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Who We Are

Tonas Wood México

Corporate Introduction

Tonas Wood Mexico was born with the purpose of transforming Mexican cultural heritage into unique pieces: hand-painted wooden watches and straps. Each creation joins tradition and design, becoming a symbol of identity and belonging for those who carry the spirit of our culture with them.

Corporate Introduction image

What makes us unique

We don’t make accessories, we create symbols of identity. At Tonas Wood® every piece is designed to transcend. Our hand-painted watches and straps don’t just mark time: they tell stories, transmit roots and turn tradition into a living legacy.

What sets us apart is not the material, but the soul that each artisan imprints on their work. That’s why every creation is unrepeatable and becomes a symbol of pride and belonging that connects Mexico with the world.

Why “Tonas Wood”?

The name reflects the union of two worlds: “Tonas”, inspired by the Mesoamerican worldview of Tonas and Nahuales, symbols of identity, guidance and protection; and “Wood”, the material that allows us to transform that essence into tangible pieces.

“Tonas” is the spirit that connects us with our roots; “Wood” is the living matter worked with respect and precision. Together they give life to creations that not only mark time, but also tell your story and honor where you come from.

Image about the origin of the name Tonas Wood

History

  1. The first attempt – Kickstarter (2017)

    In 2017, Tonas Wood® took its first steps with a prototype campaign on Kickstarter, the world’s leading crowdfunding platform. It meant weeks of intense preparation and sleepless nights. The campaign failed, and we understood that the world wasn’t ready yet for our proposal. But that first attempt made one thing clear: we weren’t selling an object, but a story with identity, and it pushed us to start selling directly at fairs and to our first customers.

  2. The second attempt – QVC United States (2019)

    In 2019, with a consolidated product and sales traction, Tonas Wood® was selected to participate in “The Big Find” by QVC & HSN in the United States, an opportunity that could place our brand in more than 80 million homes. Preparing each sample, racing against time and defending our proposal on an international stage was a titanic challenge. The result was not what we expected, but the experience taught us to compete in global arenas and strengthened our conviction that our vision could transcend borders.

  3. Third time’s the charm – Shark Tank Mexico (2020)

    In 2020, Tonas Wood® reached the Shark Tank Mexico stage. The experience was a turning point: we not only shared our vision with millions of people, we also convinced three of the country’s most influential investors. Bringing on board Arturo Elías Ayub, Rodrigo Herrera Aspra and Marcus Dantus was a success that validated our proposal and opened new doors for the brand’s growth. That moment reaffirmed that Tonas Wood® was not born from immediate success, but from perseverance, resilience and a passion for turning a vision into reality.

  4. From Mexico to the World Top 25 — University of Toronto (2025)

    In 2025, Tonas Wood® took a decisive step towards internationalization by being accepted into the Sam Ibrahim Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Leadership (SICIEEIL) at the University of Toronto —one of the top 25 universities in the world—, a business accelerator that supports high-potential ventures through mentoring, strategic resources and global connections. This alliance drives our growth in innovation and leadership, and opens the path to sharing the cultural essence of Mexico on a global scale.

  5. Official authorization “Hecho en México / Made in Mexico” (Sep 2025)

    Tonas Wood Mexico received official authorization from the Government of Mexico to carry the “Hecho en México / Made in Mexico” seal. This distinction certifies the origin and quality of our products and reaffirms our commitment to projecting the cultural essence of Mexico to the world.

History image — previous milestones
2025 milestone — UTSC / SICIEEIL
Official Hecho en México / Made in Mexico seal — September 2025

Our MVP

The origin of Tonas Wood® lies in those who seek more than an accessory: a symbol of identity and belonging. Our first step was a hand-painted wooden watch, inspired by alebrijes and enriched with cultural motifs from Mexico.

Every detail is a tribute to our roots: vibrant colors that evoke life, Zapotec patterns that preserve stories, Mayan numerals that connect with ancestral time, and craftsmanship that honors authenticity.

This Reloj Alebrije® not only met the need to wear an object with meaning, it became the foundation of Tonas Wood®: uniting tradition, design and legacy in a single piece that transcends generations.

Images of Tonas Wood’s MVP watch

Values

  • Authenticity

    Each creation reflects our roots and stays true to who we are, honoring our culture in every detail.

  • Vision

    We see opportunities where others don’t and open paths that connect tradition with the future.

  • Boldness

    We dare to challenge the status quo, taking risks that turn ideas into realities.

  • Perseverance

    We don’t give up: we learn from every attempt, grow from every fall and keep moving forward stronger.

  • Integrity

    We act with fairness, honesty and responsibility, because trust is the true value of our brand.

Community

At Tonas Wood®, a watch is not just an accessory: it is a symbol that unites those who seek belonging and cultural pride. Each piece connects people around the world who share the desire to honor their roots, celebrate their identity and carry a living piece of Mexico with them.

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Founders

MANUEL LEGORRETA

Chief Executive Officer

Leads the overall strategy and operations of Tonas Wood®: product and design, finance, manufacturing and supply chain, e-commerce and retail, customer experience, talent and partnerships. His vision has guided the brand’s growth from an artisanal prototype to a project with global projection.

ELENA LEGORRETA

Chief Marketing, Sales and Design Officer

Leads the omnichannel growth of Tonas Wood®, defining and executing brand, product and design strategy, content, performance ads, CRM and loyalty, marketplaces and wholesale. Her leadership connects the cultural essence of Tonas Wood with new audiences and international markets.

Our Investors

Leaders who believe in our vision and drive our growth

Arturo Elías Ayub

ARTURO ELÍAS AYUB

Investor · Media & Partnerships

Director of Strategic Alliances and Content at América Móvil; leads the TELMEX–Telcel Foundation and platforms such as Uno TV and Claro Sports. His vision in media and strategic alliances strengthens the projection and growth of Tonas Wood.

Rodrigo Herrera Aspra

RODRIGO HERRERA ASPRA

Investor · Health & Mass Market

Founder and Chairman of the Board of Genomma Lab International, a leading health and mass consumer company in Latin America. His experience in operations, marketing and standardization drives the international expansion of Tonas Wood.

Marcus Dantus

MARCUS DANTUS

Investor · Startups & VC

Founder and President of Startup Mexico and Managing Partner at Dux Capital, with extensive experience in innovation and venture capital. His network in the entrepreneurial ecosystem accelerates Tonas Wood’s expansion into new markets.

Future Vision

Our journey is just beginning. We will continue innovating in hand-painted watches and straps to bring the essence of Mexico to new generations and international markets.

Tonas Wood® aims to become a global reference in design with cultural identity: a brand that carries the soul of Mexico to every corner of the planet.

And the best is yet to come: new collections, collaborations and unique projects that will expand our legacy.

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Contact

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