We were lucky to catch up with Made In Jersey Creative Collective recently and have shared our conversation below.

Made in Jersey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

SHAKIRA: It really started as a simple conversation between best friends over mimosas and margaritas who left a NYC event wanting more. Marla and I were talking about how exhausting it is to continue to make our way across the bridge to New York in order to meet like-minded individuals. We knew how much creative talent there is in New Jersey. There are people doing incredible work across different fields but we felt disconnected from it all. There wasn’t really a central space for creatives here to meet, collaborate, or feel truly seen. That conversation sparked something in both of us.

From there, it became late-night brainstorming sessions, lunch break planning, and lots of long voice notes back and forth. We didn’t have a business plan or funding, just a clear vision: to create an inclusive, intentional community that celebrates Jersey’s diversity, creativity, and spirit.

Once we had the name and the mission, Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, we focused on building real connections. We started showing up at other creatives’ events, reaching out to Jersey creatives, business owners and entrepreneurs on Instagram, and just introducing ourselves. We wanted to build trust and community first, before anything else.

Then came our first event, Creative Chats. It was small and intimate, but it felt like exactly what we’d envisioned: people came together, shared ideas, and left inspired. Honestly, people didn’t want to eat or drink, they wanted to keep talking! That night confirmed that we were creating something meaningful and needed.

From there, it’s been a constant process of learning and refining. Balancing our 9–5s, sending countless emails to local venues, building our brand identity, and finding ways to grow without losing our authenticity.

If I had to sum it up, I’d say the launch wasn’t one big moment, it was a series of small, intentional steps. Every message, every conversation, every meetup brought us closer to turning an idea into a living, breathing community.

Made in Jersey: Creative Collective was born from conversation and built through collaboration and that’s exactly how we want it to keep growing.

MARLA: It all started with a thought that quickly turned into a reality. As a small content creator I began thinking of how I constantly felt out of place being from New Jersey and not having a community of creatives I could go to! I found an event in NYC that was promoting a community based, for creatives, women and anyone who was trying to spark new ideas, and I was immediately hooked. I invited my now business partner to the event and quickly we realized it was not remotely close to what we expected. After we digested the event, discussed what we felt we realized we both shared the exact same thoughts, we were missing the community in our home, NEW JERSEY.

Then came the event in NYC.

It was supposed to be the answer. I found it online: a space for creatives, women, idea-builders. It looked perfect everything I’d been missing. I sent the link to my now business partner, and said, “Let’s go.”
But it wasn’t what we hoped. At all.

We stood there feeling out of place. The energy felt curated, not connected. It looked good, but it didn’t feel good. There was no real conversation, no community. Before going home we stopped for some mimosas still digesting what we had just experienced, we both looked at each other and said it: “This isn’t it… but what if we built what we were looking for?”

We didn’t wait for the perfect time. That same week, we started putting things into motion. We made a pact to hold each other accountable, no matter how busy life got. I was unemployed which helped us to really focus and meet any deadlines we gave ourselves but allowed us to have time we knew we wouldn’t have forever, we’d hop on FaceTime at night, sometimes until 1 or 2 AM — dreaming, planning, disagreeing, realigning.

We started with the why. Why do we want this? What would make it different? Who is it for?

We weren’t in this for money, or followers, or clout. We were building what we needed, a space for creatives in New Jersey to feel inspired, supported, and seen. A place where the real magic happens: collaboration, storytelling, courage to keep going.
Then came the name. Made in Jersey: Creative Collective. It said it all… bold, local, built from the ground up.

The next three months were a blur — the best kind. We sketched out our brand: logo, colors, mission, voice. We made roles for ourselves. We created content. We argued and laughed and met in the middle. We threw every idea on the table — from event concepts to merch to digital storytelling. No idea was too “out there.” We wanted this to feel alive.

We started reaching out to local businesses, building relationships, figuring out how to fund it all (spoiler: we did it ourselves). Every day brought a new challenge, but also a new win.

