Who we are and the inspiration behind our collections
The story behind the name "Alma Mia Press" is deeply personal.
Alma was my great-grandmother—my mother’s mother—whom I never had the privilege of meeting, as she passed away when my mom was just eight years old. Growing up, I heard countless stories about how intelligent, strong-willed, and feisty she was. I was often told by my mom and aunts how much I favored her, which made me feel connected to a woman I never met but always felt close to.
Naming my brand after her was a way to honor her legacy and keep her presence alive, especially since my mom—and all of us—have often wondered what life would have been like with her still here. In Spanish, Alma means soul and Mia means my. Together, Alma Mia translates to “my soul.” This name represents family, heritage, strength, and the pieces of ourselves that are passed down through generations. Alma Mia Press is, at its core, a tribute to the soul of a woman who lives on through us.
Her Story
I was born and raised in the city of Chicago to proud Puerto Rican parents. I married my high school sweetheart at the age of 20, and after graduating college, we began our journey as a military family. Like many military spouses, maintaining a steady income came with challenges, so I turned to creativity—making shirts, cups, and bags—to help support our family. After 23 years of traveling the world together, we’ve retired from military life and settled in a small town in Texas. I hold deep respect for the traditional Latino values my parents instilled in me, while also embracing a progressive belief that women have a voice and are more than just wives or stay-at-home moms.Â
My collections speak directly to my culture, values, and lived experiences. My collections are deeply rooted in my culture, values, and lived experiences. My Puerto Rican culture is the inspiration behind my Latina Collection, celebrating heritage, strength, and pride. As the mother of children who are both Puerto Rican and Black, it has always been important to me to teach them to love everything about themselves—from their beautiful melanin skin to their curly hair—rooted in confidence, pride, and positive affirmations. They are the inspiration behind my Melanin Collection.
Sports has also played a major role in raising my children, who have both played and continue to play competitive travel sports. As a proud sports mom, I’ve always been my children’s biggest sideline cheerleader—while still showing up looking fabulous. That passion inspired my Sports Mom Collection, created for moms who want to support their athletes in style with shirts, bags, and cups that help them stand out and feel confident at every game.
