Meet Cecilia Mejia: One of Our 30 Faces of YES
Cecilia first came to YES as a newcomer to Canada, seeking guidance on how to turn her passion for ceramics into a sustainable business. As an immigrant entrepreneur navigating a new, unfamiliar market and language barriers, she found support, clarity, and encouragement through YES’ coaching and workshops.
At the time, she was balancing excitement with uncertainty, creating her pieces while trying to understand her place in the Canadian market. Through YES services and networking events, she gained confidence in the value of her work, learned how to tell her story, and developed a network to feel at home and form community.
The entrepreneurial foundation Cecilia built with YES helped her transform a small handmade ceramics practice into a thriving business. Today, she earns a living through her craft, shares her cultural heritage through her designs, and continues to grow her brand while balancing her work with family life.
Interview with Cecilia
What brought you to YES, and what were you hoping to achieve at that time?
When I came to YES, what I was really looking for was guidance. As an immigrant and aspiring entrepreneur, I felt I needed support—someone to help me understand how to start from scratch in a new country. I had experience in Mexico, but doing business in Canada is different: the rules, the permits, the environment. I wanted to understand those differences, learn the steps to formalize my business, and get practical advice to help me make the right decisions from the beginning.
Can you tell me about some of the challenges or goals you faced when you first connected with YES? Was there a particular moment or obstacle that felt especially significant?
One of the biggest challenges I faced when I first connected with YES was the language barrier. Coming from a Spanish-speaking background, navigating both English and French in a professional context was overwhelming at times. On top of that, I was trying to understand how to start a business in a completely new system. Everything—from the terminology to the legal processes—felt unfamiliar.
Beyond that, one of my main goals was to better understand the Canadian customer and find my niche in this new market. I also wanted to give structure to my brand, set clearer objectives, and move from just having an idea to actually building a business that could generate income.
There was a moment when I realized how different things were compared to Mexico, and that’s when I knew I needed structured support. YES gave me a space where I could ask questions, get clarity, and build confidence step by step.
How did YES support you in overcoming those challenges or moving forward in your career, business, or artistic journey?
At first, I wasn’t sure if the Canadian market would appreciate my designs. I used to think they were ‘too Mexican,’ and that maybe I needed to adapt and be more like what was already out there. But my coach at YES helped me see the value in what I was offering—not just through my pieces, but through my story as well. They encouraged me to share the inspiration behind each design, to show where it comes from and why it matters.
Some examples of Cecilia’s ceramic pieces, including her figurine skulls (pictured on the left and right), inspired by “the tradition she most identifies with”, the Day of the Dead. It is one way she and her art stay connected with her home and its culture.
Another big shift was learning to overcome the fear of pricing my work. In the beginning, you often think, ‘Who’s going to buy this?’—so you underprice it, or you give it away too easily. But that’s not sustainable, and it doesn’t reflect the time, effort, or creativity you put in. YES helped me see that my work has real value, and that telling my story is part of what makes it unique.
Were there any tools, workshops, or insights from YES that made a lasting difference?
Yes! I signed up for every session that could fit into my schedule—honestly, I was in everything, lol. My first years as a brand were full of experimentation, and those workshops and events really gave me a foundation. I also met a lot of people I ended up collaborating with on independent projects, which was so valuable. It allowed me to see the market through different perspectives, and it helped me realize that I wasn’t as lost as I thought.
A lot of the things that scared me at first—things that felt huge or impossible—turned out to be much more manageable once I had the right support and context. Those experiences helped me build confidence and take action, even when I wasn’t 100% sure.
Where are you now in your journey, and what achievements or milestones are you most proud of?
I’m really proud that I’ve been able to make a living doing what I love, and that my brand allows me to share a piece of my culture and who I am. It’s important to show that immigrants bring so much value—we may come from another country, but we’re constantly evolving and adapting. What we offer is a blend of where we come from, who we are now, and where we want to go.
I feel very fortunate to work from home, where I’ve created a small studio that lets me share my passion for making and designing. At the same time, I get to stay close to my family, which is especially meaningful now that I’m a mom. Having that balance has become one of the most important parts of this journey for me.
Cecilia is able to work on her ceramic pieces at the studio she has created at home.
Looking back, is there a particular moment or success that stands out as a turning point?
I think the time I dedicated to experimentation was a huge turning point for me. It allowed me to make mistakes without fear and taught me to truly value my time and my work.
I also learned to be more selective about the events I participated in and the type of stores where I wanted my brand to be represented. I started out selling just a few handmade pieces at local markets, and over time, I transitioned to producing some of my best-selling designs using molds. The use of molds has helped make the production process less dependent on me, which means I can keep producing even while I’m working on creating new designs. This shift also opened the door for me to participate in larger events, like the One of a Kind show in Toronto, which was a big milestone for my brand.
At what stage were you in your career, business, or artistic journey when you connected with YES?
When I connected with YES, I had just recently learned ceramics and had opened my home studio. I was still in the very early stages of my journey—participating in some local markets and creating each piece entirely by hand, one at a time. It was a moment full of excitement but also a lot of uncertainty, as I was still figuring out how to turn this into a real business.”
Which YES services, workshops, or coaching did you participate in?
To be honest, I don’t really remember the names of the specific workshops—I took so many, both through YES and outside of it.
But what I do remember clearly are the coaching sessions. They really felt like a guide for me. Those one-on-one conversations were incredibly helpful, especially because sometimes in group settings, we feel silly for not knowing something. It’s much easier to ask questions when you’re talking to someone who knows you and understands where you’re coming from.
Do you have any full-circle moments to share—such as returning as a speaker, mentor, or volunteer?
Yes, I’ve had a few full-circle moments that have meant a lot to me. I was once selected as Entrepreneur of the Month, which was such an encouraging recognition. At my very first market with YES [YES’ annual artist pop-up market and exhibition, What the Pop!], I ended up being the top seller that day—which really boosted my confidence. I’ve also been invited to speak at YES, sharing my entrepreneurial journey with young people.
It feels really meaningful to give back and hopefully inspire others who are just starting out, just like I was. On top of that, they’ve even used my application for the YES market as an example for new applicants, which makes me feel proud and honored.
➔ Discover Cecilia’s work here.
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