Today we’d like to introduce you to Paloma Diaz
Hi Paloma, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story actually starts off when I was about in middle school. To paint you a picture – my dad at this age would pay me to read business books and give him a mini report as a way to further educate me outside of school. At a young age I never knew why he did this but looking back at it now, I understand that he wanted to make sure I had not only a business mentality, but tools and strategies to manage business partners, potential clients, friends, etc. As I grew older I always kept the habit of reading business books, even though my dad no longer paid me, and by the time junior year of highschool rolled around it was time to seriously start thinking about what I wanted to do as a career. I wasn’t really sure what that would be for me but I knew a couple of things. 1) I was passionate about my Mexican heritage and culture, 2) I loved anything and everything business, and 3) I started to take an interest in social media and how content was taken in by the masses. When I graduated highschool I decided on not going to college and instead entered the workforce. I worked at a call center for 1 year, which taught me an immense amount about people in general. I was then offered a job at an aviation trade show company in November of 2019. It was also at this time where I discovered TikTok and really started to mess around with posting videos and take note of what videos would go viral and why. I started to post a little here and there about clothes and some dancing trends (as I also started to dance a little more at the age of 18). I landed the job in the aviation trade show company and started on the first day of 2020. The future looked bright for me as I would be working under the CEO and founder of the company, but then COVID hit. It was a weird time for all of us and while trade shows were being canceled left and right, I started to post more on TikTok. My videos started off being about outfits that I would put together with a spanish song in the background. People would then start to request that I dance to certain songs and then later on to make tutorials for them. In early spring of 2021 I was laid off from the aviation trade show company and was depending on government stimulus checks and collecting unemployment, since no company was hiring at that time. It was also at this time that I posted even more on social media, sometimes up to 7 videos a day. Later that year I was rehired at the company and slowly realized that I was being underpaid and doing more work than I ever did before, and as my social media started to pick up and gain more traction, it was hard to balance my 9-5 with the world of being an influencer. Not only did I have to travel for the company that I was at but I missed out on a lot of events, had to deal with a toxic work environment and so much more. It was in November of 2022 that I made the decision to quit and become a full time content creator. The first year of being a content creator was rough and I had to really grind and do other side jobs, like manage other small businesses pages to make ends meet, but we made it work and applied everything that I had learned in those business books I read so early on in my life. In June of 2023, I had decided to start a podcast. I didn’t want to just be known as a dancer but I also wanted to spread the knowledge I had with all those business and people books I had in my brain, and have deep and inspirational conversations with people that could also offer a lot to teach. In March of 2024, the owner of COSIGN offered me the position to be Chief Creative Director of La Vida COSIGN (COSIGN’s latin branch). I immediately jumped at this opportunity as I really wanted to work for a media agency that is for the people by the people. Through this opportunity I was able to further my desire of putting the latin community “en alto” as I like to say it and provide programs and events to network and learn more about the business world. I am thankful for every single thing that has happened this far into my journey as I believe that each step takes me closer to what I want out of life, and now we are here, still learning and still growing.
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 most definitely has not been a smooth road, and I’m glad it hasn’t. As I believe one learns more when things don’t go exactly as planned. Two struggles that stick out to me are 1) learning how to manage business finances and 2) learning how to carry yourself in a room full of business people and make the most out of meeting different people. Both things were not taught to me in school so I had to learn by doing and failing and of course learning from those failures.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a full time content creator in the Mexican/Latin niche. I am most known for my dancing and dance tutorials. The thing that sets me apart from others and what I am most proud of is that through my content I always make it a point to only radiate positive vibes. There’s enough negative energy in the world already so I always do my best to not be a part of that. I am also the Chief Creative Director of La Vida COSIGN. A media company that is committed to empowering, educating, and uplifting the Latino community through the power of media.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
There are a lot of books out there that have helped me out personally and professionally. I would have to say any Robert Green book is amazing, and as far as podcasts go, the Colin and Samir podcast is a huge help especially if you are a creator.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paloma.diaz.rivas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paloma.diaz.rivas2/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@palomadiazrivas
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@paloma.diaz.rivas
Image Credits
Hey Felicia
Tunnel Vision Pro
Xochitl
Acuna Portraits
