Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Whatnot
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the exceptional Hispanic and Latin business owners who are making a meaningful impact within the Whatnot community. Their entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and inspiring success stories are a testament to their dedication and resilience. Today, we’re excited to share the journeys and contributions of a few outstanding Whatnot sellers.
Lluvia and Alfonso, the husband-and-wife team behind Evasivestudio, have been passionate about collectibles for years, turning their love for the hobby into a thriving business over the last five years. Their competitive drive and excitement for connecting with a global audience led them to start selling on Whatnot. As young Hispanic business owners in 2024, they’re proud to be succeeding, especially after the challenges that many small businesses faced during the pandemic. Their advice to future Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs? Stay true to yourself and do what brings you happiness.
“Always remember to be yourself.
The minute you copy someone’s style it stops being you.”
Tino & Kristin, are the Chicago-based husband and wife team of LaVillaFashion. Tino balances his time between being a full-time entrepreneur and a part-time elementary school employee. After losing his job in the hospitality industry during the pandemic, Tino pivoted to selling fashion online to support their family, particularly for one of their daughters, Lily, who requires specialized care. With Kristin’s background in fashion and Tino being the on-camera personality, they jumped into Whatnot’s Women’s Fashion category in July 2022 and have never looked back. For Tino, being a part of the Latino entrepreneurial community means bringing their business to new audiences and inspiring their daughters with lessons of hard work and adaptability. His advice to other Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs: Start small with what you have, get to know your buyers, and provide them with something that’s unique to you. “The more conviction and passion you have, the higher your chances of succeeding.”
“Latino-owned businesses are such an influential force in the U.S. and I’m glad to be a small part of that.”
Bel, the Latina powerhouse behind Bonita Trendz, started her online business in 2015, initially focusing on women’s boutique shoes before expanding into the sneaker and streetwear world after joining Whatnot. For her, Whatnot is more than just a platform; it’s a community where she’s formed lifelong friendships. As a homeschooling mom, running an online business provides her with the flexibility to balance family and work. Bel’s message to fellow Latinas and other entrepreneurs is that success comes from hard work, consistency, and always being willing to learn. So keep pushing, keep showing up, and stay true to your own journey.
“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end-run your own race. There is enough room for us all to win.”
Jonathan and Daniel, also known as Jaystashhh and DanLoot are the founders of Stashhhloot. They have been running their collectibles business for nearly five years, bouncing from convention to convention while also on Whatnot six days a week. Being based in New York with a predominantly Latino staff and also surrounded by various Hip Hop inspirations, their Latino heritage shines through in everything they do as they say, “Culture is our business strategy.” They have an incredible team behind them who handle everything from scheduling to shipping to streaming, and of course, they never stop hustling. Jaystashhh says that being a Hispanic business owner in 2024 gives their team great pride as they are constantly breaking barriers while enjoying the journey and living the dream. He encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to always work hard and that being authentically true to yourself is the key to success.
“Culture is our business strategy. We have a lot of fun doing it and it doesn’t feel like a job.”
Justin, a Puerto Rican-Cuban American from Central Florida, is the collectibles seller behind Flipnxtvictim. His love for Funko Pops started in 2014, and after years of building his collection and enjoying the energy of conventions, he transitioned to selling on Whatnot. His live shows capture the fun community feel of conventions and create a space where collectors can connect. For Justin, being a Hispanic business owner is a significant milestone, recognizing the sacrifices his family made to build a better future. His advice for aspiring Latino business owners is to not feel pressured to follow a traditional career path. Business has its ups and downs, but if you stay passionate, everything will work out.
“There are always going to be ups and downs, but as long as you’re passionate about whatever it is you pursue, it’ll always work itself out.”
At Whatnot, we are honored to support Hispanic and Latin sellers on Whatnot as they grow their businesses and contribute to the community. Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by following, bookmarking, and supporting their businesses this month and all year round. 💛
