Within every mujer is a story of beauty and power
July 6, 2022 - Introducing Cindy Rangel. Cindy is an entrepreneur and creative combining her passions for sustainability, travel, and storytelling. As CEO of Ella Pocketbook, a company creating sustainable travel accessories for today’s global woman, and Founder of Women of Colour in Travel, a community highlighting WOC as part of the travel narrative, Cindy is focused on bringing value to the communities she serves. In our conversation below, we go behind the scenes of entrepreneurship to talk about Cindy’s personal story of growing up as the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants and the travel memories that have shaped her vision for herself, her business, and the world.
What are 3-5 words you would use to describe yourself?
I am resourceful, curious and optimistic. I would also say that I am cerebral. I want to know as much as I can about the world. I love learning about other people and how things work. Travel has catapulted me into what I love to do, which is learn about other people and share their stories in community.
What is your origin story and how did your travel story begin?
I am one of four daughters of Ecuadorian immigrants. My parents moved to Chicago before I was born and made a life there. They worked really hard and believed in the American dream. They were also avid travelers. My mom took us to spend summers with our relatives and extended family in Ecuador. I have memories of meeting my Great Grandmother when I was four years old.
In Quito, we got to spend time in the city as well as the mountainous and rural areas. That became the foundation for my curiosity about the world.
My mom also took us to other places like Niagara Falls. Traveling as a child was a huge adventure and privilege that brought me a lot of joy and introspection. I’m grateful I got to have that authentic experience of moving around in the world because it has landed me where I am today.
Who and what inspires you?
I am inspired by community, innovation, and the introspection of the Self. Travel pulls me up close, front and center, with that. It reminds me of what’s important for myself, the community, and the future. Every time I travel I learn more about who I am and the impact I can make in the world.
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely process, but getting to know people’s stories and understanding who we are in the world puts into perspective how we are all connected.
What does community mean to you?
Community has been a great place of storytelling and sharing. It’s by far the gift that keeps giving because it opens the door to our interconnectedness and how we fit into each others’ stories.
Community gives me a sense of rootedness, bringing me back to Mother Earth. It’s a safe space, where everyone is seen and everyone’s stories are valid.
In the WOC in Travel community, I am interested in the ways I can bring value to the space and how we can work together to galvanize [our efforts] toward improvement.
What has been a memorable travel experience?
When I was 9 years old, my parents took us to Machu Picchu. I was enamored with the Indigenous women I saw there who were selling their handmade clothes. It was a cradle of entrepreneurship and the women were on a mission to be self-sustaining. That trip got crystallized in my memory as a child and spoke to the entrepreneurial spirit in me.
What are your top travel tips for women?
Plan ahead and know your travel style. I recommend getting referrals from locals or people who have been where you’re going because they can give you a good pulse of the place. Also, allow yourself to go with the flow and leave room in your plans for improv travel.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would say to her, “Trust your intuition, keep going, and know that the universe is always listening. Whatever you put out will come back to you threefold.”
If your life was a book, what would the title be?
Trust Her or The Beauty of Trust
What are you most proud of today?
I feel proud that I have followed my curiosity and trusted that my story, my purpose, and what I want to bring to the market are all valid. It has led me to an infinite amount of resources and storytelling with women in travel. I wasn’t expecting that. I saw myself in sustainable fashion, but I never thought it would merge with travel. And that has been so beautiful.
At the end of the day, travel brings me an immense amount of joy so I’m very proud and grateful to be in a position where I get to create something that is unique and meets the needs of the community and improves the future.
To keep up with Cindy’s travel stories and her much anticipated summer launch of the Ella Pocketbook sustainable travel bag, check out @ellapocketbook and @womenofcolourintravel on Instagram.