We recently had the chance to connect with Isa Martinez and have shared our conversation below.
Isa, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I’ve been enjoying surf skating. I used to skate when I was younger, but I wasn’t really good at tricks. Now that I’m in my 30s, I discovered surf skating thanks to a friend, and I keep it in the trunk of my car. Whenever I have some free time, I go surf skating—whether it’s at a park or on an empty random street.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Isa Martinez, and I am from Cali, Colombia. I have lived in Miami since 2007. I am married to a wonderful guy, and I have two kids who aren’t really kids anymore—lol.
In 2017 I decided to start a nonprofit organization called Dreams Hatchery, where we donate art classes to children in need in our community. I have a project called As I See Myself, where we are building a mural from the self-portraits of those kids. The idea is to give them a voice and raise awareness about human trafficking and child abuse. So far we have 558 self-portraits, and our goal is to reach 1,000.
When the pandemic hit, I opened my house as an art studio for kids. I did it mainly for my kids, but some parents started asking if I could teach their children too. I saw this as a good opportunity to create a safe space not only for my kids but for other children as well. I had a very special student who used to call my house wonderful, and he drew a paper island for me called Miss Isa Wonder. Weeks later, my daughter—who was seven at the time—wrote a song called “Not All Who Wonder Are Lost.” Then everything clicked: all the kids and adults who came to my house had the same awestruck reaction when they entered, so I decided to name my studio Wonder All Around.
Last year I moved into a beautiful studio (so I don’t teach at my house anymore), but I try to maintain a wonderful space that inspires and is safe for everyone who comes in. I still get the same reaction from people and kids, and that makes my heart full.
I love to teach kids, and I love to see them grow. Now my son and daughter are teens, and some of the friends they made at my studio back then have become part of our family.
Since the pandemic, all the Dreams Hatchery projects slowed down, but now we offer scholarships for our classes and provide low-cost options for the kids in our community. I know how hard it is to pay for extracurricular classes for our kids, so our doors are always open to help families in need so they can take one of our classes for free or at a low cost.
We don’t only teach art anymore; we also offer ukulele, singing, and theatre.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was younger, I suffered from depression and heavy addictions, including heroin. I was haunted by thoughts of death and often felt that humanity was cruel and mean. I was very emotional and empathetic toward others, especially kids and animals, and I think that sensitivity contributed to my depression starting around age eight. I remember first thinking about dying then. By age twelve I began using drugs, and by fourteen I started using heroin, which led to five overdoses. Remarkably, someone was always there to save me—once a homeless man, another time a taxi driver, a young couple, an old man, and even a warlock.
My mom tried everything to help me, from top rehab centers to witchcraft and New Age approaches. None of those really worked until she started attending a Christian church, and before coming to this country she forced me to join a spiritual retreat. That day I had an encounter with God, and everything in my life changed for the better. Not only did I get free from withdrawals, pain, and addiction, He restored me completely and gave me hope, faith, and a new desire to be alive. I was 18 by the time that happened.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep dreaming! Those dreams are going to become reality
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I try to be me at all times. I find it hard to fake it because my face doesn’t help anyways, and I think it’s easier just to be myself and not pretend to be someone else. That would be too much of a hustle.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want my life to reflect my faith, so that people remember me for loving God.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wonderallaround.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isadreamseveryday?igsh=djl6YnBtaGY5MDU3&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/wonderallaroundus?igsh=MWlxaHJpZzg5Zmo1dw==
