Mariela Henriquez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mariela, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me right now starts with taking certification courses. I recently became self-employed and want to continue expanding my knowledge in marketing and design so that I can better serve my clients. Then, I will jump into marketing strategy, creative production (graphics, video, or photography), or I might do some copywriting–whichever needs my attention first. I still take the time to have a proper lunch break with tea time right after for digestion and browse TikTok for the laughs. Typically I’ll end my work day with brainstorming content ideas for myself, or even filming and editing. To wind down from a long day I typically do Pilates–either on the reformer or at home, and make myself a refreshing smoothie for an easy end to the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mariela and I’m a Creative Director based in Miami, Florida. Originally born in the Dominican Republic, I have lived in the United States most of my life but I’m still very much connected to my roots. Currently I run my own agency focused on adding value to my clients’ brands, while producing content and executing campaigns. I began as a photographer over 10 years ago and eventually got into filmmaking, graphic design, and content marketing so working with me means you’ll have a creative partner that’s both creative and analytical. I’m currently working on creating a startup e-commerce brand for one of my clients, including logo design and branding, web design, and content production, while simultaneously acting as the head of marketing for a new spirits brand coming on the market in early 2026.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship I have with myself. As an introvert, I spend a majority of time alone with my thoughts. Naturally, I don’t have very many external distractions that can influence the way I think, how to feel and even how to act. I practice philosophy so it’s important for me to always self-reflect and make sure that I’m continuing to live by my own moral code. This has transformed not only how I see myself, but who I am entirely. I am more in tune with my intuition and I understand fully the reasons why things happen in my life. I do still struggle with my perceived value but the beauty of it is being surprised when I surpass what I thought was possible for myself.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time when I DID give up. After 9 months of trying to have a freelance career as a photographer, I quit and threw all my gear in a closet never to be seen again. I got in this rat race of doing spec photoshoots to build a portfolio so that I can attract the kind of client that I wanted. It was absolutely grueling work with no rewards and eventually I realized it wouldn’t matter how many more photoshoots I did, the life that I wanted was never meant for me. There were time when I went over a year without touching my camera instead I was focused on my day job and other life responsibilities. Now I find myself self-employed just like I wanted to be all those years ago, and I wish I had been kinder to myself. I was so hungry to succeed that I lost sight of why I ever fell in love with photography, and I forgot to enjoy the process. This time, I’m more accepting and more open to whatever comes next.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! I’ve never felt the need to pretend to be something that I’m not, simply because who I am is so different from most people. But also, I can’t really hide the fact that I’m a little awkward and eccentric.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know when I’m out of my depth when I have a small panic attack after accepting a project and having to learn new skills immediately. I once began a graphic design project without having any prior graphic design experience, and the first thing I did after they accepted the terms was go to YouTube University and learn how to use Illustrator. Eventually I got the hang of it and was creating work that I never thought would be possible for someone like me, plus the client was happy! If I had to choose being comfortable or jumping off the deep end and into something brand new, I would choose the latter every time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marielahqz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryellow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariela-h-763057239/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marielamaryellow
Image Credits
Mariela Henriquez
