Hello! It’s been two years since I’ve written my last blog post. I had to stop and think as to why this happened because writing is something that I truly enjoy doing. For as long as I can remember, as a little girl, I always had a diary. Fast forward to today, I have what I call my “big girl” journal that I started a little over 1 year ago.
When I started my blog in 2015/2016, it served as my own digital journal and space to share trends, fun topics, and whereabouts. I was working within a rigid corporate environment and blogging was my escape to be my true self. However in the last two years, so much has changed. And how could they not? We experienced a pandemic which is something I never thought I’d experience in my lifetime. We also currently have a 4-month-old, and the journey for her to arrive was another experience in itself. This past year, I was also working for not one but two agencies in the digital and influencer industry where I was devoted full-time. Balancing my personal life, work, and my efforts in entrepreneurship were tough and challenging (and still are). I also rebranded this blog Vanessa in Dallas and DFW Latina Society, a community that provides curated networking events for Latina-owned businesses in the DFW. While there are moments where I balance projects better over the other, what I do collectively bring me so much value and purpose in my life, and are part of what keeps me going. Enter in, my daughter Emma, who adds yet another layer of motivation for me. Let me know elaborate more on what I’ve been up to.
The Blog
I used to be a full-time blogger for almost 2 years. I was landing 5-6 paid partnerships per month, and that was enough to help me pay the bills and some. I remember realizing how incredible it was to be making a living out of something I worked so hard on and built from the ground up. I was living the dream, as things were going so well! Then the pandemic arrived. Of the 5 paid partnerships that I had at the time, 3 immediately got canceled. Just like that. It was tough on us on financial terms, and I quickly had to find a job. Luckily, I found a work-from-home job, where I spent the next year and a half working. It was just a job though. Not something I really wanted to do for a long time. So, when the time was right, I made my move. My real desire was to work for a Digital Marketing Agency so that I can learn and grow within the field. In case you didn’t know, I have been in the marketing space my entire career, and it wasn’t until I started this blog that I learned about marketing digitally. This is an area that I did not study in school, nor did they offer it at the time. I am self-taught in this field.
I landed my first role as an Account Executive with whom I thought was a reputable marketing agency in Dallas. Working for a digital marketing agency was the exact “schooling and teaching” that I needed to grow. I quickly learned that agency life was extremely cutthroat, and you either sank or swam. However, being the determined person that I am, I decided to stick it out as much as possible. Not to mention, I was pregnant at the time. Regardless of my efforts, I was unfortunately let go. Being let go hit me the hardest because I was no longer thinking of myself, but of my baby that was coming into our lives. After I got let go, I decided not to pursue a job in the corporate space, but instead focus on my next move while enjoying the little time that I had left in my pregnancy, as stress-free as possible.
I took a pause on the blog because the pandemic brought a lot of the unknown first and foremost, in addition to having to find full-time work, becoming pregnant, my experience of working for an agency, then taking the time to become a mom. That’s a lot in the last two years if I might say! I’m glad to be back and write again. This time, I feel that I may approach this blog anew, adding personal touches that otherwise you would not have known or see on Instagram or Facebook.
DFW Latina Society
In 2017, I put together a brunch amongst Latina Bloggers in the DFW. I wanted to simply connect with other like-minded women who looked like me and were pursuing similar goals. From that one meet-up with a group of 12 women, began our Facebook community group as well as an Instagram account dedicated to the Latina bloggers in DFW. I would create networking events and workshops centered around starting a blog, but didn’t really have goals to monetize or make it a true part of my life. That wasn’t until the pandemic arrived, where a sense of community and relationship building, is what we all needed more than anything. It was during that time that I realized I needed to rebrand, to reach wider audiences of Latina entrepreneurs in DFW and not just bloggers/influencers. I worked with an amazing graphic designer and got to work on changing the vision./mission of this community. The newly rebranded name became DFW Latina Society and this coming February 2024 will be two years.
Earlier this year, DFW Latina Society was honored to be selected as part of an Accelerator program with TWU. Accelerator programs basically aim at pushing you to get more done with growing your business in the shortest amount of time, and offer a plethora of resources and assistance. You come out of there with new connections and a stronger mindset on how to grow your business. I am so grateful to start off the year with a group of women who are go-getters and women I personally admire. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, while also teaching me the areas that I need to focus on to grow my business.
This year, the networking events have been more intentional, bringing more value to those that attend. We even were able to obtain a sponsor through Frost Bank, which has allowed me to bring on an awesome intern, who is helping with aspects of DFW Latina Society as well as other projects. Their support has opened doors for this community, and I look forward to seeing this part of my entrepreneurial journey unfold.
