{"id":254405,"date":"2026-04-06T18:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254405\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T18:24:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:24:14","slug":"shopping-con-mas-amor-annenberg-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254405\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping con Mas Amor \u2013 Annenberg Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

Born and raised in the El Sereno neighborhood, Vanessa Gutierrez is not only an entrepreneur but an advocate for her community. In early March, the city recognized the meaningful, ongoing difference she continues to make through her boutique and outreach, and honored her with the CD14 Woman of Impact award. <\/p>\n

Over the last couple of years, she has expanded her boutique\u2019s mission to give more love to her community and give back through service and engagement.<\/p>\n

\"AFitting room with warm lighting, handbags, and a multitude of different accessories. (Photo by Emily Ramirez) <\/p>\n

The boutique was founded on December 12, 2020. At the time, Gutierrez was working with LA County Public Works and feeling a bit \u201cunfulfilled\u201d. During the pandemic, she \u201c…felt a lot of heartbreak\u2026 saw a lot of pain and loss\u2026 and really wanted to give more love to [her] community\u2026[and herself].”<\/p>\n

Despite studying business at Cal State Monterey Bay and earning her Associate of Arts at East Los Angeles Community College, the idea for the boutique did not occur to her until a few years after completing her studies. Partially because she felt the world of entrepreneurship was out of reach. <\/p>\n

She said, \u201cBeing first-gen, being young\u2026in my family the dream [was] stability, benefits, being able to be comfortable\u2026and that\u2019s good! But for me, I always knew I wanted more.\u201d <\/p>\n

After researching and realizing that the domain Mas Amor was available, Gutierrez considered it a sign, a confirmation that told her to go all in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to do something different,\u201d she said, \u201c\u2026 Everything that I had been doing was not working for me\u2026[With this] I get to give m\u00e1s amor, not only to others but also to myself\u2026The journey has taught me that you can\u2019t pour from an empty cup.\u201d <\/p>\n

Gutierrez took the initiative and created her website using online resources to launch her business. Through multiple pop-ups, she put herself and her brand out there, gradually growing Mas Amor.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Gutierrez shows her cultural pride in her pieces and in her community-oriented goals. \u201cFashion is political,\u201d she states, \u201c… At a time where our culture is appreciated and used but not credited… Using pieces from our culture is very powerful, it\u2019s a statement that we are here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PhotoThe Mas Amor snapbacks in the lower-left corner feature la rosa, the symbolic flower for amor. To the left are secondhand and vintage clothing, sunglasses, and mixed jewelry. (Photo by Emily Ramirez) <\/p>\n

According to her website<\/a>, she initially donated 12% of each piece sold to charity. With the earnings from her first couple of launches, she collaborated with Sid Rea, her friend and the founder of Elephant Hill Cafe Bakery<\/a>, to provide food and coffee for unhoused people in El Sereno. <\/p>\n

They now co-coordinate the El Sereno Night Market<\/a> together from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. every Wednesday, ensuring a lively experience filled with music, different cuisines, and space for new shared memories. A space for friends and neighbors to gather and unwind.<\/p>\n

Through social media and community events, Gutierrez and Rea draw more attention to the night market and advocate for their local vendors during times of political distress. <\/p>\n

Gutierrez stated she\u2019s \u201cmost proud\u201d of Rea and her fundraising endeavor to help vendors \u201cpay their rent\u2026 and help put food on the table. [As well as earning] the trust from the community to want to\u2026 donate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lizbeth Castaneda works at her family\u2019s business, Churros Los Paisitas, Estilo Navarro. They\u2019ve been vendors at the Night Market for 4 years now. Castaneda said the Night Market has had a \u201cbig impact\u201d on the community.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Gutierrez and Rea] have helped us vendors in many ways\u2026in some ways I see them as family,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoThe El Sereno Night Market on March 18, 2026. As the night winds down, community members continue to enjoy the market. (Photo by Emily Ramirez) <\/p>\n

\u201c[The Night Market] has always been something that the community needed, it still needs it, and the people want it,\u201d said Rea.<\/p>\n

For Rikki Chavez, also born and raised in the neighborhood, \u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a common ground to go to. To have something consistent and embedded in all the lifestyle culture here in El Sereno.\u201d <\/p>\n

Gutierrez\u2019s story, as well as Rea\u2019s story\u2013their ambition to start something new for themselves and give back to their village\u2013reminds us that there is an ever-growing space for Latine voices in entrepreneurship. That pursuing passion and simultaneously giving back to others is possible.<\/p>\n

Gutierrez\u2019s advice to young, aspiring CEOs out there is to \u201cHave a really strong why. A strong why is the light that keeps you going\u2026. [It takes] Consistency\u2026 In the entrepreneurship route, nothing is easy, but it is very rewarding.\u201d <\/p>\n

Gutierrez\u2019s work aligns with her values. She states she feels successful because she is, \u201c… making a difference\u2026making women feel beautiful\u2026The fact that I get to live my life and sustain myself\u2026 Business has been a very spiritual experience for me; I\u2019ve had to face myself many, many times.\u201d <\/p>\n

The growth of her boutique and her impact only further highlight this resilience. Gutierrez\u2019s journey shows that persistence is more than failure. With grit, work ethic, and the discipline to keep learning, then heartache, grief, and devastation can become a pillar of strength. <\/p>\n

Her boutique features pink walls, gold portraits, and mirrors that strive for a fierce and elegant atmosphere. The clothing and accessory pieces are vintage and secondhand, perfect for various occasions: casual wear, a Friday-night outfit, or a very cute picnic outfit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to describe [the style of the store] as cute, classy, with a hint of sexy,\u201d she stated. <\/p>\n

The boutique is open for appointments throughout the week and accepts walk-ins on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. Just recently, she launched her vibrant spring and summer collection with a variety of different pieces- sparkly, crocheted, some body-hugging, and others flowy.<\/p>\n

A diverse range of clothing selection to choose from, designed to be inclusive and accommodate what feels right and confident to the first-time or longtime loyal customer.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoVarious vibrant pieces as the spring and summer collections fill up the store. (Photo by Emily Ramirez) <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for some peace and quiet to shop, or if you want to have a mini runway show con las amigas over a cafecito from Elephant Hill Cafe Bakery nearby, then this is the perfect spot. The perfect spot to experiment with what feels right and confident for you, meet new people, and share kindness. <\/p>\n

\u201cMas Amor\u201d is more than a boutique, just like the Night Market is more than a night market. These are pillars in the El Sereno community that draw a village together and create meaningful friendships and memories that last a lifetime.<\/p>\n

48905A Huntington Dr. N. LA 90032<\/p>\n