We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonia Guimbellot a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sonia, appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
“Legacy.” For such a small word, it has such a big meaning. It’s similar to Houston—big city, small town. This huge city is very large and constantly moving and shaking, but still, known for our networking, we work together to make sure we get our goals met for ourselves and for our community. I’ve always been a very strong, persistent person—someone who accomplishes what they set their mind to—but when I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to muster everything I could just to make it, Houston’s legacy of survival coincidently grew with me in how to thrive.
Legacy can be something tangible like property, money, or heirlooms, but I believe a true legacy encompasses the values and passions that fuel your family & friends. It’s perpetuated through family friends stories that are shared with loved ones at gatherings and values lived out on a daily basis. Leaving a legacy means giving something that will be valued and treasured by those who survive after your death—whether that is something tangible or not.
Everyone that knows me well; knows my Grand(ma) Eula was the closest to me that passed last July & while she did leave tangibles, it’s her humor & dignity I carry with me. We are connected by the legacies passed down from those who came before us and the legacies we will pass down to those we will leave behind. We are all connected by stories, traditions, memories, hopes, and dreams of generations that came before us, and I would like my legacy to be just as influential to future generations. I want to be remembered for my helpful advice, my humor, my bohemian yet classy style, my kindness, and my soaring personality. The greatest legacy I could leave behind is knowing that I positively impacted the lives of others. Suzanne Conner said, “Whenever you add value to other people’s lives, you are unknowingly leaving footprints on the sands of time that live on, even after your demise.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
It’s fitting that the name of this section of Voyage is called Canvas Rebel. My Mum always said I was a rebel with a cause taking calculated risks for ideals starting at the young age of just three years old when I escaped my Moses basket (crib). One night when Grandad was visiting, this PK (Preacher’s kid) climbed out of the cradle and somehow made it out of the house before they found me. Not much has changed—I still like my freedom, and if I’m in a confined space like a cubicle, it won’t be long before I’ve made my escape to the outside world! Alas, a glorious world of art everywhere too! I see it in all I create for companies to combine the human connection, abstract & literal both.
‘I think everything in life is art: What you do, how you dress, the way you love someone, and how you talk, your smile and your personality, what you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea, how you decorate your home, or party, your grocery list, the food you make, how your writing looks, and the way you feel. Life is art.’
Helena Bonham Carter
By representing Houston, the projects & I have blossomed into many industries, and I’m grateful to have a broad understanding of all the different ones. I’m proud to have worked with (and currently have) notoriously talented clients to showcase or highlight the best of their works. Being a business development professional includes everything from public relations, marketing, sales, and outreach. I’ve signed on with law firms, O&G companies, and art galleries to get them more involved from their usual in-house system. I have to believe in their mission before I fully commit. The results are quantifiable, and I can incorporate what I’m already doing within my publication’s media frame as well. The networking events and galas are live introductions we call liaising after seeing the target markets and best strengths for each organization.
The world cafes like NPR where community leaders open up conversations that affect all of us have been productive. It’s important to have a good relationship with all types of media outlets since you never know when a client will need any to communicate a message. Media got a bad wrap for awhile though there does exist protocol types & media with standards. I’ve helped birth them. Every community needs catalysts to improve standards for everyone. I hope more catalysts evolve, and / or we raise more!
***Sonia’s been called the magic numerous times even though her work is more from behind the scenes majority of time. Name an organization & she’s probably quietly helped them in some capacity.***
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Being selective as to who you have close to you because it’s a slow fade though eventually you can be drained or sharpened. It’s how people conduct their lives & the attitudes they choose that you must be cognizant and observe while interacting. I learned a hard lesson early in life that brought me to this consensus. I can share over tea 🫖
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Many do not know that I once was in a high profile relationship & car accident. I choose to leave that behind though it’s made me extra cautious on a life partner & on driving. I’d rather strategize my week towards what I absolutely must attend & do most in the same vicinity on the particular day. It’s made me laser-sharp on seeing a potential situation beforehand or arranging logistics LoL When you’ve had 10% chance of survival from a near death Batmobile looking vehicle that a close friend was racing with you as a passenger & there’s not making it out…you making it out the worst out of the alive ones….you cherish each day here. I’m so grateful to Dr. Red Duke & all on the Hermann hospital STICU team as well as Life Flight on June 12, 1999! I was in a comma for 2.5 weeks and dreamt of boy/girl twins that I actually had in reality naturally on September 15, 2005!!! Ava & Aiden Kennedy are my saving grace as I prayed hard to the Lord to just let me live to be a mom one day (though not yet b/c I was only 19 at the time & I wanted to have kids older) then iF he granted me that I would do His will. I never looked back. That’s the “magic” I keep hearing people say I do, the secret is it’s not all me (it is my willingness & actions though He brings forth some powerful things) as it’s that superpower deal we made on that helicopter that Summer night in 1999. I suppose it’s time I told who gets the real glory here. I seriously let him move things through me & He knows I’m open to it so I’ve gotten to meet some incredible super stars in my life thus far. I’m truly blessed. Thank you for reading & listening.
Contact Info:
- Website: iFMagazine.Net
- Instagram: @SoniaGuimbellot ~ https://www.instagram.com/soniaguimbellot/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/sonia.guimbellot
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniaguimbellot
- Twitter: @SoniaGuimbellot ~ https://twitter.com/SoniaGuimbellot
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3OSfWT_wRra9I6EXRCyJ_USxmEkY4jTX
- Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/pg/iFSoniaGuimbellot/posts/
- Other: Please do look for Reaction vids & Artists’ interviews will be posting on HighamAndAssociates YouTube channel~ Surely not to miss fun 🤩