We recently connected with Zayda Rivera and have shared our conversation below.

Zayda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I launched Mindful Living with Z in 2019 with the intention of being a support to people on their spiritual journey. Since launching, I’ve been Blessed to work with hundreds of people from all walks of life and from all over the world as a spiritual coach, meditation guide, and Reiki Master.

In 2023, I wanted to create a special retreat for women of color. A short getaway intended to give them a break, tap into spirituality, heal, and find balance. I was inspired to host the retreat after visiting the island of Puerto Rico, my ancestral Motherland, in February with my mother and two sisters. I saw the retreat unfold during my meditations and dreams, and I knew it was a higher calling that I had to answer. I’ve been an event producer since 2016 so, I tapped into those skills and created the Summer Luna-Sol Spiritual Retreat. Summer, Luna, and Sol are the middle names of my three children. With complete detachment to the outcome, I began marketing the retreat, and hosting free information workshops to explain what attendees would get out of their investment. After one month of promotions, my first spiritual retreat was sold out! People immediately started reaching out about when the next one will be because they were disappointed to miss out on this year’s retreat.

I am so excited to host this amazing group of women this August in Puerto Rico, and learn from the experience so I can make it even bigger and better in 2024 and beyond!

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.

I run two business: 3L Communiqué, an event production and talent management company, and Mindful Living with Z, a spiritual wellness brand. After working as a journalist and editor for more than a decade in New York City, I launched 3L Communique in 2016. I was an entertainment journalist and created an in-depth network of managers, agents, publicists, and celebrities, which I tapped into for 3L Communiqué productions. Clients hire me to produce events like fireside chats, panel discussions, black tie awards galas, and multiple day conferences and conventions, which includes booking celebrity speakers, performances, and hosts. The biggest event I’ve produced to date is a weeklong conference in Puerto Rico, which attracted 15,000 attendees. Currently, I manage an award-winning Latina stop-motion animation and puppetry filmmaker, Alba Enid García Rivas, who will release her fourth feature film, Dangerously Ever After, later this year.

Mindful Living with Z was launched in 2019 in response to my mother being ill. I studied Reiki, meditation, and various spiritual practices and found so much self-healing that I wanted to share it with anyone and everyone who was interested. I thought I was launching the business to help heal my mother, but I had to heal myself first. Now, I work with clients all over the world as well as host workshops, and teach Reiki and mindfulness certification courses. In August 2023, I’ll host my first spiritual retreat, which sold out a few weeks after promotions began.

I’m so proud to do work I love, both in spirituality and practicality. Between my two businesses, I find a beautiful balance that allows me to be creative and remain humble and grounded.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As an event producer and spiritual coach, who thrives on face-to-face in-person interactions, I had to pivot overnight when the pandemic began. Suddenly, all in-person events were being canceled, and I had to schedule all my spiritual coaching clients on Zoom. Without a second to think about it, I had to produce virtual events and host virtual workshops that left a lasting impression. I produced the League of United Latin American Citizens first-ever virtual Legislative Gala and then did the same for the 100 Hispanic Women’s Annual Awards Gala. I also began hosting virtual Reiki Healing Sessions for HealHaus in Brooklyn, New York. In both instances, I was able to keep my businesses afloat by quickly adapting to change. As a business owner, that is one of the most crucial things to learn.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Community and collaborations! I collaborate with various businesses and corporations to bring Reiki Healing sessions to their employees and clientele. Over the years, I’ve built a network of other businesses that I work with closely on their spiritual events. Sometimes, it won’t even be a spiritual event, but instead a community-based event, and I open with a community blessing and guided meditation.

For 3L Communiqué, I offer stage management services if a client simply needs support on the day of the event as opposed to pre-event planning.

When I offer support, it is reciprocated and my businesses grow. It’s not all about money or the bottom line. Sometimes the ROI or return on investment is growing your network and expanding your brand’s visibility.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zaydarivera.com
• Instagram: @MindfulLivingWithZ
• Other: @3LCommunique on Instagram