Meet Nadia Pignataro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Pignataro.

Hi Nadia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a kid, I loved art, I loved coming up with an idea and then bringing it to life. I always enjoyed styling, doing makeup, and taking photos of friends and family. I remember I would plan photoshoots and come up with concepts and then make my little sister and her friends model for me. As I got older, I think I got discouraged and felt like I had to play it safe and I kind of put myself in a box. When I graduated high school, I began pursuing child development because I loved working with kids. I enjoyed it for a while but then began feeling unmotivated and stuck in something I wasn’t completely passionate about. I worked as a preschool teacher for about five years and then when the pandemic hit, my job got shut down and I was out of work.

I began questioning my career and what I really wanted out of life. I decided to apply to FIDM which was my dream school since I was young. I felt like if I didn’t go after what I wanted now, I would never do it. I got accepted and began taking classes online for the next year. The program I was in required me to go on campus in Los Angeles, so I made a plan and moved down there the following year. Just this September, I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising and am working on launching my own brand! It’s been such a long journey finding myself and figuring out what I am passionate about and I’m so excited to see what the future holds for me

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, no. It’s been so hard for me and I think a huge reason is that I really struggle with depression and anxiety. I also have major imposter syndrome and I often feel that if things aren’t perfect, they are wrong and I should give up. I’ve always known deep down that I am intelligent and can do anything I set my mind to. I consistently have to push myself and put things into perspective to prevent myself from quitting this journey I am on. Also, with age, I have continued to grow into my truest self and feel like I have more of an idea of what matters in life. I can get so wrapped up in perfectionism and seeing growth immediately that I forget the purpose behind what I am doing and how far I have come. I still struggle, but luckily I have some amazing friends and business owners in my life who remind me I can do this and that what I have to say matters.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, I just graduated from fashion school with a marketing and merchandising degree and finally get to put it to use with my own brand/business. Everything is still in the works but I am so excited to share it with everyone when it’s the right time. During college, I decided to start a podcast because I really felt like social media is so vein and at times would consume me. I would get wrapped up in other people’s lives and constantly compare myself and then I felt alone and minuscule. It really affected my confidence and perception of the world and myself. I wanted to create a space where I could be completely honest and vulnerable and encourage others to do the same. I also am signed to an influencer agency so I am constantly doing content creation as well and I absolutely love it, it gives me the opportunity to create so many different concepts and style pieces however I want.

The thing I am most proud of is definitely graduating college, it felt so out of reach for so long and I never thought I would be able to pursue what I love and express the creativity inside me. It is crazy how everything worked out and I can’t wait to see what else comes out of this! I think what sets me apart is my honesty, I am a very open person and will talk just about anything. Sometimes I see this as a weakness, but I think vulnerability is desperately needed, especially now. It’s so comforting to know that deep down, we’re all the same and struggle with similar things. My true goal in life is to connect with others and make them feel loved and cared for. We need people to see our potential and help us tap into it and accomplish what we were made for and that is what I would love to do for others through my podcast, social media, and my brand.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Connection. I truly do have an existential crisis every day and struggle with the meaning of life; I know I will never have all the answers, however, I know that when I am truly connected to people and have genuine, authentic relationships where love is reciprocated, I feel at peace. I feel calm and know that somehow, everything will be okay. I think love and connection are what hold us together. When I am helping other people, it brings me so much joy. It humbles me to hear other people’s stories and helps shift my perspective and become more appreciative of my time on earth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/nadiamiaa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiampignataro/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kf7rXeVmQTSA82YP4112j?si=0463027434114169