Stories

Teresa de Miguel Miró

Interview with

Beatriz of the Young Men

founder of Flabelus


Biography

Beatriz studied Law and graduated as a lawyer in 2014. During her career, she worked at White and Case in Madrid, completed the postgraduate program in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and continued her career in London at the Chenavari Partners Fund of Funds. Later, she decided to pursue a new opportunity: sales manager at Luminance, a startup with revolutionary Artificial Intelligence technology for lawyers.

At Luminance, she became Co-Global Sales Director, leading this area, traveling the world, and opening 27 new markets for the company. There, thanks to her experience on the ground and with clients, she discovered new business lines for the technology, paving the way for large companies to also begin using AI.


When was the company founded? Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?

I founded Flabelus while still Co-Director of Sales at Luminance, as a personal project during the slow months of Covid (February 2020). I left in September 2020 to dedicate myself fully to growing Flabelus as a global business, and I hired the first employees in December 2020.

I don't think there was a before and after in my decision-making process. Suddenly I was starting a business, and suddenly things just kept working. It all began with a curiosity, a design, my search for a supplier who could improve it, and from there one thing led to another, and here we are.



“The soul of a pair of shoes can only be given by skilled hands. Just as the soul of a world can only be given by the imagination of a dreamer.”

How would you explain what Flabelus is to someone who doesn't know the brand? What makes it special?

Flabelus began deeply connected to Spanish craftsmanship; it's been part of its history from the very beginning. An innovative product, crafted by espadrille artisans who use centuries-old techniques to create a modern product. Without these artisans, Flabelus wouldn't exist. Ultimately, it's very important to me that the project, the shoes, the idea—our world, in short—has a soul. And the soul of a pair of shoes can only be given by skilled hands. Just as the soul of a world can only be given by the imagination of a dreamer. I believe we have all of that at Flabelus.


Looking back on these years of dedication, what are you most proud of?

That's a good question, and I could give you many answers. Of course, I look back and think, wow, look at everything we've accomplished! I'm proud of my team, of Flabelus for being that shoe that everyone loves, of our stores in three countries, and of our rapid growth. But what I'm truly most proud of is my personal and professional growth along the way. I do this for myself. For the dreamy little girl Bea, for the adult Bea who continues to dream. And Flabelus has given me a foundation, a serenity, a way of facing life, and a learning experience in every sense that I wouldn't trade for anything. And I feel incredibly proud of all the knowledge I've gained, and of the woman I am now thanks to Flabelus.


Relationship with beauty:

What is beauty to you and how do you experience it in your daily routine?

For me, beauty is about being at peace with yourself; it's about naturalness, artistry, health, personality, wisdom, experience, serenity, well-being, confidence, and self-assurance. In my daily life, I take care of myself with simple yet effective routines.


What or who inspires you in your day-to-day life?

My family has always been my daily source of inspiration. Seeing my parents and siblings always being there for each other, supporting and comforting one another, pulling everyone together, and facing every problem together fills me with strength and inspiration.



“For me, beauty is being at peace with oneself, it is naturalness, art, health, personality, wisdom, experience, serenity, well-being, confidence and self-assurance.”

Who are your beauty icons?

The truth is, my mother and my grandmother. Both very elegant women, always stylish, poised, with the beauty that comes with age, experience, poise, serenity, kindness, and responsibility. Impressive on the inside and it shines through on the outside. They are true role models.


What's the best advice you've ever received?

My parents taught us from a very young age that it's good to dream, but that you have to work hard to achieve your dreams. That nothing happens by chance. And here we are, working very hard.



Beauty Questionnaire:

What is your skincare routine?

Every morning my routine starts with washing my face with cold water. Then I apply a few drops of serum, followed by my daytime moisturizer with SPF 50. At night, I follow the same method, but with a specific nighttime product. That's all I need!


A foolproof trick or product

For me, the key is to use very little makeup, and what I do use is hydrating and oil-free, as natural as possible. I try to keep my skin makeup-free as much as I can; I think it's important for the skin to breathe.


How do you take care of your beauty from the inside out?

I work hard on taking care of my mental health, on maintaining mental balance so I can manage my daily life as best as possible, although with all the stress that comes with my day-to-day existence, it's a constant battle. I also pay close attention to my diet, not in terms of quantity, which I don't think is healthy, but in terms of choosing foods that agree with me and don't cause bloating. I have digestive issues, so I have to be very careful about what I eat to avoid feeling unwell all day. I think it's essential to exercise and find moments to completely disconnect. I still haven't quite mastered the latter, but I know it's very important.


Is there anything left for you to learn or try in the beauty world?

Of course, everything! I'm passionate about learning, and now that I'm in my 30s, I think it's essential to be super informed. I'm increasingly aware of the need to be better educated from a young age about what we eat, how we take care of ourselves, establishing a routine, and learning to distinguish what works best for each of us and what's good for our health. A routine from a young age helps tremendously in feeling good about yourself—not to be perfect, but to be well and healthy, which for me is true beauty.


What are your favorite beauty treatments? (From Beldon Beauty)

It's a tough question, I love them all! I'm a huge Beldon Beauty fan. My favorites are the Sulpting Facial , ideal for achieving flawless skin, and the Tension Recovery Massage , perfect for releasing daily muscle tension.