Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Diaz.
Hi Julie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
For years, I worked hard to stay in my comfort zone. Said no to opportunities and new experiences if they inconvenienced me or disturbed my bubble. Everything was safe and comfortable, but there was no growth, and nothing was fabulous happening. I was stagnant, and I was ok with it. But deep down, I knew there was more to life than that life I was designing for myself.
In 2019, everything changed. My bubble was burst, and was FORCED to make changes. BIG Changes. My marriage ended, and I was laid off within months of each other, and suddenly, I had lost all the comfort and safety I was too afraid to leave on my own. My closest friend said to me, “You’ve been playing it safe, and look where that left you. What do you have to lose?”
Everything in my life came crumbling down and needed to be rebuilt with a new foundation. I realized that if I didn’t take a chance now, I would always wonder what would have happened if I had.
So, I took a big risk and hired myself and started my business. It was scary and exciting. A chapter full of uncertainty but also promise. I was way in over my head but determined to succeed. I was handling two big life milestones when Covid hit. So again, life gave me yet another opportunity to practice believing in myself. My business was immediately put on pause, and I had to hop back into the job market. But I was more determined than ever to make a new life for myself. I knew in that moment that I would really need to put all my trust in my faith to get through these “unprecedented times.”
Ironically, the isolation gave me the space I needed to heal some of my wounds and triggers as well as write a new narrative for myself about what I was capable of. That time in quarantine gave me a chance to purge all the habits, behaviors, and belief systems that had kept me in my comfort zone. It gave me time to build that new foundation. Juggling single motherhood and entrepreneurship during COVID not only strengthened my faith but also my self-esteem and confidence that that season of life required.
Fast forward to today, my business not only survived but is thriving, and I completely rebuilt my life by releasing and forgiving the version of myself that kept me comfortable, creating new and enriching experiences, and taking bold risks. I am beyond grateful for the tough times that challenged me and built my character. That chapter of my life gave me the opportunity to put into practice who I said I was.
Through the twists and turns of life and entrepreneurship, two things have remained the same: My faith and my belief in myself. I am encouraged every day to say yes to growth and show my family a victory no matter what circumstances come our way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, it’s been anything but smooth sailing, both in my business journey and personal life. But it has been so worthwhile.
In the realm of business, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. From the uphill battle of building a solid client base to wrestling with the ever-elusive task of managing cash flow effectively, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. And let’s not forget the curveballs thrown my way, like navigating tricky project hurdles and keeping up with the fast-paced changes in the market.
There were moments when throwing in the towel seemed tempting, but I decided to invest in myself. Seeking guidance from a coach turned out to be the biggest game-changer. His wisdom and encouragement helped me navigate the murky waters of entrepreneurship with hope and a newfound sense of confidence.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Embracing rejection and failure. These have been the hardest pills to swallow because I had to admit that I did not have all the answers. And that I created the mess I was in. Now I don’t have anyone to rely on for support and I didn’t have the backing of a big corporation to bail me out. It was all on me. I’ve stumbled, made mistakes that cost me, and even had a few close calls that left me questioning everything. But you know what? Those setbacks? They were blessings in disguise.
I learned the hard way that fear of rejection keeps you from taking risks. Fear of failure keeps you from trying new things. Both keep you thinking and feeling small. And for me, especially in the entrepreneurship journey, I had to embrace both of these If I was going to survive. I needed to learn to handle rejection with grace, and if I was going to fail, I needed to fail as fast as possible. And learn how to get back up after that. Failure became a gift that made me see the kinks and fix them. Failure helped me improve. Rejection kept me humble but determined. Both encouraged me to learn to always stay ready and to understand that everything is a practice and there is always a lesson to be learned.
By reframing rejection as a chance to learn and failure as a steppingstone to improvement, I’ve built up some serious resilience.
Today, things are not perfect, but every stumble taught me something new and pushed me to bounce back stronger than ever.
So, while the road hasn’t been smooth, each bump along the way has shaped me into who I am today. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At Luxe Media Works, we specialize in simplifying out-of-home advertising so you can focus on your business’s success. Imagine having a vision for your campaign but feeling overwhelmed by the logistics. That’s where we step in. From concept to installation, we handle every detail with precision and ease.
Picture this: You have a campaign ready to launch, but you’re not sure where to start. With Luxe, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Our team handles everything from media buying and graphic design to print and installation, ensuring your vision comes to life timely and seamlessly.
We work with world-renowned brands as well as small and independently owned brands that just hit the market, so you can rest assured that no matter where you are in your business, your project will be handled with the care and attention to detail it deserves.
When you choose Luxe, you’re choosing peace of mind. Whether it’s a local campaign or a nationwide initiative, we’re here to make it happen smoothly and stress-free. With our expertise and dedication, you can trust us to deliver results that exceed your expectations every time so you can get back to running the show.
What makes you happy?
What makes me the happiest is spending time with the people I love. Life is one of the longest things we will do, but it is also so incredibly short. And Time is something we can never get back.
So, what makes me happiest is creating exhilarating experiences that make me feel alive, engaging with people who inspire me and make me feel like I can be great, and being generous with people and life-giving activities that give my life meaning and purpose.
A warm cup of coffee on a cold and rainy morning. A good night hug and a kiss every night from my daughter. Connecting with my partner in ways that make me grateful we met. Volunteering at my church and showing up for others in their dark times. Fresh flowers. Sunday Brunch. Exploring my beautiful city. Hearing my daughter tell me all about the core memories she’s making. Talking to my son and hearing all about his adventures in the Navy. Learning new things. Laughter and half-empty bottles of wine with my closest friends. These are things that make me happy because they make my life so rich.
Contact Info:
- Other: hello@luxemediaworks.com
Image Credits
Lupita Gutierrez
