Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Mitchell.
Mia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At a very young age, I was introduced to the arts. With music and theatre being a strong passion of mine, the stage became a second home. As much as I loved the feeling the stage gave me, I had the desire to create it. Reaching up to my senior year, I found and created opportunities for myself that would help me grow as a creator and succeed in my college career. I joined more technical theatre courses, the school’s news production, and became the point person for any video and audio needs for events and productions. The drive to learn in creating field had really opened my eyes to what I wanted to do in college and thereafter. This was just the beginning for what’s to come.
In 2012, I attended The University of Texas at San Antonio after accepting the cap program for UT Austin. I needed to complete a one year program at a school in the University of Texas school system to transfer to the University in Austin. Little did I know UTSA was going to change my life for the better. Believing that my heart and mind was in Austin, I promised my mom to join at least one organization and make the most of my first year in college. A friend I knew before college that attended UTSA told me about the organization V.O.I.C.E.S. It is a volunteer organization involving the community, education, and service. You volunteer your time weekly and surrounded by beautiful like-minded colleagues to give back to the San Antonio community. I met so many people and made life long friends once joined this organization. It was one of the main reasons I continued my studies at UTSA. It was a long, hard process to accept the fact I was giving up my dream school, but I felt a purpose UTSA. In my sophomore year of college, I added a minor in Film Studies to my major in Communications. It opened a different side of creativity. During the meat of my college career, there was one professor that really took me on a roller coaster. In my last three years, I had to take a least one course each year with her. She had me re-evaluate what I really wanted to do with my life because what I set myself up for wasn’t it. However, through sacrifice, dedication, and really long discussions she became my mentor; in her words, her “golden child.” What I thought was black and white, became a color canvas in being a creator.
With the various courses of production and digital media of my whole college career, I needed something to get me started once it was all done. I purchased my very own Nikon camera as a gift entering my senior year of college. I immediately got to work. I extended my services of videography and photography as well as graphic design to organizations and colleagues. My experiences with different clients led me to my work today. What was once a hobby became one of my services to the community I live in.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
What’s life without lemons? Once entering adulthood, I struggled with the “next step” which made it easy to be comfortable in the life I was already familiar with. I later figured out my environment served me no purpose in that stage of my life. After moving to Los Angeles, I was giving more hardship to adjust to. My dreams to make it in the city were slim and easy to give in to. I reached a level of feeling I wasn’t doing enough in my brand and my craft. Refusing to let self-doubt take over, I reached out to a colleague that lived in LA as well, Donesha Winters – my lemonade was created. She gave me opportunities and motivation to grow in my field. For that, I am forever grateful.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Munoia Digital story. Tell us more about the business.
Munoia Digital includes, but limited to, photography and videography. It was curated in 2015 as just an outlet for photography services. As time progressed, I had opportunities creating videos, flyers, and logos for organizations, vendors, and individual clients. I am mainly known for my photography and that’s what my passion for creating has led to. Every photoshoot is an opportunity to create something different from that specific client. I take pride in my work and forever grateful for those entrusted me to produce such art.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
In the hand that was dealt, I’ve been pretty level-headed through it all. Every experience is a positive lesson – whether to keep at it or learn from the mistakes. Both have built a path for me to work with a range of people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.munoiadigital.com
- Email: munoiadigital@gmail.com
- Instagram: @itsjustmia_
Image Credit:
Munoia Digital
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