Some nights we were exhausted. Other nights, we were buzzing with adrenaline. But every day, every single one from April 2025 up until our first event in July 2025, we showed up.

The morning of our first event, we stood there looking around the space, both in disbelief and total clarity. We made this. From a random night in NYC… to this.

People showed up — not just physically, but emotionally. They came curious, open, inspired. Strangers became collaborators. Creatives found their voice. And in that moment, we knew: It was never “just an idea.” It was always a movement waiting to begin. And it had to start in Jersey.

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?

SHAKIRA: I’m Shakira Perez, a media producer, storyteller, and community builder. A new title I am playing around with is, “creative culture curator.” My background in television and media taught me the power of storytelling, collaboration, and representation. All lessons that continue to guide my work today. Over time, I realized that while I LOVE producing, what truly inspires me is creating spaces where creativity and connection can thrive, especially for people who often feel overlooked or underrepresented.

That realization led to Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, which I co-founded with my best friend and collaborator, Marla. It’s an inclusive community built to celebrate New Jersey’s rich creative culture and the people behind it, from artists and content creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers of all kinds. Our goal is to bring people together, foster collaboration, and remind creatives that their work and stories matter.

We host intentional events, conversations, and experiences that help people connect, share ideas, and turn inspiration into action. Beyond events, we highlight local talent through creative spotlights, build partnerships with small businesses, and cultivate a digital space that reflects the same warmth and authenticity found in our in-person gatherings.

What sets Made in Jersey: Creative Jersey apart is our intentionality. We’re not just creating events; we’re cultivating a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and true community. We make sure every creative feels seen, valued, and supported whether they’re just starting out or have years of experience.

I’m most proud of the community that’s forming around this mission. Seeing people who met through Made in Jersey: Creative Collective launch new ideas or simply find encouragement in one another reminds me why we started.
At its core, Made in Jersey: Creative Collective is more than a brand, it’s a movement to honor our roots, celebrate our voices, and invest in the creative future of New Jersey.

MARLA: My name is Marla Diaz, and if I had to introduce myself in the most honest way, I’d start by saying I am a proud Latina content creator, non-profit girl, and aesthetic director with a deep love for storytelling through visuals especially in fashion. I believe fashion is not just the clothing you wear but a representation of who you are. It’s art. I’ve always been drawn to the way aesthetics shape how we feel, how we connect, and how we see ourselves in the world. Whether I’m curating a mood board, creating fashion content or styling a look, my creative work always comes back to one core mission: to inspire through intentional beauty and meaningful connection.

For a long time, I struggled with feeling disconnected — especially as a creative living in New Jersey. While there were events, spaces, and opportunities popping up in places like New York, I often found myself asking, “Where is the community here? Where are the people who look like me, create like me, dream like me — right here at home?” And that question became the foundation of something much bigger.

In 2025, I co-founded Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, alongside my business partner and best friend, Shakira, because we were both craving something we couldn’t seem to find a creative community in New Jersey that was intentional, inclusive, and real.

Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, was born out of a desire to create spaces where people feel inspired, supported, and seen, regardless of their follower count or where they are on their creative journey. We’re not here to spotlight only the most polished or “Instagram-famous” creatives. We’re here for the curious creative, the one experimenting, learning, growing, and still figuring it out.

We believe creativity has no single definition. To us, a creative person could be a painter, poet, stylist, reader, gamer, foodie, producer — the list goes on. Our mission is to celebrate that wide spectrum of artistry, and to build something that reflects the real diversity of creativity today. Because the idea of “fitting into one niche” feels outdated, limiting, and honestly, untrue to who we are.

At Made in Jersey, we curate in-person meetups, creative events, and community activations that prioritize purpose over performance. Each event is designed for creatives of all kinds to walk in feeling welcome and walk out feeling seen, fulfilled, and inspired.

