CIELO — My Story
Hey friend, welcome to the story of one woman's ten-year journey. CIELO means “heaven” in Spanish. My Guatemalan momma has called me “Cielito” since I was little (it rhymes with yellow). That nickname became my mission: to create heavenly things that comforted. You see, I've always been one of those super-sensitive types. The world was rough for me. Maybe you relate.
I grew up in Cedar Rapids during the 80's and 90's. Not much culture and art, especially in my Catholic school. My mom instilled in me a love of the ballet, museums, fashion (she let me design my own dresses), music, and old movies. Yearly trips to Guatemala were a refuge for me. I so deeply connected with that culture, and with the plants and animals and Catholic cathedrals and sweet people. Did you know Guatemalans are known for speaking in a very cutesy way? Hence the name Cielito. Everything is cute and little.
Fast forward to 2001, when I was 23 and living in NYC (shoutout Long Island City and East Harlem). 9/11 happened a few weeks after I moved there. Inspired by the strength, love, and creativity of New Yorkers, I began teaching myself to draft patterns, sew with library books and a used sewing machine, and working with gorgeous sari fabrics I found around my neighborhood. The Pakistani women in Long Island City were my foster mothers.
Fast forward to me at 38 in Iowa City. Just a few months prior, I had been blessed with sobriety from alcohol after 25 years of heavy drinking—and I was catapulted into new world of creativity and momentum! Very Alice in Wonderland. While in much-needed treatment at the University of Iowa, I was given an art class as our recreation. My heart rejoiced. I could create! I bought the domain name, and CIELO was born.
An angel named Karen, who was working in a shop in Kalona, heard me say that I like to sew, and invited me to sell items in her shop. First, I drafted and chose simple, beautiful patterns for children's clothing and self-care goods. Japanese sewing books were my jam, after having traveled to Tokyo years earlier. I decided that soft pastels and luxe, soft fabrics are my thing. My baby clothes, 50's inspired cotton dresses, and new product Moon Warmers were a hit. Then, I applied to local markets and expanded to more boutique stores in the area. At every market, I reinvested back into the business, and one day I was able to hire local seamstresses to help me. That changed everything.
When the pandemic hit, my seven-person sewing team and I jumped into action, sewing and shipping out thousands of cotton face masks—because community comes first. I was able to donate hundreds to nurses, hospice centers, and nursing homes. My masks were sensory-friendly, breathable, and soft.
From 2016 to 2023, I ran a nationwide wholesale operation, shipping out the Moon Warmers™ and custom self-care goods to other boutiques across the country. Then came my first baby: in Fall 2021, CIELO Coralville opened in the Iowa River Landing district in Coralville. I shared a wall with Anthropologie! In Fall 2023, Tom and I planted a second flag on the Ped Mall in Iowa City.
Now, inside the CIELO shop in Iowa City, Iowa, you’ll find soft and comfy clothing, self-care luxuries, quirky gifts, and sensory-friendly products, mostly from other small operations tun by women across the United States. Our signature Everlasting Jewelry + Charm Bar (yes, you can make it permanent or removable now). Come take pics, hang with your besties, soak in the magic. Create beautiful memories.
I’m Mónica Ferguson (creative director, founder, owner)—and my husband Tom joined full-time in 2023, taking over the day-to-day, as a post-Covid illness had weakened me. Today, I get to run CIELO from the comfort of my home. Thanks for supporting this Latina-owned business, where we believe small shops will rule the world, kindness wins, and weirdos like us belong.
— Much love, Mónica