Meet Alyssa Marquez of Terri in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Marquez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Alyssa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I think about my personal story I think about my family and how they shaped me into the person I am today. I come from young parents. My mom was 16. My dad was 15. My grandparents played a huge role taking care of me growing up also. My dad lived in North Long Beach and my grandpa owns an auto body shop in the city. I always thought it was so cool that he worked for himself. He would take me to work with him sometimes, make me clock in, have little tasks for me, give me probably like twenty dollars at the end of the day. Looking back it really showed me the true meaning of hard work.

My mom lived in Lakewood with her three sisters and my grandma and grandpa. I’ve always had a lot of love around me always. I went to school in Long Beach until my mom thought the environment was too bad… she was right. Girls my age were wild, getting into fights, doing drugs, ditching school, one of my friends Jabari was killed. It was a lot to handle and I think she felt I needed a fresh start. So moving schools and not knowing anyone taught me how to adapt. Taught me who I was, who I wasn’t, I have always been very comfortable in my skin. But the ups and downs made me who I am. My city is full of culture, art, and the freedom to be who you want to be. So that always kept me going.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course, I struggle. Nothing good comes easy. At the end of the day you have to pick yourself up and you need to have close people around you to pick you up. I don’t think there’s such thing as a smooth road. Well, I never knew that life. Everybody has their own problems and struggles. I wasn’t super poor but I wasn’t rich. My mom was a single mom. Worked a lot of jobs. I just knew whatever I wanted, I had to work and get it myself. I think my biggest struggle lately is just trusting my own ideas and not doubting myself. I’m also a Gemini, so I’m very indecisive and a super perfectionist… so sometimes that prevents me from just simply putting out my work.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
My brand’s name is Terri. My grandmother’s name. She passed away years ago but I feel like everything I do or have done she’s a part of me. She’s in my soul. It’s my form of art, expressing myself through clothes, photoshoots, videos, art installations. I want to always tell a story with what I’m doing. I use it more as an outlet to express myself and let myself flow creatively. I feel like this I’m still in my beginning stages, like when you read a book and before you get to the first chapter there’s a little intro or background story. That’s where I’m at right now. I have so much more to go.

What were you like growing up?
My favorite memory from my childhood would probably just be being free and playing outside. So much simplicity in going outside and finding something to do and having fun when you’re a kid, now everyone is inside on the computers and phones.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

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