We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Diez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Maria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I truly enjoy being a Creative! And yes, I do sometimes think about what it would be like to have a regular job again. I personally have had many job titles in the last 16 years of my life and I feel that all of those titles with its duties were parts of my life that I needed to live through and learn in the process of building who I am today. Becoming a creative full-time has not been as glamorous and easy as one might think it is. Being a single mom running my own home can get stressful at times, but I know if I quit then, my journey and efforts invested would have been a loss and I would be taking a huge step back. This isn’t a 9-5 job with weekends off, you work around the clock and learn to create your own work life balance. So again, yes at times I think “why don’t I have a regular job”, but I seriously wouldn’t trade this for anything else. Doing what I love and what brings me joy & passion is more satisfying than any other job has made me feel in my lifetime. I have learned to make this work for me, my family and my lifestyle, and I couldn’t be happier.

Maria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

So, I have always had a thing for food haha, you can say it’s been my “niche” in life. I grew up with it, around it and learning about it. Whether it was through my family, my job in nutrition, or my hobby in teaching myself how to cook from the age of 10. Food has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I even slightly remember my dad using me as his taste tester when I was really young when he cooked at a high-end restaurant here in Miami. So I always knew that working with food somehow was to be a part of my future, I then combined it with my love for photography and people skills to start my IG blog while I was still working a 9-5. I used my skills combined to get myself into the foodie world and eventually fell in love with the idea of becoming a Full-time creator to share with my new following and fans. Sharing about local spots, local brands, and small businesses was what mattered the most to me. Speaking to the community about all these awesome and delicious spots is what helped feed my page and my desire to keep letting the world know (or at least those who trusted and followed me) about all these options that they as locals or visitors had. Eventually I began working with some of these spots as a content creator or Social media manager helping followers see what they offered, follow their journey and come in to experience their dishes and services. I also began expanding my creator skills and working with other brands, moving into some product photography, which is another service that I offer as a content creator. My page reflects my beliefs 100%.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?

The journey! Seeing the client’s reaction at the end and the support of those that follow me is the best of feelings, well if they are positive of course haha. Since I began a couple years ago so much has changed and evolved in the industry, but I’m not hating it. I mean a few things we could do without, like this messed up algorithm. But overall, the growth that I have had and all the new tools I have gained and new people I have met are what have helped me in my journey of becoming a better creator, and this is what’s been the most rewarding.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I feel like my goal or mission is forever evolving. What I wanted two years ago is slightly different from what I want now, but not entirely. I want to use my platform to help businesses and brands, while also providing useful information for my following. Providing the tools for others to find what they might be looking for. Creating a story for local businesses that use my services and providing a different view on things that might benefit others and myself. Using my page as a creative outlet while still helping others that I trust and believe in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miafoodlove/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Miafoodlove
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=sLEcjqccXFRa4_aYRP4AGw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@miafoodlove

Image Credits
All Images are mine