Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia.
Hi Alicia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from the University of Miami in 2017 with dreams of becoming a copywriter at a top ad agency, I quickly discovered that navigating Miami’s job market without speaking Spanish posed some real challenges. But instead of letting that limit me, I leaned into creativity—and that ended up changing everything.
Living in Brickell at the time, I filled my unemployed days taking photos around the city and sharing them on Instagram, right at the dawn of the influencer era—back when “social media manager” wasn’t yet a career path. I even created a music video parody to a popular song where I sang about needing a job. I figured if I kept creating high-quality content, I’d either grow a following or attract a brand that needed help managing theirs. That’s when The Brickell Scoop noticed my photos and offered me $100 a week to run his page. It felt like gold.
As I grew that account, we began collaborating with local businesses, hosting events, and even partnering with global names like Hennessy. The experience sparked something in me—and soon, I launched a similar community lifestyle page for my hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. What started as a fun side project exploded into something much bigger: I became the most prominent lifestyle blogger in the city, and nobody even realized I was running it from 1,000 miles away. Ultimately, I sold the page to somebody who lived in the New Haven area and shared my vision for its growth.
Fueled by that momentum, I later launched a Miami-focused page of my own: Miami Unleeshed. Covering such a dynamic city while juggling other client work has been a challenge, but it’s a passion project I hope to continue scaling.
Eventually, I transitioned into full-time marketing work, joining the team at Xennial Digital—an innovative tech company specializing in VR and AR. I traveled internationally showcasing extended reality solutions, soaking in experiences that sharpened my creative and strategic edge. But that entrepreneurial spark never left.
I attempted to launch my own agency a couple times, but without a roadmap, I fell short. I went back into the real estate marketing world, worked with top-producing agents, and eventually scored my dream role as Digital Marketing Manager at Groot Hospitality. I was responsible for the digital presence (websites, email, local SEO, ticket/table sales) of Miami’s most iconic venues. After almost two years, I realized I was ready for something more.
That same day I left Groot, I was hired by E11EVEN as their Marketing Manager. It was an incredible opportunity and taught me a lot—but once again, I felt the pull to build something of my own.
This time, I went all in.
I sold my car. I invested $10,000 into a business coaching program that taught me how to scale from a scrappy freelancer to a legitimate agency owner. I worked 12+ hour days to build my dream from the ground up. If I didn’t make it in 6 months, my only choice was to move back to CT with my parents, and I was not going to let that happen.
Today, I’m proud to run Creativity Unleeshed, LLC—a Miami-based creative marketing agency that helps bold brands show up online with scroll-stopping, thumb paralyzing content that actually converts. “Unleeshed” represents more than just a play on my nickname “Leesh”—it’s about creativity without limits. It’s about thinking differently, showing up boldly, and refusing to blend in.
My agency offers full-service content creation (both UGC and business-branded), retainer social media management, paid ads, local SEO, email marketing, guerrilla/ambient campaigns, and in-person marketing activations. While our core focus is the restaurant, hospitality, and real estate industries, we’ve worked with everyone from lawyers and insurance agents to wellness brands, entrepreneurs, and even a museum.
What started as a passion project with a $100/week paycheck has become a thriving agency where I get to be creative, strategic, and unapologetically myself every single day. And the best part? I get to help others do the same.
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?
Definitely not. The road has been anything but smooth—but every challenge taught me something invaluable and brought me closer to the business I always dreamed of building.
I tried to start my agency multiple times before it finally stuck. I’d quit my full-time job full of ambition, ready to go all in—and then reality would hit. I didn’t have systems. I didn’t understand sales. I wasn’t bringing in income. So I’d go back to a 9-to-5. It became a cycle. Even though I had my LLC on paper since 2019, for years it was just a side hustle, quietly holding space for a dream I didn’t yet know how to build.
To break the cycle, I had to make real sacrifices. I sold my car to invest $10K in a business mentorship program. I moved in with a roommate. I stopped going out, stopped spending, and worked 12+ hour days, just to give myself a shot at finally doing this right.
Even after landing clients, the learning curve didn’t stop. I’ve had clients ignore my strategy but blame me when their DIY method didn’t yield their expected results. I’ve been ghosted by people who seemed excited to work with me, and strung along by those who were never serious. I’ve dealt with contractors who overpromised, underdelivered, and left me to salvage the relationship with my client.
But one of the hardest parts—something I wasn’t prepared for—was how hard it would be to prove my value as a small, youthful looking woman in this industry. I’ve been underestimated in rooms full of men, spoken over, second-guessed, and not taken seriously. I’ve had conversations where I thought I was pitching a service, only to realize the other person was just trying to flirt. I’ve been in meetings where it was clear I was being judged more for how I looked than what I brought to the table. I even lost a business partner due to a consensual relationship I had in my personal life—something completely unrelated to that business partnership. The truth is, that situation would’ve never been an issue if I were a man. It was a frustrating but eye-opening reminder of the double standards women face, especially in business. I’ve had to learn how to hold space, set boundaries, and assert my value without apology. Some days I have to wake up and decide to put my anxiety to the side and do what needs to be done.
Sales didn’t come naturally to me—I used to dread pitching myself. But I had no choice but to get good at it, which is still a work in progress. I’ve also had to develop strong time management and leadership skills, because the work always takes more time than you think, and if you’re not careful, your business can run you instead of the other way around.
I still have a long way to go and will encounter countless more struggles, but I take each struggle as a lesson that’s helping to shape my business into the one I’ve always wanted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is that I didn’t fall into social media—I chose it.
Honestly, I know it might sound harsh, but a lot of people get into this industry because they weren’t really great at anything else. They already know how to use Instagram, they figure anyone can take a photo, and that’s enough.
Lots of “influencers” in Miami buy fake followers and create mediocre content, then use artificially bolstered stats to scam brands into giving them money. They’re not “influencing” anybody, and It makes my blood boil because they’re ruining the industry for everyone else, not to mention the brands who shell out money and see no return.
I got into social media because I’m good at it. I’ve been making videos since I got my first camera in 7th grade. This has always been more than just a job—it’s my craft and my passion.
People love to throw around the term “scroll-stopping,” but it’s lost its meaning. Generic “get ready with me” videos or photos of a model holding a product don’t stop anyone’s scroll. I’ve edited myself falling from the sky, cloning myself, pulling off my own head, climbing into a shoe and driving away, and snapping my fingers to make things appear. Skills that have taken years to learn and perfect. I treat video editing like art, and strategy like storytelling.
From content creation to general marketing, I’m known for approaching everything from an unexpected angle. I never stop at the first idea that comes to mind—because if it’s the first idea I thought of, it’s probably the same idea everyone else had too. I love the challenge of taking a problem and crafting a solution that’s not only innovative, but visually unforgettable.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a business that allows me to stay true to that vision. I get to be both the creative and the strategist. I get to help my clients stand out, not just with flashy content—but with storytelling that sticks in peoples heads and keeps my clients’ brand top of mind.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’m passionate about connecting people and collaborating with others who share a vision for bold, original work. I know I’m not meant to do everything alone, and I don’t want to. I love teaming up with people who bring different strengths to the table. Whether you’re a fellow creative who thrives on big ideas, or a business owner looking for a creative partner to bring your brand to life, I’m always open to building something powerful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativityunleeshed.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bye___alicia is my personal IG and instagram.com/creativityunleeshed is my business IG
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bye___alicia
Image Credits
Samuel Diaz