We want you to leave with a new connection, a fresh idea, or even just the courage to keep creating. It’s not about being the loudest or most followed in the room. It’s about being present, curious, and open to growth.

There are plenty of creative communities out there — but what sets Made in Jersey: Creative Collective apart is our intentionality. We don’t host events just to say we did. Every element, from the aesthetics to the structure to the people we invite in, is designed with purpose.

We deeply value real connection, mutual respect, and shared creative energy. And behind every brand decision are two women myself and Shakira who work daily to lead with transparency, patience, and heart. We’ve faced challenges, of course. Every new business does. But the way we’ve navigated those hiccups through honest communication and shared vision is something I’m truly proud of.

In such a short time since launching, we’ve been met with open arms. People have not only shown up they’ve asked for more. More events. More community. More spaces like this.

That tells me we’re doing something right. And it reminds me that Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, is bigger than just me and Shakira. Yes, we’re the faces of the brand — but the soul of it is the community that shows up, shares, posts, listens, and brings their stories into the room with them.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: “You don’t need permission to be creative. You don’t need to have the perfect feed, or the biggest platform, or a fancy title. You just need curiosity, passion, and a desire to connect.”

Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, is for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to shrink their creativity to fit into someone else’s definition. We’re here to say: you belong exactly as you are — and we’re building this for you.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

SHAKIRA: Marla and I actually met in college through mutual friends, go Redhawks! From the start, we clicked. There was an instant connection, a natural chemistry. I remember we used to laugh so much together. Life, as it often does, took us in different directions as we navigated the chaos of newfound freedom and adulthood and we slowly drifted apart.
A few years later, we reconnected online when I launched a podcast. Marla sent me a message congratulating me, and that simple DM reignited our friendship. From that moment on, we picked up right where we left off, but this time, with even more purpose.

What’s beautiful about our partnership is that we’re so different, yet completely aligned. Our strengths balance each other, and we share the same vision for what we want to build and the impact we want to have. We both believe we were meant for more: to create, to lead, and to build something that brings people together.

Since reconnecting, we’ve been inseparable. Not just as friends, but as partners who truly understand and complement one another. I honestly can’t imagine doing life or building Made in Jersey: Creative Collective without her.

MARLA: Shakira and I met during our undergrad years at Montclair State University. We became friends naturally through mutual connections, late-night laughs, group hangouts, and a whole lot of spontaneous adventures. It wasn’t a forced friendship — it just clicked. We always vibed effortlessly.

But, as with many college friendships, life did its thing after graduation. No drama. No falling out. Just two women growing up, going in different directions. We drifted, like so many do careers, life changes, new chapters. But the bond was never broken, just quietly paused. Fast forward five years later.

One day I saw that Shakira had launched a podcast. I still remember how I felt, genuinely proud. I always knew, even back in college, that storytelling, producing, creating that was her. So I did something simple that would change everything: I sent her a DM.”I’m so proud of you. This is exactly what you’re meant to be doing.” That one message turned into a meetup. Then another. Then a third. Before we knew it, we were talking every day, like no time had passed at all. Except this time, it was different — we were both older, wiser, and more sure of the creative voices we had once silenced.

In those early conversations, we talked a lot about how lost we had both felt — not just in our creative journeys, but in our personal identities. We’d each gone through periods of shrinking ourselves to make others more comfortable. We had lost friendships. Questioned our paths. But in finding each other again, we realized:

We weren’t the problem.
We were just outgrowing the rooms we no longer fit into.

So we decided to dream together. Boldly. Out loud. Without apology.

From that moment on, we became more than just friends catching up — we became creative partners, co-founders, mirrors, and believers in one another’s dreams. Now, there isn’t a thought one of us has that the other hasn’t already felt. We work seamlessly. We don’t argue. We communicate. We challenge each other, support each other, and trust each other completely.
And somehow, we’ve become total opposites who fit together perfectly.

