Today, we’d like to introduce you to Liz Gomez.
Hi Liz, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My story has been incredibly non-linear. As a Taurus and someone who always wanted to have “a plan” for how my life went, I have been learning that I can’t plan my life.
My lesson for the past 5 or so years has been to “go with the flow.” I began wanting to be a filmmaker and then quickly learned that I am a multi-creative and I truly thrive when I allow all of my creative outlets to shine. I have also learned that it’s okay to have multiple titles because my skills are transferable.
I wrote 2 poetry books and became an author. I am a filmmaker, and within that identity, I learned I shined at producing, writing, directing, and assistant directing. I picked up a camera and became a photographer. Then, life happened, and I had to do a quick reset and become an educator!
Beforehand, doing all of this made me feel like I wasn’t good enough and as if I couldn’t succeed because I had so much going on. It took me some time (and some coaching) to realize that having all of these skills made me indispensable.
I also coach other creatives through my coaching program – Creating with Confidence. It has given me purpose, and I get to do all the things I love while showing others that they can pursue any and all of their passions.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh, man! The road to the life I have been wanting to build for myself has definitely not been smooth. I come from a low-income, immigrant household where I am the first in my family to have a career. Being the trailblazer is hard because there is no footprint to follow or anyone that I can go to for advice or direction on a lot of things. My motto has been, “I’ll figure it out,” and I’m glad I do every time.
However, through the struggles, I have had incredible mentors who have paved the way for me in other ways. The struggles have also shown me that I CAN do anything I set my mind. It may be harder and take me longer sometimes, but it helps me clearly understand what I want and don’t want. It has also given my sibling permission to chase their dreams. My proudest moment has been seeing my teenage brother pursue music and I’m so happy that he has me as a support system in creativity.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I honestly specialize in being a multi-passionate creative and not tying myself to one single practice. As I mentioned earlier, I am a filmmaker, author, photographer, creative director, and educator. I want to be known for my openness to step into different roles.
I am also super proud of myself for my creative coaching business. Seeing my clients succeed in their passions is MY passion. The confidence that they gain in themselves while and after working with me is my favorite part of the business. I get to be their motivator and that is one of my favorite hats to wear.
For example, one of my clients who felt unsure of how to grow his photography business ended up applying for a grant and winning! Through this grant, he set up a 3-day photography festival in South East LA that was free for the community and allowed Latinx photographers to expand and showcase their skills. Seeing the festival come to fruition from just an idea was incredible. It showed me first-hand how much positive change we can make in our communities when we help and push each other to be the best we can be.
I think what really sets me apart from others is my love for collaboration and motivation. I like to call myself a “positive regañona,” which translates to “positive scolder.” This pretty much means that I will tell my friends and clients the hard truths they may not want to hear, but always with love and motivation behind it.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor or networking is to be the first to reach out and find YOUR community. Also, use all of the resources you have at your hand. Social media is a huge one for me!
I love using Instagram to find artists and creatives that I find inspiring. Every time I have moved to a new city, I reach out to creatives that I have been following who may live in that city and ask to meet for coffee or to create. It has not only led to job opportunities but mainly to friends.
My rule of thumb is that if you want to find a great mentor or grow your network, do it with folks who actually inspire you and whom you like as a human. Don’t just reach out to someone for what they can do for you business wise. People can sense genuine energy, so go into every new opportunity, being yourself.
Also, if you have the means to hire a coach, go for it! Coaching will allow you to have someone who can give you one-on-one attention and truly help you see where you shine the brightest. If you are looking for a creativity coach, reach out to me! I love working with new clients, and to me, the financial aspect comes last, so I really try to work with my clients and what they can afford.
I provide payment plans because I know that creatives don’t always have the finances right away, and I never want that to be the reason why someone doesn’t ask for help. Especially BIPOC creatives.
Pricing:
- Creative Coaching is $3000 for 3 months of coaching. I also offer payment plans!
- Film and photography prices vary by client and project. My lowest price is $300 for a photoshoot.
- My books can be found on BN.com for $20 each!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/thelizgomez
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelizgomez/
Image Credits
Alexandro Zamora, Paula Critchton, Benjamin Abaya, Elizabeth Gomez, and Angelica Saucedo
