In the picturesque Montecristi, where the sun gently caresses the palm trees and the wind whispers ancestral secrets, lived María Elvira López Mero (+), a woman whose hands were threads of magic. From an early age, she learned the art of weaving toquilla straw hats, a legacy passed down for generations in her family.

María Elvira, at six years old, took the straw with skill, weaving dreams with each stitch. Her childhood was marked by her need; being the eldest of her siblings, she became a weaver for the survival of her family. But what she started as a burden became her burning passion.

Her destiny took her on another path. At the age of 16, she left the classroom to form her own home with Pablo Ignacio Franco Mero (+), a man with a noble heart. Over time, her family grew with three children: Nelly, Naty and Pablo. But the departure of her husband left a painful void. María Elvira, bravely, decided that her art would be her salvation. She spends tireless hours perfecting each stitch, turning the hats into her allies in supporting her family.

María Elvira’s hats became her legacy, a symphony of history and skill woven into each strand. In Montecristi, her name resonated like that of a legend, an artist whose hats were more than accessories, they were works of art.

But his legacy does not end there, he taught his son the art of making fine hats Pablo Andres Franco Lopez (+) a very important fact that marked the next generation, one of his grandchildren, Bryan, a child with a spark of creativity in his eyes, he found in his grandmother a muse and a mentor. From an early age, she immersed herself in the world of weaving, learning the secrets from her grandmother. María Elvira saw in him the continuity of her legacy, the heir to her passion.

Pablo Andres Franco López (+), son of the famous María Elvira, Born in Montecristi in 1972, he was the only one of his brothers who immersed himself in the ancestral art of toquilla straw hats. After the loss of his father, his mother introduced him to the secrets of this sacred office.

Over time, Pablo became a prominent figure in the canton, specialized in the finishing and marketing of these hats. Inspired by his maternal legacy, he founded “Montecuador”, a venture dedicated to perfecting the production process.

Pablo was one of the best artisans in Montecristi, he dedicated his entire life to making fine hats, he gave life to his children, Bryan-Jamilet-Pablo.

Together with his wife, María Mero Pachay, he continues the family tradition, taking these artisanal treasures beyond borders, exporting the legacy of Montecristi to the entire world.

María Mero Pachay, born in Montecristi in 1972, personifies the essence of commitment and dedication. At a young age, she married Pablo Franco López, beginning a union that transcends the personal to become a family legacy. Together, they forged an unbreakable team, determined to continue the ancestral tradition of toquilla straw hats.

Over time, their home became a sanctuary of knitting art, where each stitch was a tribute to the legacy of generations past. María, with her strength and perseverance, was the backbone of this family enterprise, providing unconditional support to her husband every step of the way.

Her shared vision led them to pursue ambitious goals, always with the values of safety and quality at the heart of their company. Twenty-seven years of experience attest to her unwavering commitment to excellence and her fundamental role in the growth of Montecuador.

Her story is a living testimony to the power of love, dedication and determination to make the biggest dreams come true.

Bryan Franco Mero carries his family’s legacy with pride and determination. From an early age, his grandmother María Elvira (+) and his mother María Monserrate and father Pablo Franco (+) immersed him in the art of hat weaving, sowing in him the seeds of passion and commitment.

As he grew older, Bryan demonstrated an insatiable appetite for learning and an innate ability for business. His studies in foreign trade and computer science were the springboard for his foray into the digital world, where he found a platform to give a voice to the artisans of Montecristi.

Today, as Administrator Montecuador, Bryan has taken the brand to new heights, using innovative social media and digital marketing strategies to position it as a leader in the global market. But his commitment goes beyond profits; His vision includes the well-being of the more than 80 weaving families in Montecristi who depend on the company for their livelihood.

At just 28 years old, Bryan sees himself as a bridge between the past and the future, working tirelessly to preserve the artisanal traditions of his homeland while seeking opportunities to internationalize the company. He dreams of a future where his son, and generations to come, continue the family legacy, keeping Montecristi’s rich history alive and promoting fair and sustainable trade around the world. His passion and dedication are a testament to the transformative power of love of tradition and commitment to progress.