We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edna Mancia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Edna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
What did my parents do right? Well, I am a child of immigrants. So, growing up with 2 completely different cultures, it felt like they were doing everything wrong. Honestly, they taught me so much about how to always push through even when it looks like life is going against you. They taught me to always work hard, and to pursue my dreams. They have been my biggest supporters in everything I’ve done in my life. I have learned so much from them, to the everyday stuff of taking care of the house and yourself, to not giving up pursuing what you love even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. They didn’t have it easy, but they have worked so hard to get to where they’re at today and to give my brother and myself a better life. I’m thankful for the resilience they have instilled in me.
Edna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am the Field Marketing Specialist for the Geater Texas Region for the non-profit, The Phoenix. I am also a lifestyle influencer! I enjoy being able to show my followers the work I am doing with The Phoenix and fun places to check out, where to hang out, what festivals are happening, and just bringing some creative joy to people’s feeds!
If you have not heard of The Phoenix, they are an incredible organization with a mission “to build a sober active community that fuels resilience and harnesses the transformational power of connection so that together we rise, recover, and live.” I love everything they are doing to take away the stigma of being in recovery and being sober. I’m excited about the work I will be doing there and to help people in Texas and around the world!
As far as the influencer side of things, I enjoy being able to explore my creativity on a fun level, meet some amazing people, and be that creative, joyful light on the internet. I know it’s not always rainbows and butterflies, but sometimes we just need to see some joy, even if it’s only putting a smile on our face for a moment.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding thing about being a creative is knowing I’m using my skills not only for fun but for good. I try and talk about organizations I am part of to bring awareness to what they are doing in the community and to show more than just delicious food or enjoyable events happening. I love talking about The Color of Coffee Collective and everything they are doing for minorities in the coffee community, I will bring up my job with The Phoenix because of the work they are doing to create sober communities for people either in recovery, sober curious, or allies/supporters is truly amazing.
The things I post are intentional and there is always a reason behind them even if it brings awareness to an organization, a business, an event, cities, a hotel, etc… I know I am either helping bring people the business they need or I am helping to support someone in some way, shape, or form!
Yes, there is the fun aspect of it and the personal touches since it is a lifestyle page, but I love that I can have both!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creative journey is hoping to bring a smile to someone’s face. My entire life all I’ve wanted to do is to help people! I had no idea what that would look like, I just knew that I had to find a way to reach that goal. I’m happy to do it in a fun way on social media, but I love love love that I get to do it as a career in marketing with The Phoenix!!
I know the world is tough and people are always looking for a distraction, a glimmer of hope, or something different to look at, and if I can provide that through social media then I will forever be at it until the internet becomes obsolete!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativelyedna/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednamancia/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/creativelyedna/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC1MA64oGaC1u85ROHVC__w
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@creativelyedna