skills made this difficult, but once I got used to it, I embraced it and it has pushed me to learn.

Finding my voice - Unlike Colombia, it’s okay here to have your own voice and to (respectfully) discuss differing opinions, even with those in higher roles. This challenge slowed my professional growth. When I had my own business, I decided to no longer let that constant ‘doubt’ stop me. A coach helped me to understand this ‘doubt’ was a protective voice, keeping me safe from being public, disrespectful or kidnapped. I am free now; I feel safe to be a social leader and I am encouraged to continue by a great network of women who inspire me and show respect for different opinions.

Liliana proudly visiting and sourcing the products from Colombian artists

Working migrant mum - We carry the miracle of life, which is beautiful, but can also take us through challenges such as postpartum depression, loss of identity and self-care, leaving our careers and financial stress. It is through the challenges I experienced as a working migrant mum in Australia that I developed my business idea for Casa Bonita. I wanted to create opportunities for migrant women to be mothers, entrepreneurs and have financial security all at the same time.

CONTRASTS & SIMILARITIES

Way of life – Here in Australia, my husband encourages me to focus on my business while he takes on the bulk of the domestic workload and our daughters. Together we agreed that we don’t need the ideal ‘life balance’ but rather we have ‘life choices’ and our choice is to make sacrifices now for a better future for our family. In Colombia it is not common for the husband to take on the domestic role.

Cultural Identity - Australians are proud of their country and I want my kids to be proud of being both. I want our kids to feel proud of having Colombian heritage. When I listen to the Andes music, I want to start dancing and it transports me to carnivals. I want my children to also feel that way. To see a traditional craft, or listen to a song and feel happy and proud of the memories it brings. At Casa Bonita I am encouraging this pride by showing our traditional crafts and sharing cultural events, such as Multicultural Storytime (female writers reading their books).

PIECE OF ADVICE

Migrant mums please work on your dreams - Start small but be mindful that the impact of working on something that you love can be unstoppable. All the Latin women I know are highly educated and skilled but cannot find work here due to lack of experience and low confidence speaking English. Also, being a non-resident mum, you can’t receive government support for childcare, so it’s impossible to find work to fit. But remember that Rome was not built in one day.

Be ready to adapt – Ask, learn and then ask again. Network as much as you can. In times of difficulty, ask yourself the question ‘what resources do I have available?’ There is always something to do with what you have. Try and test for a period, then review.

Be a role model - I want my kids to see me as a role model of what it is to do work that you actually love. I want them to see it is possible to make a business that creates impact far away from the place you grew up. A family business is challenging, but allows my kids to learn first-hand that work is fun, rewarding and that you can love your work.

Liliana at the shop front of Casa Bonita in Seddon with some of her co-retail collaborators

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…

Liliana sees herself continuing to work with women, developing socio-economic programs and growing this model to a bigger scale. She would like to extend her Collaboration Program to small businesses in Australia. She is testing this model myself and has received interest to promote it to a larger scale. She would also like to see our kids books published in English, to promote Indigenous South American roots around the world. Finally, she wants to go back to Uni and do her PHD.

Contact Liliana to find more about Casa Bonita and work on something together or just come by for a chat! All details here