So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hi, I'm Ana Beatriz Muñoz Ruiz, I was born in Veracruz, raised in Mexico City, and later built a home and started a family in Cancún, México.

Now based in Austin, Texas,

I'm the founder of Altarxito, a line of products honoring Mexican culture and creating opportunities for meaningful remembrance and more.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

I love to live in Downtown near the Lady Bird lake. It is to live in both worlds at the same time, big city and nature place.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

I create tools to help heal the loss of the people or pets we loved.

My connection to Día de Muertos is personal. Having experienced the profound loss of dear

family members and friends, I has always turned to the tradition of building altars as a way to reconnect with my loved ones — to feel their presence, remember their essence, and share their stories with my family and friends. And now that I'm living abroad, the tradition also help me to connect to my heritage, beloved home, family and friends all over the world.

I bring this perspective into every aspect of Altarxito. Whether curating an altar or collaborating with designers, I draw inspiration from nature, the colors of Mexico, and the vibrancy of Mexican life. Altars are deeply personal expressions and, with Altarxito, everyone is invited to add their own creativity and care to make their altar unique and meaningful.

Altarxito gives you the opportunity to remember your loved ones with love—recalling how they were with you, what they ate and drank, their hobbies, and even their little quirks.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

Do it with all your passion, knowing that you are solving a problem or genuinely helping another human being.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

She had lost a daughter and was grateful to be able to set up an Altarxito with her grandson—to talk about the things her daughter (his mom) used to do when she was a child, how he remembered her, how she used to correct him, and the meals they enjoyed eating together.

Where do you see your company in the future?

In stores in different countries

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

There are people who think that the Day of the Dead is to honor death and this is completely wrong. The celebration is to heal our hearts and remember our loved ones with affection. In fact, the skulls of this tradition are smiling, they are not trying to scare you.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

The most difficult thing has been creating a product from scratch, for a celebration that is seasonal. I'm still learning how to make it more efficient.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I love all the music artists of the 80s. It was an incredible time. U2 is one of my favorite groups. Thanks to them I went to my first concert in a stadium, in Madrid. Right there I could also listen to UB40 and Pretenders.

Regarding athletes, when I was little I was impressed by the gymnast Nadia Comaneci. The swimmer Michel Phels motivated me to take swimming more seriously. Currently seeing tennis players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play is a treat.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

To my parents, sisters, brothers and cousins. They have been a fundamental part of my first phase of my life. Currently I also recognize my children as my motivation and happiness in the second part of my journey in this world.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

In the website https://altarxito.com/ I will love to I would love for your readers to follow me on Instagram and to also be able to hear from them https://www.instagram.com/altarxito?igsh=MTl6MThtMjR4cGIxcg==