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

Nadeli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Being an entrepreneur is undoubtedly one of the toughest paths I’ve ever taken, but it’s also the best decision I’ve ever made. There’s always been this inner drive in me to take action. Despite the chaos and challenges in my life, I’ve always felt empowered to make a difference in the world. I’ve known deep down that I can handle tough situations.

Working for a company provided a sense of security, but even when I had a stable, well-paying corporate job, I was always hustling with part-time gigs like bartending, tutoring, and freelancing. The truth is, I love working. I’m a hard worker and I find it rewarding to help others, so I knew there was more out there for me. I’ve also never liked feeling limited in a company. I’ve always seen potential for growth and had ideas for expansion in every job I’ve ever had, even when I was a teen working at a drycleaners and serving at Ihop.

Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood, even before I realized it. Now that I have the freedom to be whoever I want to be and run my business my way, it’s incredibly liberating. It’s taught me so much about myself and what I’m capable of. So yes, I am happy.

Nadeli, 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 Nadeli Cortez, founder of Plaza Digital Marketing and a brand designer at Omaha Lux Branding, and co-founder of Si Se Puede Omaha, a community organization launching in May of 2024.

My journey began with a passion for art and entrepreneurship, leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) as a Buffett Scholar. However, working two jobs in college made it difficult to complete all my art projects, and I soon realized that I needed to shift to a more financially rewarding career. This led me to switch my major to Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate, as I had aspirations of becoming a real estate investor.

Around the same time, I started my career in the real estate industry, working as an escrow assistant at a large corporate title company. I quickly advanced, becoming an escrow officer within a year. By this time, I was learning more about Real Estate in my job than I was in school so I decided to drop out of college. An opportunity then arose to be part of a new title company that my VP at the time was launching on her own, and I eagerly accepted.

When Unity Title Group began, we were a small team of four, no longer backed by a large corporate marketing team. Someone had to take on the marketing role, and given my creative inclination and some knowledge from college, I stepped up to the challenge.

Opening Plaza Digital was a challenging experience, as I ventured into it unprepared and without guidance. While I was pretty well-versed in graphic design and marketing strategies, the process of onboarding new clients and determining the right tools and delivery methods was a struggle. Initially, it was all about trial and error, learning what worked and what didn’t. At first, I wasn’t making much money, as I was juggling long hours with my full-time job and hesitant to charge what I was truly worth.

Over time, after working with a variety of clients across different industries and pulling countless all-nighters, things started to click. My vision became clear. I began by offering a wide range of marketing services, and if there was something I didn’t know, I’d dive into research and planning to become an expert overnight.

Now, Plaza Digital specializes in branding, graphic design, and social media marketing services. My offerings vary from a straightforward Marketing Strategy Session, where I guide you and you handle the execution, to comprehensive Marketing packages where I manage everything for you. I provide a range of options, including different levels of branding packages, graphic design project packages, social media management packages, paid ads packages, content creation packages, blog writing, and email marketing packages.

I decided to rebrand my business because I created the original brand in a rush and played it safe due to my fear of not attracting clients. My new brand, which will launch in April 2024, is a true reflection of who I am. Additionally, I’ve shifted my focus to better align with my personal mission of assisting underserved communities, particularly minority-owned businesses in need of bilingual content. I’ve identified a gap in the market for services catering to bilingual audiences, which has become one of my distinguishing features. My commitment to inclusivity and connecting with diverse audiences through compelling content sets me apart. I’m passionate about content creation, especially photography and short-form video content, which has drawn a significant portion of my clientele.

Currently, my priority is to expand my team. While I have the clientele, I can’t take on more clients without additional support. I recently hired another graphic designer to delegate some projects, as graphic design consumes most of my time. However, I’m urgently looking for a social media manager, content creator, or video editor for short-form videos. I’m selective in my hiring process; team members must grasp my vision and understand that my meticulous approach is what sets me apart. I’m a perfectionist, and while this has sometimes made my job harder, it’s also why I haven’t needed to market my own business—my work speaks for itself.

It’s important to me that my clients see me as a partner in growth, not just another contractor. I work with people who share my vision and values, and I don’t collaborate with businesses that don’t align with my life philosophy. I love providing affordable options for small businesses because I see us growing together. When I start working with you, I put myself in your shoes, treating your business as if it were my own.

