Today we’d like to introduce you to Yulia Gonzalez.
Hi Yulia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career in the entertainment industry, producing social media campaigns for studios and networks like HBO, BET, NBCUniversal, STARZ, and the NFL. I fell in love with storytelling, creating content that could inspire emotion, build community, and connect people across cultures.
During the pandemic, I began making videos on TikTok as @yuliaxgon, focusing on Chicano history and culture. About two years ago, after watching Willy Chavarria’s “America” collection at New York Fashion Week, I started creating more videos about Chicano fashion and identity. My videos breaking down Willy Chavarria’s designs reached a wide audience, and Willy himself shared my work on his Instagram. I also created a video about Rick Owens’ Mexican heritage and how it influenced his Tecuatl collection, which was later featured on Complex Style.
Around that same time, I co-founded CoCreator X with my business partner Shemar “OFTN” Alexander. We are both content creators, and we built our company to help others do the same, to become the face of their own story and grow through video media. Together, we create original content, develop video media strategies, and teach workshops that help founders and artists understand how to thrive in today’s algorithm-driven world.
OFTN has also gone viral with his Toronto in a Minute video series on Instagram, breaking down key artists, cultural icons, food, and everyday life in Toronto. Together, our work is a testament to our shared love for content creation and our commitment to helping elevate our communities through storytelling.
This is now my third year teaching at the GRAMMY Museum and my third year guest lecturing at UCLA Extension, where I help students and professionals learn how to craft their on-camera presence and tell stories that feel real, human, and culturally grounded.
For me, storytelling is a way to preserve heritage and build community. Every video is both an archive and an invitation, a way for people to see themselves reflected in the world we are creating online.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Before starting our company, I worked at a tech company in the Bay Area, where I focused on social media and video strategy. When the wave of tech layoffs hit in 2023, both my business partner, Shemar “OFTN” Alexander, and I were laid off around the same time. That experience became a major turning point in our lives.
Instead of trying to find new jobs, we decided to build something of our own and founded CoCreator X. We started producing videos, developing video media strategies, and teaching workshops and bootcamps to help other creators and entrepreneurs learn how to grow through storytelling and video.
It wasn’t always easy, but those challenges taught us resilience and gave us a clear sense of purpose. What started as a setback became the foundation for a business that now helps others share their stories and build community through content creation. We like to say we are content creators who are in the trenches, creating every day, and that is what makes us great teachers. We do not just talk about it, we live it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a content creator and educator who specializes in video media and cultural storytelling. Through my platform @yuliaxgon, I create videos that explore Chicano fashion, Los Angeles culture, and identity. My goal is to document and celebrate stories that often go untold while showing how history and creativity shape modern culture.
I am known for creating educational, story-driven videos that connect fashion, art, and heritage. My breakdowns of Willy Chavarria’s designs went viral and were shared by Willy himself, and my video about Rick Owens’ Mexican heritage and his Tecuatl collection was featured on Complex Style. Those moments are special to me because they show that cultural storytelling can resonate across audiences and inspire people to look deeper into their roots.
Through CoCreator X, the company I co-founded with my business partner Shemar “OFTN” Alexander, we help founders, artists, and entrepreneurs become content creators. We specialize in video media strategy, production, and education. Our approach is hands-on and grounded in experience. OFTN’s Toronto in a Minute video series has gone viral on Instagram, and our teaching reflects that real-world success. We like to say we are content creators in the trenches, creating every day and helping others do the same.
What sets us apart is that we combine creativity, cultural understanding, and strategy. We do not just teach theory; we live this work. We know what it takes to make a video connect because we create alongside the people we teach. I am most proud of helping others find their voice on camera and watching them realize that their story matters.
What’s next?
Right now, I am part of the TikTok Creator Program and working toward joining the YouTube Creator Program as well. My focus is on continuing to grow CoCreator X, expanding our client base, and hosting more bootcamps to help founders and entrepreneurs become confident content creators.
I am also launching a new channel called Burbank Arc, where I share the history of Burbank, its cultural heritage, and local businesses. The goal is to help bring the “Media Capital of the World” back to its creative heyday by highlighting the stories of the people and places that make it special.
Through CoCreator X, we host monthly Content Creator Meetups where creators from all over Los Angeles County come together for roundtable conversations. It is a space to share ideas, get support, and find accountability partners. These gatherings have become a way for us to build a creative community rooted in collaboration and growth.
Our long-term vision is to expand CoCreator X into a creative hub for Los Angeles County, a place where creators can film, learn, and connect with others in their community. We want to make content creation accessible and collaborative, giving people the tools and support to share their stories with the world.
One of my biggest goals is to bring a TEDx Talk to Burbank and continue supporting the city through education and storytelling. I believe content creation is one of the most powerful tools we have today to connect communities, preserve culture, and expand our reach far beyond where we start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cocreatorx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuliaxgon, instagram.com/torontoinaminute, and https://www.instagram.com/avataroftn
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yuliaxgon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yuliaxgon
