Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Velasquez.

Hi Mariah, 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?

How I got here has been one beautiful, messy ride—packed full of ups, downs, setbacks, confusion, redirections (and even more redirections). But looking back, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every unexpected twist led me exactly to where I am now, full of gratitude, perspective, and lessons I hope can inspire others.

When I graduated from university, instead of chasing the traditional 9-to-5, I followed my adventurous spirit straight into travel, hospitality, and wine. This decision eventually landed me at a travel company run by an inspiring entrepreneurial husband-and-wife team. I was able to see firsthand that it was possible to build a thriving business from your passions.

Then COVID shook the world—and mine. I suddenly found myself needing to find another job, but with the pandemic, finding employment was nearly impossible. Fortunately, I stumbled upon an opportunity to manage a hotel farm and property, where I could live rent-free in Sonoma, CA. It was during this time that I planned, studied, and developed an idea for something I could build for myself—something resilient to the uncertainties brought on by COVID. Leveraging my degree in business and marketing, I decided to try and offer virtual assistance services to everyone I possibly knew. Surprisingly, I quickly built up a client base around Sonoma County. Soon after, I enrolled in a branding mastermind course that opened my eyes and I realized I had a gift for seeing the unique qualities in entrepreneurs and helping them translate their vision into an authentic and impactful online presence. Even though I was scared, I reminded myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and pushed forward. The business quickly grew, and clients multiplied faster than I thought possible!

But success isn’t linear… Just when things seemed stable, business took an unexpected dip, taking my confidence down with it. Bills stacked up, anxiety set in, and I questioned if I was cut out for entrepreneurship after all. To keep afloat, I took a full-time marketing job at an agency. For a year, I juggled my own struggling business alongside the demands of a full-time role, until the stress became too overwhelming. Anxiety spiraled into panic attacks, my health plummeted, and I knew something had to change.

So, I took a brave step backward. I moved back home to prioritize healing. Four challenging months later, as I finally regained my strength, I booked a one-way ticket to Mexico—a leap of faith that would completely change my trajectory. During my backpacking trip, so many doors began to open. With a newfound clarity, I decided to also pursue my side passion for health and wellness and enrolled at the College of Ayurveda. Meanwhile, my business started picking up momentum, and I finally found the courage to charge my worth. Life was shifting in exciting new directions, and my journey eventually led me to Colombia, where I unexpectedly discovered my dream property located in the dreamy coffee region.

I came to understand that when life is out of balance, everything suffers—especially our health. I’ve since restructured my life and begun combining my passion for health and wellness with my business expertise. My work has truly evolved into something special, and my focus is helping my clients succeed while genuinely understanding where they’re at mentally and emotionally, guiding them toward balance, and providing a service that transforms something potentially stressful and daunting into an experience that’s light, fun, and creative.

Now, I embrace life as a digital nomad, traveling to places that bring me joy, inspiration, and creativity, influencing my work and the amazing people I serve. I’ve learned that hardships hold the greatest lessons, and my mission is to help people navigate and overcome the same challenges I’ve faced, inspire them to find balance, and support purpose-driven businesses that aim to make a meaningful impact on the world.

And the journey isn’t nearly over yet! Reflecting on how far I’ve come makes me so thankful and excited about where the next chapter will lead.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced on this journey is navigating imposter syndrome—believing that I’m truly worth it and confidently charging my value. Balancing a full client workload while simultaneously trying to attract new clients has tested my time management skills and often led to moments of feeling stretched too thin. Owning a business means wearing many hats, managing not just creative projects but also logistics, financial details, numbers, and taxes, all of which can feel overwhelming at times.

I’ve also had to navigate the ebb and flow of projects, sometimes experiencing inconsistent workloads and other times becoming overly busy. Learning when to say “no” has been vital in maintaining my own balance and wellbeing. Yet, through every challenge, I’ve learned invaluable lessons that have made me resilient!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

My business specializes in digital marketing and web design, dedicated to helping purpose-driven businesses that strive to make the world a better place. We also genuinely love working with entrepreneurs who have pursued their passions and built their businesses around them.

What sets us apart is our unique, personalized approach called “Discovery.” Through insightful conversations and thoughtful questions, we dive deep to truly understand who you are, your connection to your business, and your vision. This process enables us to effectively express your brand both verbally and visually, ensuring it authentically represents you and attracts your ideal clients.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?

Our services include comprehensive brand discovery sessions designed to deeply understand your business and effectively communicate your story. Additionally, we provide specialized digital marketing services such as strategic planning, email campaign management, website design, graphic design, and more!

We also genuinely enjoy collaborating with fellow freelancers, creatives, and agencies who share our passion for purpose-driven work. Whether you’re looking for direct support or a collaborative partnership, we’re here for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifebydesign-studio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifebydesignstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifebydesignstudio/?ref=pages_you_manage
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/uas/login?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F71282541%2Fadmin%2Ffeed%2Fposts%2F

Image Credits

@jordeanshea