In addition to Plaza Digital, I recently co-founded another company called Omaha Lux Branding. With four other women who were once my top competitors. But here’s the thing—I don’t believe in competition. There’s plenty of business to go around, and we all share similar values. I adore these women, so we thought, “Why not?” and took the plunge! We noticed a gap in our collective services. I cover everything except websites and professional photography. Vanessa excels in professional branding photography and strategy. Diana and Kassandra are the masters in web design. Together, we make a fantastic team. So, we decided to create something separate from our individual businesses, focusing on fewer clients but delivering higher quality, comprehensive services. Omaha Lux Branding is a one-stop shop, but it’s specifically for those who are serious about investing in rebranding and branding their business.

Another venture of mine, which started around the same time as Plaza Digital, was initially a hobby—a way to give back to the community, we called it “Si Se Puede Omaha”. It all started when this random dude, Nicolas Jaramillo aka Nico approached me at a networking event with the idea of supporting the Hispanic community in Omaha through video content marketing. His enthusiasm was infectious, and despite my busy schedule, I thought, “Why not?” and agreed to give it a shot during Hispanic Heritage Month.

We reached out to a few Hispanic-owned businesses in the area to create short promotional videos showcasing their stories as entrepreneurs. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Nicolas even secured us a spot in a local magazine, “Vida Social,” where we could further highlight six business owners every month for free. This project ignited a passion in me—I’ve always wanted to make a difference like this. The stories we uncovered made me feel deeply connected to our community.

However, producing six videos a month quickly became overwhelming for just the two of us. Recognizing the need to scale, we brought on two more team members: Francisco Sandoval and Maria Perez. We’re now taking this project more seriously, almost like a business, and are set to officially launch all of our “si se puede omaha” social media pages, including YouTube, in May. Our goal is to transform this into a nonprofit and continue growing our team to amplify our impact. We aim to not only put Omaha on the map but also help Hispanic-owned businesses expand their reach and educate them on the importance of digital marketing for their businesses.

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

One significant pivot in my life occurred when I transitioned from a career in the real estate industry, where I worked as an escrow officer for three years, to becoming an entrepreneur in the marketing industry. This shift was a challenge, as I was relatively new to marketing. I am someone who likes to thoroughly research and prepare before diving into a new field, aiming to feel confident in my expertise before offering advice or teaching others. This pivot put a lot of pressure on me in a short period of time.

However, I embraced the challenge and discovered just how resilient and capable I am. I proved to myself that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, especially when it’s something I’m passionate about. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of loving what I do. Realizing that the real estate industry no longer aligned with my passions, I made the decision to fully commit to my new path in marketing. This pivot not only marked a significant change in my career but also a pivotal moment in my personal growth and self-discovery.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Throughout my journey, I’ve had a lot of stories that I think illustrate my resilience, but one that I am truly proud of today, is my upbringing. I came from nothing. I was raised by a single immigrant mother that didn’t know the language, and didn’t have any kind of professional connections, she worked 2-3 minimum wage jobs for as long as I can remember. Education was pushed on us so hard so I knew I had to be successful in school. I love telling people I was a straight-A student until college because it makes sense for the person I am today. But, what’s often left unsaid is that I achieved academic success despite having no books at home, no tutors to help me with math, and my own struggles with speaking, anxiety, and undiagnosed ADHD until the age of 23, as mental health was not acknowledged in my culture. I was a quiet kid, not by choice, but because of these challenges. Even when my mother was deported during my sophomore year of high school, throwing my world into chaos, I persevered, graduating with AP and honors classes, with the full-ride buffet scholarship.

On paper, my achievements might mask the hardships I’ve endured, but they are a true reflection of my resilience. I used to think I was weak because I am sensitive and very emotional but I’ve come to realize that my emotional depth and experiences, far from being weaknesses, are the very things that have shaped my strength and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: coming so0n
• Instagram: creating_nadeli
• Facebook: Nadeli Cortez
• Linkedin: Nadeli Cortez
• Other: Find my business pages on Instagram and facebook as well. Plaza Digital Marketing Omaha Lux Branding Si Se Puede Omaha

Image Credits
Vanessa Mitera Branding – the photo of us girls for Omaha lux (the one with champaign glasses) Lucero Studios – headshot