We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Dayana Perez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen Dayana below.

Karen Dayana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about persistence, mindset, and constantly learning. If there’s one word that describes me, it’s persistent. La vida no siempre es fácil, but I truly believe that if you keep pushing, learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people, you will find your way.

When my family and I moved to the U.S. from Puebla, Mexico, I was only 16. I had to start over—new country, new language, new everything. It was overwhelming, and there were times I felt like I didn’t belong. But giving up was never an option. My parents didn’t leave everything behind for me to quit at the first challenge. So, I pushed myself. I learned English, worked hard in school, and leaned on the support of organizations and mentors who guided me through the college application process as a first-generation Latina student. That experience taught me something important: success comes to those who don’t stop trying, even when the odds are stacked against them.

That same persistence followed me into adulthood. When I started my business, I had no roadmap—just passion and a vision. I had to teach myself everything, from pricing my services to setting boundaries with clients. But I refused to let fear hold me back. I invested in learning, sought mentors, and surrounded myself with people who inspired me. Because another truth about success is that who you surround yourself with matters. You need people who push you, challenge you, and believe in you, even on the days when you don’t believe in yourself.

Being Latina, our culture teaches us resilience. We come from generations of people who built their futures with their own hands, who faced obstacles with strength and determination. That’s the energy I carry into my work every day. Success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about showing up, taking risks, and never losing faith in yourself.

I want people reading this to know that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, you can build the life you want. It won’t be easy, but if you keep going, learning, and believing in yourself, you will get there. Dicen que si tú no te rindes, el éxito no tiene otra opción más que alcanzarte.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Karen, a proud Latina entrepreneur and creative, born and raised in Puebla, Mexico. My journey into this industry wasn’t exactly planned—it was something life put in my path, and I’m so grateful it did. I’ve always loved creativity, storytelling, and helping others, and now I get to do all three while supporting small business owners, especially fellow Latina entrepreneurs.

My business, Let’s Do Media, focuses on social media management, content creation, branding, and web design. I help business owners build a strong online presence, tell their stories, and connect with their audience authentically. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by social media, unsure of how to market themselves, or struggling to stand out. That’s where I step in—to take that weight off their shoulders and create content and strategies that truly reflect who they are.

What sets me apart is my human-first approach to marketing. Social media isn’t just about selling—it’s about connection, identity, and building trust. I help my clients bring their unique personalities into their brand, using storytelling and authenticity to make their audience feel seen and understood.

I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown—not just as a business owner, but as a person. Starting my own business wasn’t easy. I dealt with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the fear of not being “good enough.” But through it all, I learned to trust myself, set boundaries, and embrace every win, big or small. Now, my mission is to empower others to do the same.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand, it’s that I genuinely care. I pour my heart into my work because I know what it’s like to start from zero, to feel lost, and to wonder if you’re on the right path. That’s why I make it my mission to not only support businesses but also empower and educate my clients so they feel confident navigating the digital world. I want to be the support and guide I wish I had when I first started.

At the heart of my work is the belief that visibility creates opportunities—and every small business, every entrepreneur, every dream deserves to be seen. If I can help someone take their business to the next level, make their vision a reality, gain confidence in their brand, or simply feel heard and valued, then I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be working for myself, running my own creative business, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Like many of us, I grew up thinking that success meant finding a stable 9-5 job, getting a paycheck, and following a traditional path. But life had other plans for me.

I started my journey in marketing working for a company, where I handled social media and content creation. I fell in love with the process—helping brands grow, creating engaging content, and seeing real results. But at the time, I never thought of it as something I could do on my own.

Then, life forced me to pivot. I lost my job, was dealing with personal challenges, and found myself at a crossroads. Instead of looking for another job, I decided to bet on myself. I started offering social media management and content creation services as a freelancer. At first, it was slow—I had no idea how to find clients, how to price my services, or even how to believe in my own work. But I pushed through, took on small projects, networked, and kept learning and improving.

A major milestone was when I got my first big client—someone who believed in my work and trusted me to manage their brand. That gave me the confidence to go all in. I built my business from the ground up, learning everything along the way—from client management to pricing to setting boundaries.

What I’ve learned from this journey is that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap and trust yourself. Growing a business is hard, but it’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Now, I get to help other small businesses thrive, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

For anyone wanting to turn their side hustle into a full-time business, my advice is:

– Start before you’re ready—you’ll learn along the way.
– Invest in yourself—whether it’s courses, mentors, or tools to help you grow.
– Don’t be afraid to charge your worth—your skills and time are valuable.
– Network and connect—opportunities come from relationships.
– Be patient and persistent—it’s a journey, not a race.

Every small step you take gets you closer to your dream.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I started my business, I knew social media would play a huge role—not just in marketing myself but in connecting with the right people and creating real opportunities. I didn’t have a huge following or viral moments, but I built my audience through authenticity, storytelling, and genuinely showing up for myself and others.

At first, I fell into the trap of trying to post just for the sake of growing—trendy audios, aesthetic content, following all the “rules.” But it felt forced and exhausting. I had to step back and ask myself: What do I actually want people to know about me? How can I make an impact? That’s when I realized that growth isn’t just about what you post—it’s about how you show up, both online and in real life.

One of my biggest breakthroughs came when I stepped out of my comfort zone and started putting myself in the right rooms. Networking, attending events, and having real conversations with people took me further than I ever imagined. A coach once told me:

“Karen, you have a spark—your personality, your energy. Don’t hide it. Show it to people. The world deserves to know you and what you bring to the table.”

That hit me hard. I realized I had been playing small, waiting for people to find me instead of putting myself out there.

Now, my approach is different:
– I focus on relationships, not just numbers. I engage, connect, and build trust—online and in person.
– I lean into storytelling. I share my journey, my struggles, and my wins so people connect with the real me.
– I show up—not just on social media, but in real life. I invest in myself, learn from mentors, and put myself in spaces where opportunities happen.

For anyone just starting their social media journey, my biggest advice is:
– Step out of your comfort zone. The more you put yourself out there, the more doors will open.
– Be yourself—fully. People connect with energy, personality, and authenticity.
– Show up for yourself. No one will see your value if you don’t believe in it first.
– Stop chasing trends and start building connections. Numbers don’t matter if no one actually engages with you.
– Give before you ask. Offer value, share tips, and help your audience before expecting them to buy from you.

Social media is powerful, but real growth happens when you mix digital connections with real-life action. And that has been my biggest lesson.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.letsdomedia.org
• Instagram: @letsdomedia_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-day-perez