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

Alright, Karla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents raised me loved, truly loved, and supported every one of my wild ideas and dreams, even the crazy ones. They blanketed me with softness, resilience, resourcefulness, humility, and humor. Those qualities became my compass in life and in everything I create.

My dad was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his words carried love and wisdom. He taught me to see the world from different angles, to notice beauty in small things, and to think creatively even in hard times. He’s the quiet reason behind my art, my curiosity, and my ability to build something out of nothing.

My mom is pure sugar and love, the embodiment of strength and grace. She’s my anchor and my example of what a woman should be: strong, resilient, and full of light. She cooks with heart, with intention, and with a kind of love that can heal you from the inside out. She’s the reason I fell in love with cooking. I’m not a fancy chef, but everything I make comes from that same place of deep, genuine love.

Their example taught me that creativity, kindness, and community all come from the same source LOVE and that’s what I try to pour into everything I do.

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?

My name is Karla Palos, the heart and hands behind Doña Karl and Mi Vida en Color. I’m a self-taught cook, painter, and advocate for mental health and community support. Everything I create comes from a place of love, resilience, and humor because I truly believe laughter and compassion can heal just as much as food and art can.

Doña Karl was born from my kitchen and my heart. It’s all about sharing love through food, creativity, and connection. I’m not a fancy chef, but everything I make is made with intention and warmth.

Mi Vida en Color grew from my love of painting and storytelling. Through my paint classes, I get to help others tap into their creativity and express themselves with no pressure, just color, laughter, and heart. My classes are part art, part therapy, part comedy hour. I love connecting with people, reminding them that they’re capable, creative, and worthy of joy.

What makes me proudest is that I get to show up as my full self, a little goofy, a little emotional, but always real. Whether it’s through a paintbrush or a plate of food, my goal is to create spaces where people feel seen, loved, and supported. I want my work to remind others that no matter what life looks like, it can still be colorful, flavorful, and full of heart.

Have you ever had to pivot?

For me it has never really been about pivoting in the traditional sense. It has been about learning to move with life as it comes. There are times when my health simply does not allow me to show up the way I want to, whether it is for my business, my art, or my community. I have had to learn how to honor that without letting it define me.

I am very open about my health challenges because I believe in showing the whole picture, the good, the messy, and the in between. I use my journey as a reminder to others to celebrate their little wins, to be gentle with themselves, and to keep going even when life feels heavy.

Having to work around my health is heartbreaking at times, but it has also made me more grounded, more grateful, and more human. It taught me that strength is not about doing it all, it is about doing what you can with heart, even on the hard days.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience simply by being myself. My humor draws people in, and I think that is what makes everything I share feel real and relatable. That is how people first noticed me through Mi Vida en Color. I started sharing my art, my thoughts, and my personality without overthinking it, and people connected with that honesty.

Having Mi Vida en Color helped me build the courage to start Doña Karl. I used to worry that I was not fancy enough or that I did not fit the mold of what a business owner should look like. But once I saw how people responded to my authenticity, I realized that being real is exactly what makes people stay.

My advice for anyone just starting out is to show up as yourself. Do not wait until everything looks perfect. Be funny, be messy, be honest, and let people see your heart. The right audience will find you when you are being you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mividaencolor & @in_my_dona_karl_era

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