Today we’d like to introduce you to Susana Moreno.
Hi susana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Susana P. Moreno. I’m the daughter of immigrant parents, and the proud product of a hardworking, ambitious family. My father came to this country as an investor to start his own company, and growing up, he was my biggest influence. A civil engineer by profession, my dad always had me around construction sites since I was a little girl. But even with the smell of fresh concrete and blueprints in my life early on, I was still very much that girly girl obsessed with fashion, design, and anything that let my creativity shine.
By the time I was a teenager, I knew architecture and interior design were my calling. But I didn’t stop there. In high school, I also studied cosmetology, entered competitions, and proudly brought home 1st Place Best of Show at State for the first time in my school’s history. At just 18, I earned my cosmetology license and became a hair colorist and MUA. My ultimate creative outlet and side hustle that kept me inspired.
Another huge passion of mine? Cars. Since I was a kid, I’ve loved car shows and Formula 1 with my dad. I got my first Mustang GT (a ’95) at the age of 15, and at 16, my dad gifted me a 2009 Shelby GT500, but only after I mastered driving manual, a strict rule of his. That mindset of “earn it first, then enjoy the reward” was something he ingrained in me early on, and it’s shaped who I am today. We spent many weekends on the track together once I turned 18 and was legally allowed to participate in track lessons and races. Learning to control high speeds, sharp curves, and simply understanding how your high-performance car drives became an obsession for me.
We moved to New Orleans for a time, and that’s where I earned my first Honors degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology. In 2020, I transferred to the University of Houston to continue pursuing my architecture degree. But during my first semester, my world was flipped upside down, my father passed away. That moment shattered everything. Emotionally, mentally, and financially, my family and I were hit hard. School became a blur, my dad’s company began to fall apart, and I suddenly found myself trying to be the glue holding my mom and younger brother together while keeping up with school, immigration status, and survival.
There were moments when I didn’t think I’d make it. Depression, anxiety, and burnout all hit me like a storm. But I kept showing up because I knew giving up would dishonor the very values my dad lived by. He was the reason I became an entrepreneur at an early age, and almost everything I know, I learned from him.
Today, I own two companies, one in architectural and interior design (Susana P Moreno Studios) and another in digital marketing (Silver Serpent Studios Inc.). It hasn’t been easy. Some days are smooth, most are tough, and there are still moments of doubt. But I’ve learned that consistency is everything. Keep showing up, even if it’s just for a little while. Ask questions. Question yourself. Grow through experience instead of waiting for the “right moment”, because that moment doesn’t exist.
Entrepreneurship is lonely sometimes. You’ll outgrow friendships, feel misunderstood, and face uncertainty often. But with every struggle, there’s a step forward. I don’t regret any part of my journey, because it’s all part of who I’m becoming. I’m beyond grateful for my mom and younger brother; we’re closer than ever, and for the support of my boyfriend, who’s also an entrepreneur and has guided me like a mentor in some of my toughest moments.
If you’re going through dark times, just know: it gets better. But only if you keep showing up for yourself. Keep building. Keep learning. Keep going.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. It has never been a smooth road for me; I’ve had to fight my way through almost every step. I’ve failed classes because of the weight of depression, and my GPA took a hit. When I finally gathered the courage to reach out for help at school, I was met with disappointing responses, basically just being told to pay for short therapy sessions I could barely afford. At my lowest, it felt like no one truly cared or could help, and that was a harsh but necessary wake-up call.
I had to learn quickly that no one is going to come pick you up and dust you off. You have to do that yourself. I’ve lost friends along the way, been backstabbed by people I trusted, and seen doors slam shut more than once. Sometimes, not even a window would open. But I’ve learned that if the door doesn’t open, you find a crack, a hole—something—to squeeze through. And if there’s nothing, you create your own door.
At the end of the day, you are your number one supporter. It’s on you to keep going, even when it feels like the world is working against you. That mindset has carried me through my darkest days, and it’s the reason I’m still standing and building. Looking back at where I started, I’ve come a long way. I’m proud of the growth, the resilience, and the strength I’ve built along the way. But can I say “I made it?” Not yet. I’d say I’m just getting started. This is only the beginning of my journey toward where I know I’m meant to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder and CEO of Silver Serpent Studios Inc., operating under the DBA Susana P. Moreno Studios. My business is built on dual passions: design and entrepreneurship.
Silver Serpent Studios Inc. specializes in digital marketing services, including website design, SEO, social media management, advertising, graphic design, and branding. I began this journey when I realized how much I loved helping businesses not only get started but look the part, refining their brand and creating a strong, professional presence. As a designer and a perfectionist, marketing naturally aligned with my skills. It’s like being the architect of someone’s business identity, shaping, refining, and building a brand that attracts and inspires.
On the other side, Susana P. Moreno Studios, formerly known as Moreno Designs, is where I focus on architectural and interior design services. We offer both residential and commercial design work, starting from conceptual design all the way through to detailed design plans and technical construction documents in collaboration with licensed professionals. While we don’t self-perform construction, we partner with trusted contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure every design is carried out with precision and care.
We proudly serve the Houston area, but we’re also open to projects across Texas including Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, as well as out-of-state or international opportunities.
What sets me apart is simple but powerful: my character, passion, and personal involvement. I work closely with my clients, always putting myself in their shoes to understand their vision and needs, even the details they haven’t thought of yet. I pour genuine passion into everything I do. For me, it’s not just about finishing a project, it’s about leaving a lasting impact and building something meaningful. I’d rather create something unforgettable than just collect a paycheck.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how both sides of my business represent who I am. Creative, driven, detail-obsessed, and committed to helping others bring their vision to life, whether it’s a space or a brand. I want readers to know that with me, you’re not just getting a service. You’re getting a collaborator who truly cares about the outcome and experience.
This is only the beginning of where I want to take both brands, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t like to rely on the idea of luck, good or bad. I believe everything happens for a reason, and most of what has shaped my life and business came from perseverance, not chance. That being said, I’ve definitely had moments that felt like incredibly bad luck. Losing my father during one of the most important turning points in my life felt like the world collapsing. It brought an overwhelming wave of challenges that many people would never see behind the scenes, financial pressure, immigration struggles, emotional breakdowns, and trying to hold my family together while keeping myself from falling apart.
But instead of letting that “bad luck” define me, I used it to fuel me. I turned pain into purpose. I had to learn the hard way that you can’t wait around for things to go right. You have to make them go right. If there’s any “luck” I’ve had, it’s been the strength and values passed down to me by my parents, and the right people showing up in my life at just the right time, people who truly supported me or believed in my vision. But I still believe that even those moments only mattered because I was already doing the work and showing up every day, even when no one was watching.
So if luck played a role in anything, it’s in the timing of the lessons and the people I’ve crossed paths with. But everything else? That’s been built through hard work, consistency, and never giving up even on the hardest days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://susanapmoreno.com
- Instagram: @susanapmoreno.studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Moreno-Designs/100085947744460/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susana-moreno-a652771a5
- Other: https://silverserpentstudios.com
Image Credits
Aria Signs (ariasigns.com)
