Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kay. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My background is in Advertising and Graphic Design, I graduated from UH in 2009. I’m first generation Mexican American and the first in my family to graduate.
I received my diploma right in the middle of the 2009 recession, I applied everywhere and with no leads decided to pursue career options in NYC. While in New York, I paved my career working at various ad agencies, which lead me to a five year career at L’Oreal USA. At L’Oreal, I focused on social strategy and content development. I did everything from planning social calendars, building influencer partnerships, to working on commercial sets managing models and producing content. It was surreal, and at times challenging but it gave me the tools and knowledge I have today as it relates to building and growing a brand.
Fast forward to today I now live in Los Angeles and focus on freelance work along with growing my own brand, Latinas Poderosas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When you start a brand, you are 100% doing everything and any/all expenses are coming out of pocket. Things can quickly add up; domain fee’s, trademarks, promotional collateral, event fees, it all adds up!
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stretched way too thin but staying inspired and driven is the key to growing your brand.
Latinas Poderosas – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Latinas Poderosas is a brand I created after being laid off. I was left with two options; get another 9 to 5 or take a break and follow my true passion. I opted for option 2.
LP (Latinas Poderosas) is a platform that focuses on empowering Latinas by highlighting both past and present women who have made a positive impact in Latinx community, women beyond Selena and Frida.
Growing up I never saw powerful women I could relate to, in textbooks, no one really looked like me or sounded like me, their stories were foreign and I yearned to learn more about my culture, and other women like me. I knew these stories existed; I just couldn’t find one place where I could learn about many.
Using the social media skills I had learned while working at L’Oreal I decided to create my own page on Instagram where I could house the many stories of powerful Latinas I discovered so others could also learn about them too.
What makes me proud? Getting DM’s and comments from women all over the world thanking me for creating the brand or simply thanking me for creating such a positive space for our community.
What sets you apart from others? The space I created is meme free. It’s not focused on only highlighting women in the limelight or feeding into the stereotypes of Latinx community.
I look forward to growing the brand, hosting more events and empowering Latinas in the Houston area.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I don’t see digital media going anywhere anytime soon, on the contrary, I see it expanding quickly into new formats and platforms.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinaspoderosas/
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.
