We recently had the chance to connect with Paisley Fernandez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Paisley, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am most definitely wandering. lol. I do not have any super specific plans or set goals in life. To a lot of people that probably seems unstable or undetermined, but I actually feel quite the opposite. When I first graduated college a little over four years go and had to make some real life decisions (where do I want to live?, what career do I want to start?), I felt really behind and lost because I did not have specific plan or people just telling me what to do anymore. Over time, as I let go and let God, I started getting many opportunities in all different parts of my life; things that I would not have had if I was mentally stuck to a super narrow path in my mind. Wandering through life and not needing to be so in control has helped my mental health tremendously. I understand I am on my own path, even if I do not know what that path is.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I am Paisley Fernandez (@waizley to many), a native Texan and UH Alumna. I am a model, entrepreneur, marketing professional, and many more things… I want to be a jack of all trades and a master of many!! Lots of my work has centered around fashion, sustainability and the everchanging cannabis and beverage industries. I try to make my work fit into my natural lifestyle as often as possible and promote brands and products that I actually like and use. Currently, I am working on getting an MBA from LSU (geaux tigers!) and I am in the process of creating a cookbook series focused around cannabis infusions.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned the most about work, and specifically my industry (marketing/business) from my professors in college at University of Houston. They are some of the most inspiring people I ever got a chance to learn from! I had a professor that created Mattress Firm, a professor with Med Spas all over Beverly Hills, and a professor that inspired me specifically to pursue marketing as a freelancer. There were so many professors with all different backgrounds and businesses that they ran. This showed me that I could do whatever I set my mind to, including random things and pursuing ideas you wouldn’t naturally think of. It taught me the importance of thinking outside of the box within marketing and entrepreneurship.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think my own fear of being perceived as imperfect holds me back the most. In this aspect I do not mean looks, but usually I hold myself to a higher standard when it comes to ideas or things I want to do that are outside of the box. I always want things to be super polished before showing it off to the world and sometimes this leads to me putting myself out there less.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really admire Jane Goodall; I think her character ADDS to her power! I recently read one of her books, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times. It was so inspiring how she cares about nature, animals and children: the same things I feel drawn to naturally. She spoke for those that can’t always speak for themselves, the innocent.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I hope to accomplish everything I dream for in life, but if I do not that is completely fine, I am content with how far I already have come. However, some things that I would really like to do before I die is to go to Europe, see the Aurora Borealis (preferably from Norway), become a mother and one day go to Disney. Most things I want in life are travel based.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://waizley.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waizley/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paisleyf/
Image Credits
Wileephotography, Rene Perez,
