We're launching our new section, "Dominican Brands with the Soul of Larimar," with a brand that perfectly embodies what we want to tell: Mina Ro Mina. At the helm are two extraordinary women—Wendy Salcedo, Dominican, and Erika Ponce, Mexican—who have united cultures, dreams, and resilience to transform jewelry into a universal language.
Mina Ro Mina's strength lies in the alchemy between Erika's creative energy and Wendy's Caribbean sensibility: a perfect balance that has taken the brand far beyond its borders.
His fate was sealed in Jerusalem
where a pair of earrings united their paths forever. It was no coincidence: it was the beginning of a creative and spiritual partnership that would eventually become Mina Ro Mina.
Erika Ponce, creative director and founder, creates pieces inspired by nature from the depths of her soul. In 2020, the brand landed in Santo Domingo thanks to Wendy Salcedo, with a wonderful debut before Dominican high society. Since then, Mina Ro Mina has not only shined in the Caribbean: it is sold in the United States and has also reached the Middle East. We're talking about jewelry on a global scale.
The road wasn't easy. Opening their first physical store in Mexico City and facing closure months later due to a global pandemic was a tough blow. But they knew how to adapt, making the leap to the online channel, and discovering that each channel has unique value when combined with strategy and focus.
Erika Ponce and Wendy Salcedo
Like so many women,
They have faced enormous challenges: opening a global business, becoming mothers in the process, and reinventing themselves amidst uncertainty. At every step, they transformed difficulties into resilience and purpose. They had the support of their partners, who reminded them of the essentials: “Remember that Mina Ro Mina has to make you happy and excite you. Have fun and enjoy the journey.”
That vision led them to ask their clients directly what they felt when they wore a Mina Ro Mina piece of jewelry. They all responded the same way: "We recognize our own light, our essence, our unique beauty." This confirmation showed them that their jewelry was fulfilling its mission.
Each piece is handmade by artisans
Mexican experts in working with silver and gold, inspired by vital moments that make us resilient. Like the orchid: delicate and strong at the same time, capable of being reborn only from its roots. This flower—present since the firm's first workshop, Casa Mina—symbolizes that constant rebirth, like a phoenix that both founders carry within.
Wendy Salcedo's story is also a testament to transformation: after a brilliant career as a stockbroker in New York and being the first female stockbroker at one of the country's most important brokerage firms, she decided to leave behind more than 20 years of financial experience to dedicate herself to what she always loved: jewelry. Erika Ponce, for her part, found in Wendy the courageous partner to make her dream a reality: Mina Ro Mina.
Throughout the interview, one thing was constant: joy, a smile, strength, energy, and respect. That's part of their essence. Although their jewelry is a true jewel for women, they themselves are pure inspiration: two passionate women fulfilling their dreams. There's nothing more powerful than seeing someone live what they love.
Mina Ro Mina doesn't just create jewelry: she creates stories of transformation, resilience, and inner beauty. That's why, at Larimar City, we celebrate having them as allies and friends. This story is just beginning, and we know it will continue to shine with the same light with which it was born: that of women who live what they love.
By Macarena Perona
Assistant to Director
Larimar City & Resort