Concetta Bondi & Mariana Narvaez Espinosa on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Concetta Bondi & Mariana Narvaez Espinosa. Check out our conversation below.

Concetta & Mariana , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes — during our most recent product shoot, we styled our newest barro clay pieces together for the first time. Seeing them all in one space made me pause. It was a quiet but powerful moment of pride.

These designs began as quick sketches Mariana made while on site at our last trade show in New York City. Now they’re being handcrafted by women artisans in Oaxaca and finding their way into homes and design projects across the country. We move so quickly as founders that we rarely stop to acknowledge progress — that day, we did, and it reminded us how far the brand has come in such a short time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
P A L O S A N T O is a women-led home décor brand that collaborates directly with artisan workshops across Mexico. We create handcrafted vessels, utilitarian objects, textiles, and sculptural pieces using ancestral techniques passed down through generations.

What makes P A L O S A N T O unique is our commitment to heritage craft paired with contemporary design. Every piece is shaped entirely by hand — no molds, no mass production — which means each object carries the fingerprint and spirit of the artisan who made it. Our work honors tradition while bringing timeless, nature-inspired pieces into modern spaces.

The brand was born from our travels through Mexico, where we met artisans whose work and stories deeply moved us. Today, we work primarily with women-led and family-owned workshops and are currently expanding into a new lighting collection that continues our mission of honoring craft, culture, and intentional design.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The artisans we work with have taught me the most about work. Their discipline, patience, and pride in their craft have reshaped how we think about success. Watching someone dedicate decades to perfecting a single technique is a reminder that meaningful work takes time — and that quality, integrity, and care always show in the final result.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Concetta:
Absolutely. Entrepreneurship is a constant emotional rollercoaster, and there are moments when everything feels like it’s happening at once.

Recently, after a particularly exhausting period, we traveled to Oaxaca to visit our artisans. Seeing the pride they take in their work and the impact P A L O S A N T O has on their livelihoods grounded me again. It reminded me that this brand isn’t just a business — it supports women artisans, preserves cultural traditions, and creates a bridge between communities. That clarity always brings me back.

Mariana:
Yes — there have been moments of doubt, especially during periods of uncertainty or creative pressure. But stepping back into the workshops (talleres), touching the materials, and working alongside the artisans always brings me back to the heart of why we started. The work feels bigger than any one challenge.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Many times we rely on the ideas and intuition of our artisan partners. They are the true experts in these ancestral techniques, and their understanding of material, form, and process consistently elevates our designs. Many of our best pieces are born through collaboration rather than direction. P A L O S A N T O exists because of their creativity as much as our own.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Concetta:
I hope people say I used my work to build bridges — between cultures, between tradition and modern design, and between people who might not otherwise be connected. I want to be remembered for creating opportunities for women artisans, honoring heritage craft, and building a brand rooted in integrity, intention, and respect.

Mariana:
I hope they say I honored craft and creativity with care and humility. That I listened deeply, designed thoughtfully, and helped preserve traditions while allowing them to evolve. Most of all, I hope the work reflects respect — for the makers, the materials, and the stories behind every piece.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://palosanto-decor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palosanto.decor/