We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesse Zapatero a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jesse thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I remember being at a conference where one of the speakers said, “In this industry, you need to be pushy and delusional.” That really stuck with me. At first, it sounded a little extreme, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it is. Success doesn’t come from waiting for opportunities to land in your lap; you have to create them, even when it feels like no one’s paying attention or when the odds seem stacked against you.

It’s about persistence, grit, and showing up even when you don’t feel like it. I’ve learned that success comes from pushing through the moments when doubt creeps in, and trusting yourself enough to keep going.

For me, it clicked when I was working on a project under tight deadlines. Everything was going wrong—setbacks, delays, you name it. But I realized that no one was going to fix it for me. I had to step up, figure it out, and make it work. That experience taught me that success is less about the plan and more about adapting, staying focused, and just outworking the obstacles. The reward isn’t just the end result; it’s knowing you refused to quit when it got tough.

Success is built in those moments when nobody’s watching, when you’re grinding away because you care enough about what you’re doing. That’s when you find out what you’re made of.

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’m a 25-year-old editorial producer and writer with a deep passion for literature, music, and pop culture. My journey began with small writing projects in college while working at a nonprofit supporting creative youth. After moving to LA, I shifted gears and entered the magazine publishing world, where I now focus on producing editorial fashion shoots, writing, and interviewing to share the stories of some of today’s most incredible artists. I never imagined I’d be in the same room with such talent, and I’m grateful to the editors and creatives who took a chance on me. And of course, a little credit goes to my own pushy and delusional persistence!

What sets me apart is my unique blend of creative vision and passion for both youth development and storytelling. Having worked with nonprofits supporting creative youth, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful art and expression can be in shaping young lives, which drives my work to this day. My experience mentoring and guiding young talent fuels my commitment to storytelling that inspires and uplifts. Whether it’s producing editorial shoots or writing in-depth features, my goal is to give a voice to emerging artists and creators, connecting with them on a personal level to tell their stories authentically. This dedication to both youth and writing keeps me pushing boundaries, always striving to bring fresh, impactful narratives to life.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Many of my friends and family don’t know that I moved to LA with just about $200 in my pocket—and I spent half of it on gas driving from Texas, haha. But I was so excited to start this new journey that I didn’t care how much money I had. I just knew I was going to figure it out. I had never set foot in California before that drive. It was honestly the scariest and toughest time of my life, but I was so determined to make it that none of it mattered. I simply knew I had to succeed.

When I finally arrived, my friends Devin and Kim took me to the Universal City overlook. I was amazed. This might sound a bit corny, but I remember standing there, looking over the city, and telling myself, “I have to make it. Failure or leaving this city is not an option.” For the first few months living here, I hustled hard. I did DoorDash, worked as a dishwasher, a waiter, even as a dental office coordinator. I wore so many hats just trying to make ends meet. But I needed that experience. It taught me so much about myself and pushed me to keep going. And I’m still pushing myself! To this day, living in this city and surviving in this economy isn’t easy, but I’m pushy! I’m delusional! And with those two things, I’m still here.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

From the time I was 16, I knew I wanted to contribute to pop culture in a meaningful way. I had a constant urge to express my opinions, to write, and to speak my mind. That inner voice—the one that said, “Say it. Share it.”—still drives me today as both a writer and a producer. It’s that same passion for expression and storytelling that fuels my desire to create, lead, and inspire. My goal is to continually push the boundaries of creativity and to be a leading voice in this industry, never losing sight of the drive my younger self instilled in me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessezapatero?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-zapatero

Image Credits

N/a