I’m incredibly grateful for Shakira — not just as my business partner in Made in Jersey, but as my best friend, my sounding board, and my creative counterpart. Our story isn’t just about launching a business, it’s about what happens when two people finally stop playing small and choose to build something big together.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

SHAKIRA: One of my biggest pivots came when I realized that success doesn’t always have to follow a traditional path. For years, I was laser-focused on climbing the ranks in the media industry. Producing shows, hitting deadlines, and chasing that next big interview. But over time, I started to feel a pull toward something deeper, something that connected creativity with community.

That realization led me to co-create Made in Jersey: Creative Collective. It was a complete shift from working behind the scenes in television to stepping into a leadership and community-building role. I had to learn how to balance both worlds, maintaining my full-time career while building a brand that spoke to my creative purpose. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me the power of time management, boundaries, and trusting that both versions of myself, the producer and the creative visionary, can coexist.

Even within Made in Jersey: Creative Collective, we’ve had to pivot. Early on, Marla and I wanted to do everything at once: events, partnerships, content. We quickly realized that building a sustainable community takes time. We had to slow down, re-evaluate, and focus on quality over quantity. That pivot taught us patience and intention. To grow at our own pace and stay rooted in our mission rather than comparison or pressure.

Those moments of redirection, both in my career and within the business, have shaped everything I do. Every pivot has reminded me that alignment matters more than speed, and that sometimes the biggest growth happens when you give yourself permission to find balance and begin again, differently.

MARLA: There’s always a moment in life that demands a pivot, a shift so big it doesn’t ask for your permission, it just changes everything. For me, that moment came in 2020, when my dad passed away. While some people remember the early days of the pandemic as a time of rest, baking bread, spending time with family, finding new hobbies.. I was grieving. And not just grieving, but completely lost. For six months after my dad’s death, I couldn’t tell you where I was, who I was, or what I was supposed to be doing. I moved through life like a shell, and honestly, that feeling didn’t leave for years.

Before that moment, I was someone with purpose. I had a plan: go to school, get a good job, make my parents proud. My dreams were never “too big,” because I had parents who made me believe I could do anything — and I believed them. But when my dad died, something shifted. I didn’t just lose him — I lost my belief in myself. I stopped dreaming altogether. I didn’t know where I belonged anymore.

The next three years were robotic. I made decisions out of survival, not inspiration. I pivoted where I lived, what I did, how I saw the world. I was just trying to make it through.

It wasn’t until I reached the acceptance phase of grief that something finally began to open up inside of me again. Slowly, I began to feel myself returning — the version of me who laughed freely, created for fun, went out not just to “go out” but to really live. I started to dream again. With intention.

Then, early 2025, I was furloughed. It triggered every emotion I had felt back in 2020 — fear, instability, hopelessness. But this time, something was different. I was different.

This time, I had a deeper sense of my why. I understood that pain had shaped me, but not defined me. And I had something I didn’t have before, a renewed connection with my best friend and future business partner, Shakira. Being around her reminded me what passion looked like. I didn’t have to carry the dream alone anymore. I had someone who believed in it just as much as I did.

That’s where Made in Jersey was born.

What could have stayed a dark place became the soil for something honest, intentional, and healing. We created a space that didn’t pretend life was perfect — but embraced the messy, uncertain, real parts of the creative journey.

That’s the core of who I am now — someone who knows that life will throw curveballs, tragedies, and unexpected detours. And I’ve learned that pivoting isn’t about failure. It’s about listening. It’s about trusting that every decision, every delay, every door that closes is still leading you somewhere with purpose.

Even in business — as co-founders, Shakira and I have had to pivot countless times. Event plans fall through. Budgets shift. Things don’t go the way we envisioned. But every time we adjust, we grow. We learn. We move with intention.

Looking back, I see now: the pivot that felt like the end of my world… was actually the beginning of something far bigger than I could’ve imagined.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeinjerseycc/?hl=en
• Other: https://linktr.ee/MadeinJerseyCC?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=15427806-4294-4a1a-8372-db6ad8b9c560