Meet Maria Alejandra | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Alejandra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria Alejandra, how do you think about risk?
To me, risk is not about being reckless — it’s about being aligned. I’ve always seen risk as a bridge between intuition and action. Every meaningful step I’ve taken in my life and career has involved a degree of uncertainty, but also a deep internal certainty that it was the right move for me.

Writing my first book, building my brand, stepping into the creative world with my voice — none of it came with guarantees. But I’ve learned that when I listen closely to my intuition and take action from that place, the risks become part of a bigger growth process. They push me beyond what I thought was possible.

Taking risks has allowed me to stay true to myself, create more authentically, and connect with people on a deeper level. It’s not always easy, but I’ve come to trust that the most expansive parts of my journey always begin where comfort ends.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art lives at the intersection of engineering, design, and emotion. I studied engineering, and that gave me a structured, problem-solving mindset — but my soul has always spoken through creativity. What makes my work unique is how I combine precision with playfulness, logic with feeling. That fusion is at the heart of everything I create, from handcrafted pieces at Alibombo to more personal, expressive explorations I now share on my page, @Sketchingmyjourney.

Getting here wasn’t easy. There’s no manual for building a business out of your passion, and I’ve had to learn everything by doing — failing, adapting, and trying again. The biggest challenge was learning to trust myself in a world that often wants you to pick just one thing. However, embracing my full, multifaceted identity — as an artist, a designer, and a thinker — has been my greatest strength.

I want the world to know that Alibombo is not just a brand — it’s an experience rooted in emotion, quality, and imagination. And with Sketching My Journey, I’m opening a more intimate space to share the deeper layers of my creative world. This story isn’t perfect, but it’s mine — and I believe it can inspire others to honor their own multidimensional paths.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love showing people the creative side of Florida, and luckily, there’s no shortage of beautiful, inspiring spots here. If my best friend came to visit for a week, we’d definitely kick things off with a trip to Design District in Miami — it’s like a living gallery. Between the architecture, the public art installations, and the vibe of the boutiques and cafes, it’s such an inspiring place to just walk, sketch, and absorb.

Then, we’d head to West Palm Beach. It has a calm elegance, with great spots for brunch, cozy art galleries, and beautiful coastal views. It’s where I go to recharge creatively. And of course, no trip would be complete without escaping to the Florida Keys. I love how time slows down there — the sunsets, the water, the tropical energy — it’s pure magic.

We’d probably spend our days jumping between art museums, coffee shops, and late-night talks by the ocean. I’d take them to Queued Up, a super cool spot with great vibes, and definitely plan some time for sketching or journaling in unexpected corners. For me, the best way to show someone a city is to let them feel it — and these places are full of feeling.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely — Alibombo wouldn’t exist without the love, support, and creativity of my family. From the very beginning, they’ve been an essential part of this journey. Whether it was helping me pack orders late at night, brainstorming ideas, or simply reminding me to keep going when things got hard, their presence has been everything.

My family helped me turn a dream into something real. They’ve believed in the vision of Alibombo— not just as a business, but as a space for imagination, design, art, care, and handmade excellence — long before it was clear to the outside world. That kind of encouragement is powerful. It builds you from the inside out.

This shoutout is for them: for showing up, for grounding me, and for always reminding me that creating something meaningful is never a solo effort.

Website: https://www.alibombo.com

Instagram: @sketchingmyjourney

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maría-alejandra-hernández-182745191/

Image Credits
Katherine Wood
@PawzPhotoStudio