We were lucky to catch up with Jesús Arias recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jesús, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
The Arias Journal didn’t start as a publication, it started as an idea shared between family and friends. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, I launched an Instagram page to share essential updates, from county health mandates to local city information, so people in our community could stay informed.
It was simple, reliable, and rooted in service. From there, the idea began to grow. We moved from Instagram posts to an email newsletter, manually sending out monthly updates through Gmail to a small but loyal group of subscribers.
At first, it was completely free, a community effort. To keep it going, we funded those early emails by selling small advertisements from local businesses and even promoting social media accounts. We went from 10 Instagram followers to around 50–70 email subscribers, and every new reader felt like a small victory.
As Editor, I wanted to take the next step: turning this small newsletter into a legitimate publication. So I organized a LinkedIn webinar to introduce The Arias Journal’s vision to a broader audience. Over 100 people attended, and shortly after, we launched our official website, a milestone that made it feel like we were no longer just a newsletter but a newsroom.
When I took on the role of editor-in-chief, I decided it was time to move beyond advertisements and focus on something more sustainable. That’s when we introduced Arias Pro, a paid subscription model offering deeper coverage, exclusive stories, and a more personal connection with our readers.
That first subscription wasn’t just income. It was validation that people believed in what we were doing. It marked the moment The Arias Journal officially became a reader-funded publication, built not on clicks or ads, but on trust, curiosity, and community.
Jesús, 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?
I’m a writer based in California. Over the years, I’ve contributed to several publications, including the Online Chronicle, The Raging Patriot, Stock Sense, The LinkedIn Opinion, and many more. My experience across different outlets has helped me develop a sharp editorial eye and a genuine respect for storytelling that informs, challenges, and connects people.
I created The Arias Journal as a page to share crucial updates and local information with family and friends.
What had started as a small community effort quickly grew into a full-fledged digital publication, publishing stories that highlight the people, issues, and ideas shaping Southern California and beyond. Today, The Arias Journal runs on a reader-supported model called Arias Pro, offering long-form journalism and exclusive insights every Friday.
Beyond my work at The Arias Journal, I offer editing and writing services for individuals and organizations who want their voice to sound professional, confident, and authentic. I take pride in helping others communicate clearly, whether that’s through a publication, a brand story, or an editorial piece.
What sets my work apart is independence. I believe written media should serve people, not algorithms, and I’ve built my career around that principle. I’m proud of turning what began as a small pandemic project into a growing publication that values truth, creativity, and community. More than anything, I want readers and clients to know that every story I publish or edit is done with care, precision, and heart.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
When I first started The Arias Journal, I had no grand plan for building a following. Over time, what started as a few posts meant to inform our community evolved into a full media presence.
At first, I focused on consistency and relevance, posting stories that mattered locally, updates people could trust, and reflections that gave readers something to think about. When we transitioned from an email newsletter to a website and later introduced The Arias Journal Podcast, social media became a key part of connecting with our audience.
Now, a big part of our online growth comes from the podcast. We share clips, quotes, and highlights from our one-on-one interviews on Instagram, giving followers short, meaningful insights into each episode. Those clips have helped us reach new listeners and show the personality behind our work, something a headline or paragraph can’t always do.
For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is to focus on value and consistency. Don’t worry about going viral, focus on creating content that reflects your voice and mission. Every follower you earn because they connected with your message is worth more than a thousand who scroll past out of curiosity. Build slow, stay authentic, and let your content speak for itself.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are a few works that have really influenced how I think about leadership, creativity, and running The Arias Journal. One that stands out is “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. It’s not just a business memoir, it’s a story about resilience, risk, and the reality of building something from nothing. That book taught me that growth isn’t always glamorous; it’s about consistency and conviction when things get uncertain.
Another big influence was “The Practice” by Seth Godin. It reshaped how I view creativity and publishing, reminding me that the real work isn’t about perfection, but about showing up and putting out meaningful work consistently.
On the editorial side, I’ve also learned a lot from essays by journalists like Jorge Ramos and Barry Malone. Their precision, structure, and sense of truth have deeply influenced how I approach storytelling and manage our editorial voice at The Arias Journal.
In terms of management philosophy, I’ve always believed in small teams and clear communication. Videos and talks from leaders like Simon Sinek have reinforced the importance of building purpose driven organizations, not just businesses that chase numbers.
Together, those resources have shaped how I lead: with patience, vision, and the belief that authenticity and persistence always outlast trends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theariasjournal.com
- Instagram: theariasjournal
- Linkedin: Jesus Arias
- Twitter: theariasjournal
Image Credits
Photo source: (The Arias Journal)