HL | BUSINESS
Melissa Rojas | Chasing Camilla
A Latina entrepreneur’s journey from handmade creations and pop-up markets to building a fashion brand inspired by family and culture.
Article and Photos by
Richard Sandoval
or entrepreneur Melissa Rojas, building a business began with a personal inspiration: her daughter, Camilla.
What started in Texas in 2017 with handmade creations and the support of her family has evolved into Chasing Camilla, a fashion and accessories brand celebrating Mexican culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Rojas began with limited resources, relying on determination, family support, and a willingness to take her products directly to customers. Her madrina helped create some of the earliest merchandise, while her mother’s encouragement provided an important foundation for the business.
Over time, Chasing Camilla expanded its collection to include clothing, accessories, and distinctive designs developed with artisans in Mexico. The brand has found customers through pop-up markets, specialty boutiques, and online retail.
Transportation became an important part of that growth. Rojas recalls beginning her entrepreneurial journey without a vehicle. After several years of building her business, she purchased a Toyota RAV4, giving her greater flexibility to transport merchandise and pursue opportunities at events and markets.
Today, Chasing Camilla continues to evolve, including its expansion into storefront retail in San Antonio, Texas.
HL met Rojas during the 27th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, where she shared her experiences as an entrepreneur and the role that determination, family, and cultural pride have played in her journey.
Her story reflects something familiar to many entrepreneurs: success rarely begins with everything in place. Sometimes it begins with an idea, someone who believes in you, and the determination to keep moving forward.
Watch our HL | Business video interview with Melissa Rojas.
Melissa Rojas | Chasing Camilla — Día de los Muertos 2026
During our visit to the 27th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, HL Media Network had the opportunity to meet Melissa Rojas, founder of Chasing Camilla, a Texas-based fashion and accessories brand inspired by family and Mexican cultural heritage.
Presented here are highlights from our experience, including photos of Melissa and the extraordinary artistry, traditions, and community spirit that made this celebration so memorable.
Photography by Richard Sandoval | HL Media Network
HL | BUSINESS — RETAIL INSIGHTS
The Business of Pop-Up Fashion
- 57% of brands seeking pop-up retail space are in fashion.
- Independent brands increasingly use temporary retail experiences to introduce products, meet customers, and explore new markets.
Melissa Rojas’s journey from Texas to California to showcase Chasing Camilla illustrates the entrepreneurial commitment behind this retail model. For small fashion businesses, traveling to events and selling directly to customers can create opportunities beyond their hometown markets.
Source: Storefront, 2026 Pop-Up Index, based on marketplace inquiries during the 12 months ending June 30, 2026. The statistic represents brands seeking space through Storefront, not all U.S. retailers.
EDITOR NOTES
Every Business Has a Beginning
One of the things I enjoy most about attending community events is the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and discover the stories behind their businesses.
During our coverage of Toyota’s Día de los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, we met Melissa Rojas, founder of Chasing Camilla.
What stood out to me was how her entrepreneurial journey began with family, creativity, and the determination to build something of her own.
Her story is a reminder that businesses don’t always begin with substantial resources or elaborate plans. Sometimes they begin with a simple idea, encouragement from family, and a willingness to pursue an opportunity.
Through HL | Business, we look forward to sharing more of these conversations and exploring the people, decisions, and experiences behind today’s entrepreneurs.
I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for future stories. Whether it’s a personal experience, an inspiring individual, or an important issue affecting our communities, I’d like to hear from you.
Email me at RDS@HispanicLifestyle.com, connect with @HLTV on Instagram, or follow Richard Sandoval on LinkedIn.
Let’s keep the conversation going.