As a child, María López Rosario loved to visit the underwear factory where her father worked. As she watched the people sew, she dreamed of having her own needlework business.  

And in 2020, it was the right time to make her dream come true. Given the pandemic, she began to see businesses with physical locations open online, and thought it was a great idea with a lot of potential.

Being left with an empty nest when her daughters left for the university, she deciced to create and start Coco by Maree – a virtual women’s clothing boutique that featured the timeless boho chic style, featuring pieces that can be worn all year round.  

“I love fashion. Being the daughter of a local needleworker, I wanted to reinvent myself and create something new. So I decided to give myself the opportunity to open an online store,” said López, whose studies were in sales and marketing.

“If I were a fruit, I’d be a coconut!” 

The name Coco by Maree is a combination of her name in French and the fruit she identifies with the most. In addition to alluding to her roots, it also points to the popular phrase “to be like a coconut,” which is something her grandfather, who will soon turn 99, used to say.

Almost four years ago, Coco by Maree started with swimsuits, then added tunics, which became a customer favorite. As the inventory continued to grow, she added dresses, jumpsuits, skirts, pants, blouses, and all-in-one attire. 

“Everything we produce is the result of customer input and aimed at what my customers like,” added López, whose designs are exclusive to her brand. 

Recently, she incorporated cosmetic bags made from material scraps. “The intention of these bags is to use all the leftover fabric from the collection. That way, there isn’t much waste or effects on the environment,” said López, whose dyes and some fabrics are also eco-friendly. 

Despite not having a physical location, her products are available at the Hecho en Puerto Rico store at Plaza Las Américas, as well as the Mall of San Juan during the summer. Some pieces are also available at Guamarina.

“All this time, FirstBank has been part of our growth.”

Looking ahead, this entrepreneur, who is also an insurance agent, is focused on exporting her products and going international. To do this, and with everything so far, she plans to work hand-in-hand with FirstBank.

“FirstBank helped me a lot by guiding me in how to manage my business effectively, while providing resources to assist us in the various phases of the business, such as accounting and marketing,” she said.  

FirstBank’s support goes beyond its banking functions. For López Rosario, and in addition to her commercial bank account, the institution has supported her through continuing education and the opportunity to make connections with other businesses through the Hecho en Puerto Rico Association.

“FirstBank is the center of everything, and I can thank them for the exposure I’ve had as a company. They’ve supported me one hundred percent.” 

Coco by Maree is getting ready to launch its next collection in April, with cheerful prints and a colorful palette, allowing for mix & match, with colors including violet, blue, green, peach and some black.  

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This content was written by journalist Enid Salgado Mercado and published in El Nuevo Día.

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