Building XOLO with Heart, Craft, and Community

Edith Medici de Biron has lived in Shanghai with two schnauzers and a Weimaraner – Ernesto José, Emilio Mario and Antoine – for nearly a decade. Edith's entrepreneurial career stemmed from personal experience, cultural pride and a desire to create something important with pets, craftsmanship and community. She enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family in Mexico.

Before we discuss XOLO, could you please introduce yourself?

I'm Edith Medici de Biron – born and raised in Mexico, and I've been calling Shanghai home for the past 10 years. I'm a proud dog mom to Ernesto José, Emilio Mario and Antoine (two schnauzers and a Weimaraner). I'm passionate about pets' well-being, love to travel, read and spend as much time as I can with my family in Mexico.

Why did you start your business in Shanghai?

I adopted my first dog, Nicolás, about a year after moving to Shanghai. He was a senior dog and truly the best companion I could have asked for during nearly three wonderful years together. Because of him, I started connecting with other dog parents, and that's when the idea came to life – combining my love for pets with my passion for Mexican arts and crafts. I wanted to support local Mexican artisans and share my culture through beautiful, one-of-a-kind pet accessories.

Each product is uniquely crafted by Maya indigenous people in Mexico using locally sourced materials. This brand bridges my Mexican roots with Shanghai's cosmopolitan flair, supporting fair trade and celebrating culture, compassion and creativity.

What makes Shanghai's business environment so remarkable?

Shanghai is a melting pot of cultures, ideas and opportunities – the perfect city to make your dreams come true. There's something happening on every corner, and it's easy to meet like-minded people who inspire you to keep growing. It's a city so full of life that it encourages you to take risks, chase your passions and try again, even if you fail.

What were you trying to bring to the local community?

I want to share the vibrant colors and rich culture of Mexico through beautiful, handcrafted, fair-trade, one-of-a-kind pet accessories. One of my favorite things is walking around the tree-lined downtown and spotting pets proudly wearing XOLO pieces – it fills me with joy every time.

What are the biggest challenges setting up a business here? How do you stay motivated?

The biggest challenge is definitely the language barrier. Sometimes, what you plan to accomplish in a day ends up rolling over to the next day because so much time is spent translating or trying to understand documents. My best advice is to have a trustworthy Chinese partner, friend or assistant who can help you navigate those moments when communication gets tricky.

What was the moment that made you most proud?

I feel truly blessed and fulfilled every time we help a pet find a loving home, especially when I see them later, living their best life and, of course, looking fabulous in their XOLO accessories. I also love when clients return years later to purchase new designs and share how impressed they've been with the quality of our products. Moments like these remind me why I do what I do.

What are you working on?

At the moment, I'm working on expanding the brand to Europe. I want to share a little bit of Mexico's joy and color with pets and their owners around the world.

Who is the female role model who has inspired you?

My grandmother is my favorite woman in the world. She's always taught me to make a good impression wherever I go, reminding me that before people remember my name, they'll remember where I come from. I'm also a huge admirer of Jane Goodall – her work inspires me and reminds me how deeply connected we are to nature and how important it is to do our part to protect her.

Do you have any advice for women entrepreneurs?

My advice would be to always try and be brave enough to go after your dreams. As women, we need to believe in ourselves and remember how valuable we are. Surround yourself with smart, kind, fabulous, strong, funny and creative women who inspire you and encourage you to listen to that little voice in your head that says, "Let's try."