Heloiza Martins and Rayssa Ferrete met waiting tables in New Jersey — and four years later, in 2024, turned a friendship into MARA.
It began with
a gift.
Heloiza grew up wearing crochet dresses lovingly made by her mother. One Christmas, noticing Rayssa's obsession with the ancient technique, she commissioned a special bag. The moment Rayssa unwrapped this handmade gift, they both had the same idea — and MARA was born.
And then came their mothers.
Heloiza and Rayssa's mothers were the first to join, finding in MARA the chance to begin new chapters of their own: the first hands, the founding artisans, the heart of all that followed.
to Ceará & Maranhão
It began with two.
Today, there are dozens.
Heloiza's mother became their founding artisan; Rayssa's mother soon joined. The circle has grown into a strong network of collective empowerment.
The circle keeps growing. And so does the story.