Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Gonzales.
Hi Brianna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started during my senior year of college at Texas Tech University. I was struggling with finding an internship in the advertising/marketing field, so I decided to just create my own opportunity, and from there, The Social Chica was born. I started off creating logos for local woman-owned businesses and helped a bit on the social media management side. After I graduated, I received an offer to work at a local Digital Marketing Agency in Dallas, so I took it and worked there for a little close to two years. I still ran The Social Chica on the side and took on a few projects just as a side hustle. However, I knew my heart was 100% there, and it was something I wanted to pursue but never had adequate full time. It wasn’t until a few months ago where my time at the agency came to an end, and I just decided to take a leap of faith and focus solely on The Social Chica.
I now offer brand and marketing consulting services. I also began hosting pop-ups featuring local Latina-owned businesses. Our first event was in April and completely sold out. We featured 15 vendors. The next pop-up in June will feature over 30 businesses! My events also feature one local non-profit that we host a donation drive for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not! Marketing is constantly changing. Therefore you must constantly be learning. The world is changing by the second, so it’s like as soon as you feel you have something figured out, you begin to realize you’re actually behind. It’s important to stay dedicated and disciplined, which has been something I’ve had to quickly learn, especially when running your own business. There are also obstacles with confidence. It’s difficult and a bit scary times to take a leap of faith but the best way I try to look at it is, everything I’m doing now is an investment for my business and my future self.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in offering marketing services to women-owned businesses. However, I’ve found a majority of my clientele are Latinas. Most of the businesses are just starting out and new. I would say I’m known for my services which include logo creation, marketing workshops, and branding. And of course, The Social Chica pop-ups. I also make shirts with the intent to empower women. My most popular tee is the one that says “minding my woman-owned business.”
I’m proud of the women who have trusted me to help them on their journey. I’m also proud of those who believe in themselves enough to invest in themselves and their business. I think what sets me apart from others is I don’t pretend to be an expert in my field. Marketing changes by the second, so how could anyone truly be an expert at something that constantly changes? I also like to voice my truth that just as these business owners are on a journey of learning how to run their company, so am I!
Social Chica’s mission is to empower, inspire, and provide a community for minority women who are looking to grow in their professional and personal lives. We are a voice and resource for young Latinas, encouraging them to become the highest and best version of themselves. We believe in investing in the success of Latina-owned businesses and women.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
What’s worked for me is putting myself out there more. Never be afraid to get your name out there because you never know where it can lead you. You never know what kind of connections someone has. I’d also say attend events that are within your niche. It’s a great place to start.
When finding a mentor, it’s extremely important to find someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed. And to find someone who won’t just give you the answers you want, but who will challenge you to find the answers on your own.
Contact Info:
- Email: thesocialchicaa@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.thesocialchica.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialchica/
Image Credits
Event image: Desiree Vera Portrait shots: Jonathan Gonzales
