Vesta Garcia (Hartman)
It is with the deepest sadness that we mourn the passing of Vesta Garcia who died after living with ALS for four years on March 16, 2018. Vesta was a mother, wife, friend. Entrepreneur, creator, advisor. Vesta was the founding Executive Director of the BCIA and in many ways, one of the mothers of our industry as we recognize it now.
Before she led the BCIA, Vesta ran Peppermint.com, one of the first online retail options for baby carriers. She imported carriers from around the world, bringing in styles now common to the North American market. When demand outmatched supply, she created her own brand, Ellaroo. Her next industry initiative was as Executive Director of the BCIA. Her volunteer hours far outmatched her paid hours in those early days, when the existence of our fledgling trade organization was a constant hustle. Her vision for our organization was one of cooperative pursuits over competition, under the premise that many voices as one can achieve great things. This outlook has lived on as a core tenet of our organization.
Vesta was laconic, direct, and wickedly funny. She showed up when it counted and insisted on being heard. If you’ve produced, sold, or used a baby sling or carrier, Vesta was instrumental in bringing this product to market in North America and spearheading the standard that keeps them in circulation. Out of industry crisis Vesta’s level-headed, Texan no-nonsense “there’s no such thing as a sling emergency” approach prevailed. While petite in person, when she left the BCIA she left big shoes to fill. Not one to sit still, Vesta went on to create Little Day Dresses and then Stitch Texas, another endeavor that lives on successfully after Vesta gave it wings.
Vesta was deeply loved, appreciated and respected by all who knew her. Her presence influenced so many in this industry on a professional and personal level. Our heartfelt condolences are with her family at this time.
If you wish to make donations in Vesta’s name, please support ALS Association of Texas or any of your local secular groups that provide assistance to the homeless.