Today we’d like to introduce you to DyAnna Moreno.
DyAnna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story has taken many winding paths and always will. Looking back, every re-direction makes complete sense to me because I follow my intuition courageously, no matter what others think of my journey or how much I want to stay cozied up in my comfort zone. The common themes in all of my life going back to my furthest memory are love, community, and creativity.
I was born in a small town in New Jersey, raised in Miami, attended college in the South, navigated my younger twenties in Brooklyn, and now peacefully reside in Los Angeles. I almost moved to Stockholm once. I daydream about visiting again and living in Roma or Condesa in Mexico City more and more, let’s see what happens after November 3rd. It seems like a directionless, spontaneous life, but I have a saying that ironically grounds me, “always in transition”. Certainty doesn’t exist (as we’ve noticed this year), accepting this allows us to live more peacefully in the present.
I know deep down that I was put on Earth in this lifetime for a much bigger purpose than to only fulfill my needs and wants. My purpose is to help myself and others self-actualize our mightiest potential and highest selves for the greater good of all. In order to fulfill that, I’m intentionally open-minded and make space for different cultures, communities, and my curiosities to discover and advance creative ideas we all truly believe will make the world a better place.
Being raised in magnet art schools focusing on photography along with so many interests lead me to study graphic design and art history in college, where I could tie in all of my diverse interests. After graduation, I moved back to Miami and worked at a branding and experiential events agency for a year where I learned I love brand strategy and getting to the root of people’s “why”. In New York, I worked full-time at a corporate health and wellness start-up for another year. I was intrigued by the science of wellness but ultimately the corporate world isn’t for me. I then leaped into faith and developed DYMIN STUDIO. The foundation was branding but I freelanced with individual creatives and corporations like IMG Fashion, Ultra Music Records, Kobalt Music, and Adidas learning all sorts of ways to execute a vision. My favorite accomplishment of all in that city was biannually gathering all of my different friend groups pot-luck style and giving raw talent an opportunity to debut their music, exhibit their art, or meet their future collaborators.
On a work trip creative directing a music video in LA, I read “The Alchemist” in LAX. I really resonated with that story, specifically this quote “But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.” That was the catalyst for me to decide to move to Los Angeles, the Universe guided me towards the next steps and I listened very closely.
With privilege and the most gratitude, I can say this past year here has been the most peaceful one yet, ironically. I fight for my peace of mind every single day. Peace is equivalent to success to me. That’s all I truly desire. My peace comes from my morning ritual consisting of alkaline water, vitamins, tea, meditation, listening to music, reflective or gratitude journaling, yoga or a hike, a hearty breakfast, and greeting the birds and plants on slow walks with my Pug.
I see how working on myself every day translates into helping others, specifically showing young WOC what is possible for them. The younger you realize your power, the quicker you claim it, then hopefully, the fewer lessons you have to learn the hard way. This is why I see myself starting to transition more into a mentorship-like role and consulting platform combining my creative skills and experience with wellness and spiritual tools like meditation, tarot, astrology, and herbalism. I’m looking forward to how the rest of my story unfolds.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road the whole way, but what life worth living isn’t bumpy along the way? Again, I reference “The Alchemist” as a reminder. One of my main struggles has always been confronting the pressures to need to put myself in a box or drive down one lane only for the rest of my life. That doesn’t sit with me comfortably the way it does for most. Why do we have to make others comfortable when they ask us what we do for a living when we’re comfortable navigating it in a way that causes no harm to no one else and makes us feel at peace?
I didn’t always have the confidence to voice that aloud and because it’s my innate nature to nurture, I tried to go through life on a very linear path, checking all these imaginary boxes, and making myself small for others comfort. That eventually lead me to feel very lonely, imposter syndrome, and assimilation, especially in mostly white, patriarchal spaces *cringes*. It also physically and mentally made me feel frequent anxiety, depression, one suicide attempt, and a panic attack.
Some of the pressure came from my family, too, as a child of Dominican immigrants who moved to this country at pivotal times during their own growth but did not have the same privilege or awareness to explore their true purpose and passions. I understand their way of expressing their love for me is to want the best for me, but their version of “the best” only stems from their limited awareness at the time. Fortunately, my mom gets it or is more accepting and encouraging of however I choose to lead my life. She trusts that she raised my siblings and me with the tools to make the best decisions for ourselves.
Please tell us about DYMIN STUDIO.
DYMIN STUDIO is a multi-disciplinary creative platform that uses empathy and an insatiable curiosity to unveil people’s truths, genuinely build relationships, and connect communities with intention. The creative work is always informed by these insights and deep understanding. No shortcuts.
I’m motivated by inspiring confidence and self-actualization to manifest these newfound insights into creative manifestos that ultimately, positively impact the world. As a result, the visions and dreams of my clients always translate into evergreen brand strategies, intentional branding, crisp art direction, experiential experiences, and almost any creative execution that best delivers its mission supported by a network of like-minded, open-hearted creatives.
What sets DYMIN STUDIO apart is that it confidently owns that it couldn’t co-create such meaningful brands and work without adding an emotional touch and sensitivity to support the business side of things. Honestly, that is the sole key to future-proof brands, products, and services. Emotionally engaging concepts and experiences endure over time.
At first glance, clients always come to me expecting just to discuss the project at hand, but instead they always leave our call feeling like they went to therapy. Our first call together is always a result of a brand questionnaire I’ve created that encourages clients to explain to me the root of the brand’s intentions and vision. My favorite section of the questionnaire is “Intrinsic Beliefs”. I ask, “why do you personally believe in yourself and your brand? Where did this belief come from? Why are you the person to birth this brand? what do you want your brand’s legacy to be?”
Trust, you’re in good hands with an ambitious mind, sharp eyes, empathetic ears, and an intuitive heart. Overall, my intentions are always to be a light across the bridge, serve as a mirror for humanity, and help elevate the Soul of the world.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Besides listening to my gut from the beginning and owning what makes my business different, I wish I had more money saved before I started my business to give myself a cushion and properly invest in my launch, instead I went full-throttle and am still learning about financial literacy and business sustainability now. Money is energy too and shouldn’t be neglected or seen as the root of all evil. I am grateful for all who have supported me and given me sound advice along the way, especially my project managers Maxwell Adepoju and Lauren Gaspard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/dyminstudio/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyminstudio/
Image Credit:
Barbara Jayy Rios, Joshua Gonzalez
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
