Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriela Cruz-montes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gabriela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I would love to be remembered for my deep love of family and culture, and for empowering women through my work. I aim to leave a legacy of positivity, creativity, and strength, inspiring others to embrace their heritage and pursue their passions with confidence. My goal is for my creativity to inspire others to connect with their roots and embrace themselves fully.

Gabriela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a young aspiring mexican designer, creating a business and sharing my designs has always been one of my biggest dreams. My journey as a designer and illustrator began with my passion for jewelry making and my background in graphic design. Over time, I started weaving my Hispanic heritage into my work as I embraced my heritage through self-discovery. My designs focus on creating meaningful, decorative pieces that celebrate culture, inspired by the intricate beauty of antiques and a love for ornate details. As I begin developing new illustrative work, I strive to create art that reflects women’s self-discovery, healing, and connection to culture. What I’m most proud of is building a brand that not only showcases my heritage but also resonates with others, providing representation and inspiration. I take pride in the intricate detail and thoughtfulness I pour into each piece, knowing that they resonate with people and honor the beauty of our shared culture. I aim to speak to the hispanic community and hope they feel represented and inspired by my expressive and cultural pieces.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the pressure to succeed in my traditional design role. I started my career as a graphic designer working full time, where I struggled to feel confident and comfortable. There was always a sense of needing to live up to my bachelors degree and find a steady job to build off of and continue building experience in the design industry. Over time, I realized that my true path wasn’t in conforming to those expectations, but in following my passions and dreams to start my own business. Embracing my background and artistic expression allowed me to break free from that pressure, and it has led to both personal and professional successes I never anticipated.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One resource that has significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking is Notion, a productivity and organizational tool that has transformed how I manage my business. As a small business owner, designer, and creative, staying organized and balancing multiple projects was often overwhelming. Notion has allowed me to create custom workflows, track deadlines, and break down complex tasks into manageable steps. This has not only increased my efficiency but also reduced stress by giving me a clearer overview of my priorities. I learned the importance of structure and planning in fostering creativity. Having a system in place allows me to free up mental space to focus on my creative work while staying organized and meeting deadlines. It’s become an essential part of my daily routine and has greatly shaped how I approach both the business and creative sides of my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gabrielachristine.com
• Instagram: @bygabrielachristine
• Youtube: bygabrielachristine

Image Credits

last photo with adidas photoshoot please credit: bryant alvarez – ig: bryant.imgs