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

Alright, Jilsa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/ artistic path professionally was when I was a sophomore in high school and debated the idea of being a creative writer. My school had this writing competition and had a prize if you won first place. So I decided to take the competition seriously to see if I could make it as a writer. So I spent hours developing drafts, revising, and getting advice from my English teacher. It was the first time I had actively created something from my imagination to physical form. After a few weeks of submitting my final draft, there was an announcement at the end of school announcing the winners, slowly starting from fifth place to first place. Honestly, I wasn’t paying attention because I’m never the type to win a competition. It wasn’t until they had a long pause prepping to say who won first place that I paid attention and then announced my name as first place; I remember seeing everyone in class staring at me and my teacher congratulating me. It wasn’t an exciting competition, so there was no cheering or high fives. It was a very mild moment. But I was in shock and so proud of myself; it showed me how much I could turn my imagination into reality. I was ecstatic, and I became determined to create things. After changing my career choice many times after that, what I’m doing now, still translates that same feeling of wonder of putting my ideas within my head into something tangible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, my name is Jilsa Manayala. I am creative and the founder of The Manastudios, a creative industry, where I help other creatives with upcoming campaigns and album covers or give marketing advice. I have always wanted to be a creative director, so I started Manastudios to help me learn more about the creative industry and apply my knowledge to help other creatives. My task is usually to make their business campaigns more tangible to make into a reality since creatives tend to think about putting their work out, but that is where I come in help make their projects more profitable. Some problems I solve for my clients are social media marketing and SEO, business design, price points, and business structure. What sets me apart is that I know how creatives think, so I can relate to them and guide them step by step in making changes within their brand to be more profitable and have a business mindset. I am most proud to see my clients understand how to make their work a brand and a business and make their campaign ideas their reality. I want my potential clients to know that when I work with them, I’ts a collaboration. My industry isn’t only a place for you to get your task done, but you have more knowledge and confidence to be more business-minded. But when I am not doing The Manastudios I am just another creative artist.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

A particular goal driving my creative journey is to have an established brand. I would love for my agency to grow, have its building and collaborate with more creatives and invest in fundraisers for creatives in churches, schools, and orphanages. My ultimate goal is to have a program for children who always wanted to be in the creative industry but their standard of living wouldn’t give them a chance to, and the program would ultimately fund them and guide them in making a mark within the industry. As a child of immigrant parents, I never thought it was acceptable to do something in the creative sector because I thought I could never really make a living of it rather than being a doctor or dentist, but after I figured out that I love creating and creating meaningful thing with people and that it could be equally profitable should me that other people with backgrounds like me can have that same dreams.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is getting your vision in your head and making it a physical, tangible thing for people to enjoy and be inspired by what you create.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanastudios_/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jilsamanayala
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themanastudios/featured

Image Credits
Paula Rodriguez, Alaska Gonzalez, Sydney Zuehlke