We recently connected with Gabby Sanchez and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gabby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up, I vividly remember telling my parents I wanted to be a scientist. I never specified what type of scientist but I just knew something related to the word: “Scientist.”

Fast forward to sophomore year of high school and taking a chemistry class with a literal genius of a teacher. Soon enough, I realized science included math AND chemical equations that were just too big for me. My dream of becoming a scientist was shot down but I was okay with it.

I was taking dance as an elective in high school during this realization too. I would be doing college level homework in high school and still being up to date on the dance world through Twitter and ABDC.

Thus, my desire for dance was heightened.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As simple as this question is, I find myself struggling to answer this every time I am asked.

I usually never label myself as anything specific since I do a variety of things: fitness, dance, podcasting, writing as of recently, make silly videos online, making memes, and creative directing, etc.

I got into said industries just by experimenting and doing. Some days I experiment, “do” way more, ideas after ideas rush through my mind. While other days, I feel like nothing is “enough.” There is no in between and I welcome both forms of chaos into my daily routine. It just has become who I am, unapologetically.

Although I feel as if my work is never enough regardless of what I do, what sets me apart from others are the infinite ideas that come to my mind at the most randomest of times in my day. Everyone preaches the ideology of executing said ideas but rarely does anyone ever mention the ideas themselves. The most prized possessions are my ideas and how I view the world creatively. No one can replicate the ideas I desire to bring to life: Not AI, not anyone nor anything.

I am most proud of my ability to keep going in the pursuit of creativity. I have had various moment of wanting to quit yet every time I tell myself: “I’m just gonna quit.” The Universe always throws me the sign right in my face to remind me to keep the pursuit going.

Lastly, I would love anyone who has seen my brand, been a fan of my work, never heard of me before, wishes to know more, or even dislikes me and/or my branding: I’m thankful for it all regardless. As I shift to becoming a serious creative director, I consider a quality and impactful creative director to be the following:

“A quality creative director has to be true to their work but also know how to change with the times. An excellent creative director is constantly changing. passionate, and seen in their work not afraid to show it. They’re not afraid to you know be critiqued for it, understanding what society needs to hear as society continues to evolve for better for worse. A creative director to change with the times but still maintain like being loyal to who they are as an individual still making quality work and understanding such as: ‘Okay well if I make this work, I must be aware of the times we’re in. Furthermore, what do I need to say and how do I want to say it?’ Meanwhile, being loyal to their morals or beliefs, someone willing to be flexible but have non-negotiables.” – Myself.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is very simple: To inspire people AND make people FEEL again. Inspiring someone and having someone tell me anything I’ve done has helped them in any shape, way, or form is the highest goal I am pursuing.

However, the other side is FEELING. I want people to look at my work and feel ANYTHING. Sorrow, joy, pain, light, just ANY emotion: negative OR positive.

Living in a world full of people striving to be emotionless because they fear their own emotions is a tragic way to live. Thus, my mission will forever be to inspire others AND bring back the desire to FEEL emotions again; unapologetically.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearn the narrative: “I don’t care if I ever get paid for my work.” and/or “I don’t care if no one sees this!” mindset.

I am a firm believer in fully admitting you want to be seen and paid for whatever work someone does in any creative industry. However, that does NOT mean you should pursue any creative industry SOLELY for fame and success either. Learn to balance the desire but also accept what is.

I utilize this example: “Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone reached out to you about your work, told you how much your work means to them, how you inspired them to keep their creative mission going, wanted to hire you for a project, pay you, and recommend you to their friends on how well you did? Thus setting off a chain reaction on getting people to work with you because of YOUR ideas and building meaningful connections.”

That ideology of “I don’t care if I ever make money from XYZ! I don’t care if anyone sees my work!” will have you trapped in never sharing how amazing your work can be a select niche group of people OR the whole world. What you have to say will matter to someone or various others.

Do it for yourself but don’t shun yourself to not wanting your amazing work to be seen.

The backstory from this was because I kept believing in this ideology myself. Until randomly, I realized NO growth was coming from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laperuanaquemanda.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laperuanaqmanda/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-sanchez-%F0%9F%87%B5%F0%9F%87%AA-775b53168/
• Twitter: https://x.com/laperuanaqmanda
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NadiePregunt%C3%B3Podcast
• Other: Substack: https://substack.com/@laperuanaqmanda?

Image Credits

CREATIVE DIRECTION: Gabby Sanchez (me)

Photographer: Jose Santillan (@juniortheoutsider on Instagram)

Male Model: David Monte De Oca (@davidmdom on Instagram)

Lighting + Production Assistant: Josh Garcia (@joshandrewgarcia on Instagram)