We were lucky to catch up with Alycia Moreno recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alycia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I founded Grace Rising with the conviction that every person, business, and organization possesses their own exceptional grace that can be captured and shared in a way that elevates and communicates their unique persona and message.

The idea originated from my passion for producing editorial-style visuals that evoke emotions in the viewer. Drawing on my experience in sales and marketing, along with a thorough comprehension of harnessing social platforms for ultimate success, Grace Rising has evolved into a media enterprise devoted to supporting our clients in achieving their objectives and triumphing in their respective fields.

At its heart, Grace Rising is a dedication to finding beauty in everything. We passionately pursue the essence of each client’s unique grace and translate it into stunning visual assets that accurately represent their brand and vision.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

When I was young, my Dad introduced me to his hobby of film photography. One day, when I expressed my boredom, he handed me his Nikon and instructed me to go outside and capture something that caught my eye. After the film was developed, he saw that I had taken a photo of a leaf floating in a puddle on the street with the cloudy sky reflected in the water. He praised me for the unique perspective and submitted the image to a contest in one of his photography magazines. Although the photo didn’t win any awards, the experience left a deep imprint on me. It wasn’t until many, many years later that I drew on that impression…

Fast forward, as a young adult I entered the workforce in advertising media sales. I worked in print media such as yellow pages, magazines, and newspapers, as well as in radio and online digital media advertising. However, I eventually left corporate media sales to stay home and take care of my young children. During this time, the iPhone was introduced and I started to capture the little bits of beauty that appeared in my day-to-day life. I got really good at editing these images until they conveyed the feeling I experienced when I took them. Being interested in fashion and lifestyle trends, I devoured magazines and honed an editorial style in my photography. Although it was still just a burgeoning hobby, I loved the opportunity to express my creativity on a daily basis.

In 2011, I downloaded a new app to my iPhone called Instagram. The app allowed you to apply film like filters to your photos and post them to a grid. Initially I didn’t realize that you could interact with other creatives, but eventually got the hang of things and entered an incredible, supportive community of other creatives. (I am still friends with the people I met on Instagram all those years ago when we were just sharing the joy and beauty of everyday.) All this to say, I was an early adopter of social networks in general, and it fueled my passion for utilizing these platforms to their fullest potential. Additionally, as a tech enthusiast, I eagerly read about emerging trends and best practices in the space.

When my chef husband and I started a catering business and then restaurants, my photography and marketing skills came together and blended perfectly. I strongly believe that ‘our phones eat first’ and I found great pleasure in capturing the dishes he created. This little philosophy propelled our business as I posted to our social media channels… the impact was tremendous! With this experience, I began to share my skills and knowledge with other small businesses, teaching them about best practices and how to produce high-quality visual content. As a result, my media business began to flourish.

Through the compilation of my experiences in marketing, advertising, social media, and photography, I have established an agency that helps businesses and entrepreneurs enhance their message and captivate their audience in a distinctive way. My passion lies in working with women entrepreneurs, although I am excited to undertake any project that challenges me to showcase my creativity and deliver outstanding results. This includes developing effective media strategies and producing engaging content for business owners, bloggers, brands, mompreneurs, restaurateurs, winemakers, life stylists, trendsetters, artists, and anyone else looking to communicate their message with impact.

Apart from my business services, my environmental Adventure Photography sessions have gained popularity among high school seniors, couples, and individuals seeking a distinctive California portrait experience. These sessions are designed to be both dreamy and adventurous, in a bespoke location and offering a moment of self-love and introspection, ultimately producing timeless images that can be treasured for generations to come.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As someone who frequently consumes content across various industries on social media, it can be tempting to fall into the trap of constantly comparing oneself to others. However, I had to challenge myself early on to shift my mindset and learn to appreciate the work of other creatives. Instead of letting self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy take over, I reposition my thoughts to find inspiration in their work and allow it to motivate me to improve my own skills.

The journey of the entrepreneur is fraught with second guessing, doubt, joy, pride, and burn out. Whether you’re positioned in a creative field or not, I like to say we “wake up and have coffee with our imposter syndrome everyday.” The journey is for anyone, but your faint heart will become emboldened in the process. Unlearning the game of comparison and leaning into the knowing that we all belong in the long game is a daily practice. Even as you gain years of knowledge and experience, there will still be moments of doubt. The BEST way to succeed is to find joy and celebrate small victories and to surround yourself with a group of supportive entrepreneurs to form a mastermind hype team. This support system can span across industries, but the foundation remains the same.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

If there is ONE thing that I can tell you about social media that has remained the same through the decades, it is that authenticity is the magic ingredient. Even as platforms and trends have come and gone, your unique and genuine voice is what will make you stand out and connect with your audience. If you’re looking for more guidance on how to build your brand and connect with your tribe on social media, I highly recommend reading “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us” by Seth Godin. This book explores the power of building a community around your message and passion. It’s a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and business professionals looking to establish their presence on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Sharing what you love and what brings you joy holds great power. Don’t shy away from sharing what excites you and what you take pride in, because it is ultimately what will catch the attention of your ideal clients. It’s important to remain consistent with your social media presence despite the ups and downs that come with it. Be prepared to ride the rollercoaster of social media, but keep sharing your authentic message.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gracerisingmedia.com
• Business email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracerisingca/

Image Credits
All images are my own: Alycia Moreno