Entrepreneurship
Capturing content for Chic n Gold at the Lumen Room in Dallas.
While I just mentioned DFW Latina Society as part of my entrepreneurship journey, I also created a second business. Yes, I have two businesses that I am operating at this time and they certainly fill my cup. After I was no longer working for the marketing agency, I took some time to reflect. While things did not work out with the agency, I knew that I am certainly capable of continuing to learn and grow within digital marketing despite it all. By this time, I was even more confident to approach new clients and market myself because of the skills that I learned.
With the support of my husband, family, and faith in myself (you have to believe in yourself if you want to start a business!), I decided to start Luna Digital Co. officially in April. I am open to working with all clients and currently have clients that serve in retail, pr, and marketing. I am providing social media and influencer marketing services as well as small events such as sip-n-shops. These are my 3 biggest strengths when it comes to marketing, and I’m so happy that in the little time that I’ve launched, it’s gone well thus far.
My goals are to have a small team, each of us taking on clients to work on their respective services and provide strategy. I truly love this space and I hope to get certified in Digital Marketing before the end of the year with the American Marketing Association online certification.
Personal Life
Emma came into our lives on February 1st, 2023, during an ice storm. I am glad our little girl came in when she was ready, but damn during an ice storm? Really? Yes really. I will save our birth story for another time. Emma has been the light of our lives, and the highlight of our year. I don’t think she’ll ever fully know just how much we prayed for her and how much she means to us. Even though she took a while to get here, there is a small part of me that is grateful for that experience because I appreciate her more. I also feel more mature in this part of my life, so even though some people consider me an ‘older mom’, I think if I would have started to have kids at a younger me when I truly wasn’t ready, I don’t think I would have been the best version of myself.
Today, I am confident, I know what I want in my life, I am driven, I know the direction I want to go in career-wise, and I show up. I show up for her every day, and I also show up for myself. I am mentally so much stronger. I think my mind and thought process has been the biggest growth over the last two years. As new parents, we have made mistakes, but I don’t even fret about them.
After the first week or two of Emma's arrival, I bought Ivan and me something small to celebrate the great job that we were doing. So far, I pick my battles when it comes to stress and worry over Emma. For instance, I have had to learn to trust Ivan and have confidence in him that he can take care of her just as well as I can when I’m with her. This trust has helped me be able to get out of the house without worry. I know there there are some mom’s out there who might feel as if they are the only ones that are able to take care of their babies best, and that has not been the case with us. We have had to learn to work together. I am blessed to have a good partner and a good dad to Emma.
I balance my work by waking up by the sound of Emma moving, which has been usually anytime between 4am-6am. I feed her, and then I put her to bed. I then hop on my laptop, and work until about 9:30am, sometimes 10am. Take a short nap, and wake up when she wakes up again which is around 10:30am or 11am or so. Then I care for her all day while Ivan is at work. Ivan gets home around 3:30 or 4pm and then I go to the nearest coffee shop from 5:30-9 or 9:30pm. I do this a few times during the week and whatever I was not able to finish over the week, I work on during the weekend. This is the schedule that has kept me afloat. I anticipate my schedule to change the earlier Emma starts going to bed. For now, this is what is working for me and has kept me grounded in not losing my identity to motherhood.
I very much enjoy the work that I do and didn’t want to completely stop when I become a mom. I know there are some mom’s out there who want to mom 24/7 and it’s fulfilling. I need a little bit of both, work and motherhood to fill my tank.
Other news that deserves space on this blog post, is that over the past year, we have been dealing with my dog of now 17 years, Ginger, and her diseases. We love her so much and we will know when the time is right to say goodbye. We literally have not traveled much at all so we can be near her in case something happens. My biggest fear is to be on a vacation and have the dog sitter deal with some major decisions. I will forever be regretful if I am not with her until her last days. This gives me even more of a reason why working from home is best for me at this time, and pursuing entrepreneurship.
Where I am today
Branding Images captured by The Createness for Luna Digital Co.
With about only 6 months left in the year, I am inching closer to my goals every week. My goal to get certified in digital marketing, and growing my businesses is definitely a marathon. I am currently looking for new clients who want someone to help them with their social media marketing, provide influencer marketing services, or want to reach their clients/customers with small events. I am also looking for sponsors to help fund the DFW Latina Society so we can continue to grow and provide resources for Latina Owned Businesses. However, just like when you put away small amounts of money here and there into a savings account, over time it grows. That is the same way I am approaching my goals. Chipping away at them every day, knowing the bigger goal is nearing.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! I would love to know how you have been, and hear your feedback or thoughts. I want to continue the blog to stay connected with those of you who are family, and friends, and have supported the blog all these years. I appreciate you and thank you always!