Adi Elcida Hernandez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Adi Elcida , 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 ince breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have the desire to chase anymore. I think for a long time I put a lot of stress on myself to be a successful entrepreneur. The moment I let go of the things that no longer served me and gave myself grace is the moment I stopped being so bitter and the right doors started to open.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Most people call me Adi. For a long time I’ve been the type of person who wears many hats. I worked as visual merchandiser/wardrobe stylist for over 15 years. This job allowed me the flexibility to also work on pursing a career in music with my band Modern Mimes for the past 9 years as well as other creative endeavors. I have had the pleasure to work as a hair model for brands such as Matrix, Wella, Clairol, and Redken. During the pandemic I also started a side hustle, Popples, baking and selling vegan cupcakes. I dabble in photography and recently won an award for a music video I created for Modern Mimes. I recently got into producing my own events that bring music, fashion, and the black sheep’s together. Ultimately I like to keep my hands busier than my brain and staying creative has served me and hopefully others who see my work. I will say that as an artist it has been incredibly difficult to garner respect especially when it comes to finances. Over time I found there were a lot of things about this lifestyle making me really unhappy so I surrendered and let God redirect me. A really great job was presented to me as an Assistant to the Director at an iconic waterfront park in Miami. At first, it seemed like a completely different world that was foreign to me and I was quite confused by this complete 180 but the more I’m there the more at peace I feel and I realize I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I would say that my grandfather was the first person who taught me the most about work simply from leading by example. He is an entrepreneur himself. When I was a child he owned a jewelry store. He treated his staff like family because most of them actually were, but besides that he has always been a kind and hard working man. It was my very first taste of working. I would sweep the floor, windex the glass, and organize the jewelry displays which came in handy later in life as a visual merchandiser. I have fond memories of going to the jewelry store. Before I would leave my grandfather would give me money for the job I did. He taught me the importance of valuing the people who work for and with you.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I use to pray for strength so it’s no surprise that I was met with many struggles. Not to be overly dramatic but as someone who has been living with an autoimmune disease and battling with depression since I was 9 years old I had to decide from a young age whether I was going to let that defeat me or drive me. Suffering taught me to appreciate the little things, to treat every moment like it could be my last, and fight for what I want even if I feel like I don’t have enough in me. Success cannot teach you brain to not be depressed, suffering has taught me to always see a bright side.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I use to believe that my happiness wasn’t a priority, that I had to make a lot of sacrifices to be a successful artist. To a certain degree I still believe certain sacrifices must be made to achieve almost anything in life but the fact that I sacrificed my happiness was such a costly thing to do. At the end of the day no one gains anything when inside your bitter and vibrating at a lower frequency.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
If there is one thing I pride myself on most, it is that I always give whatever I’m doing my absolute best whether anyone notices or not. The moment I loose passion and feel like I can’t give something my best is the moment I step away from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://modernmimes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmimes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernmimesmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50szWUFuc5Y0DWeBzG4BAg
- Other: https://www.funkyardempire.com/
https://www.facebook.com/popplesbakery/
