Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelique Gonzales
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When people ask me what my story? I tell them I feel like Hannah Montana; I get the best of both worlds.
I grew up in a small farm town in Central California called San Juan Bautista. San Juan is an old mission town where tourists come to soak up the rich religious culture and where the locals never leave because of how comfortable they are with their simple lives. I always felt like I was trapped in a bubble, not free to express myself fully, like something was always missing. I didn’t know how, but since I was a little girl, I knew I was destined for greatness. I knew that that greatness was going to be sought out in Los Angeles.
I graduated high school during the pandemic, and my whole plan changed. I’ve always been goal-oriented, and when the pandemic happened, I had to rethink my plans for college, and my whole future changed. I took a gap year to focus on making money and spending time with my family, but mainly because I was so lost in our “new normal,” I didn’t know where to go from there. One day, I got a call from a FIDM admissions advisor asking if I’d like to apply. I took that opportunity fast, knowing that this was what I was waiting for. I got accepted 2 weeks later, and I got up and moved my life out of my small farm town to move and make a life of my own in the City of Angels.
The one thing everyone told me was that I was so brave. That made me feel so different from the rest because I knew that people thought I was crazy for making such an outstanding and scary decision to move to Los Angeles alone at 18 years old. That craziness only fueled me more into believing that this was destiny. So I finally left my old small farm town and headed into unknown greatness.
When I started at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, I was very intimidated. I was never the most fashionable; this was the first time I had ever been alone. To my surprise, I was immediately surrounded by like-minded individuals who were all different but the same. We were all the “brave ones,” the family’s black sheep. It was like everyone and everything that I had been searching for was finally at my fingertips.
When I say that I am Hannah Montana, it is because I came from the country, and now I feel like a superstar in this big city. When I start to feel lost, I go back home where I can be surrounded by loving family and nature. When I feel ready to shine, I step into the city and fly like the angel I know I am.
For every day of my life, I have strived to be the best. I know exactly who my future self is, and nothing will stop me from meeting her. One thing that has never held me back is my lack of experience. “Fake it till you make it,” I tell myself every time. Even now, with a company, a portfolio, and a wide network. I fake it till I make it. My career is when I meet my best friends in college. These beautiful and talented artists help me get my foot in the door. All it took to land my first big job was creating art with the people i love.
My first job was styling for a music video. 3 videos in 3 days, and I didn’t know shit about how to be a stylist. I didn’t let it stop me; I used the internet, the help of my friends, and asked around for advice to be able to execute this project. I walked into the first day of shooting with confidence, and that’s all that it took, and I killed it. After that, the jobs kept rolling in. All you need to do is believe in yourself. I say fake it until you make it, but don’t fake it unless you know you could kill it. You could be the most talented person in the room, but without confidence and a hard work ethic, you’ll be wasted potential. Failing should never be an option; I live by that. What’s life without risk?
Since then, I have strengthened my styling experience, graduated from FIDM, and started my own company. In January 2022, I met someone, and this person turned their life into their own business. This was such an inspiration to me. I was already styling, working fashion shows, and doing social media. So, I decided the company I see myself growing into an empire will be an exact representation of me. That’s when AG Creative Agency was born. A place where creatives can use all their options with no limitations. Along the way, my best friend and business partner, Caliope Mckinsey, has joined AG Creative as our CMO, taking the company to a new level. AG would not be where it is today without our lovey Calliope.
At AG Creative, we are the architects of artistic connections in the heart of Los Angeles, California. As a dynamic creative agency duo, our mission is to bridge the gap between up-and-coming talents in the fashion world. Specializing in curating collaborations among stylists, designers, makeup artists, hairstylists, models, and more, we are the catalyst for THE NEXT WAVE OF FASHION EXCELLENCE. Our passion lies in the seamless fusion of creativity and industry expertise, and we take pride in orchestrating photoshoots and events that showcase the raw talent and unique visions of our diverse roster. From runway-ready designs to avant-garde beauty concepts, AG Creative is the canvas where innovation and style converge. With each day, we grow bigger. We are a dedicated group of individuals who are determined to take over the fashion industry on the West Coast.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every day is a struggle. The life of a young entrepreneur isn’t easy. You will go through life broke until you’re rich. Life will knock you down repeatedly. What will make you grow is how you learn from those actions, take them into accountability, move differently, and get the f*ck back up and put in the work. For me, it seems like I can never catch a break. Life knocks me down, and I get up, and I grow strong every time. Failure is not an option; I never go back and always go forward.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Los Angeles is a City of Angels, and we are the sons of god. I give everything to this city. I would not be where i am without LA. This is my home and my people. As a native Californian who grew up in central California, LA is like no other place in California or the world. Here you can be who ever you want to be. That is what i love about LA.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aangeliqueg/
