We recently connected with Nicolas Quintanilla and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicolas, thanks for joining us today. 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?

I remember that night vividly, I was in my room reading an article about the Latino Youth Vote, I read that Young voters can make a difference but they don’t vote. I began thinking in my head, What can I do to get the Latino Youth involved? I then came up with the idea of Starting Young Latino Democrats of Dallas, a couple days after that night I met with Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Carol Donovan, I pitched this idea to her she helped and I executed.

Young Latino Democrats had its first Meeting February 16th 2020 at 1414 N Washington Avenue, over 100 people were in attendance all wanting Political Representation.

Young Latino Democrats has grown over the years and has been able to accomplish many great things in Dallas County. It will continue to do so.

Our community still needs to continue its political progress to ensure that the growth in participation reflects the growth in population.

Nicolas, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Nicolas Quintanilla is a Student Activist, 16 years old, born in Dallas Texas, Owner of Quintanilla Marketing and Executive Director of Latino Votes Project L.L.C.

Nicolas has been involved trying to make a difference in the Latino Community. he led the fight to demand better food in Dallas Independent School District Campuses, it led to DISD launching an investigation into food contamination, he has organized annual community Christmas events where hundreds of toys and shoes are donated to the people. He has motivated, mentored and helped hundreds of individuals and till this day, he still does.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I had a presence already but I began getting involved in the Democratic Community, which was not my traditional field, I met a lot of people, built several relationships and Social Media throughout time grew. currently have a network of over 50,000 people.

I do Digital Marketing, I know and understand Social Media and the Internet, having that knowledge helps me spread the word to create IMPACT.

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

Well, my father is the reason why I am so resilient. I admire him so much. He is the reason why I am in this world. He’s played a great part in this journey.

Growing up, he might not have had the best life, he had to go through some times but he overcame. At 12 years old he founded, the 2nd largest street gang in Chicago, it was created for Friendship, and as a way to fight back against those who were trying to cause harm and Racism. At 17, he left the gang because he was about to be a teen father, he was already weary but he decided to start again, he began working to support his daughter , going to school, graduated from high school, with straight As and then received a full ride scholarship, he became active in the Latino Community, working at Erie House, and attempting to get jobs for Latinos, trying to bring positive change in the community at the Westtown coalition. he was executive director of one of the Largest Job Training programs in Chicago, operation S.E.A.R.C.H, he created IMPACT in Chicago in 1979-1983. Ever since then,

He’s done a lot of great things, he turned his life around, helped those who felt they had nowhere to go, now my father is a successful businessman, Activist and former candidate for Congress. He is the most visible Latino Activist in Texas. We’ll respected by the community.

He illustrates my resilience, helps me every step of the way. I am Nicolas Quintanilla because of him.

Contact Info:

• Website: NicolasQuintanilla.Co
• Instagram: NicolasQTX
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.quintanilla.90
• Twitter: NquintanillaTX

Image Credits
– Nicolas Quintanilla ( Rocky Carter Photography )