Today we’d like to introduce you to James Vazquez
Hi James, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Evolution of Squirrelli
Early Hustle & Learning to Think Differently
I’ve always stood out as different—an introvert like Marshmello, Deadmau5, and Eminem. I didn’t just admire them—I studied their careers, their branding, and how they navigated their outsider status to build something iconic. Growing up, I was highly gifted in math, and by fifth grade, I was excelling. One of my biggest passions was chess, where I traveled to tournaments and almost always placed 1st. Unfortunately, after my chess teacher passed away, I stopped competing. My parents were hardworking and earned everything they had, instilling in me a deep appreciation for resilience and self-sufficiency. From a young age, I looked for ways to make money on my own terms. By high school, I was: • Selling Hot Cheetos & donuts to make extra cash. • Collecting water bottles from classmates to recycle for money at home. At the same time, I played sports, winning Most Improved Player while playing basketball at Cathedral High School. I also played volleyball and baseball at Sotomayor High School.
College, Business Leadership & Corporate Experience
While attending Cal State LA, I was working full-time while going to school full-time—something most students didn’t juggle. I graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration – operations management. Leadership Roles in College • Director of External Affairs for a business club, where I worked with 12 other chapters to create networking and social events. • President of a Business Simulation Team, where we won 1st place competing against other schools. • Member of the Marketing Club, where I gained insights into branding and business strategy.
First Corporate Job: Business Administration & CVS Management
After graduating, I took a business administration job, handling HR, accounting, finance, and vendor regulation. My dad wanted me to pursue a CFO position, and while I learned a lot directly from a CFO, I knew deep down that this wasn’t my future. Before that, at CVS, I was promoted to supervisor at just 18 years old. I was: • In charge of an entire store with only one other employee 75% of the time. • Managing vendor regulation, inventory control, and daily operations. • Handling customer service, team coordination, and conflict resolution.
Leaving Corporate: “The Millionaire Next Door” & Taking the Leap
I always had the entrepreneur mindset, but reading The Millionaire Next Door solidified my decision to quit my corporate job and bet on myself. The book emphasizes: “Wealth is more often the result of a lifestyle of hard work, perseverance, planning, and, most of all, self-discipline.” That hit home. I knew that if I stayed in corporate, I’d never have the freedom to build something truly my own. So, I left to create my own brand and income streams.
Developing a Unique Brand Identity
During college, I saw a TikTok that said, “Halloween starts on October 1st.” That year, I wanted to get a good costume early because the previous year, I was stuck with only a few options. So, I decided to go all out and bought a fully blown squirrel costume—not just a mask, but the full suit. On October 1st, I wore it to a business club social event, and people immediately reacted. It started as a joke, but I quickly saw the potential in creating content around it. Originally, I started making videos with a friend, but his job became demanding, and he no longer had time to help. That left me completely on my own, trying to figure out filming, editing, marketing, and branding from scratch. That’s when the brand evolution began: • Started as Squirrelliciousss → changed to Squirrelgrammm • Then to Mister Nuts → finally landed on Mr. Squirrelli • Even the Squirrelli logo has gone through three different versions, evolving with the brand. At the same time, I learned a harsh lesson about trust. At a mutual event at a gun range, I shared my Squirrelli brand ideas with someone. A month later, he launched a fox-themed brand—sounds familiar, right? That experience taught me to protect my creative ideas.
Survival Mode: Car Accident, 10-14 Hour Days & Ubering in Beverly Hills
Right as I was getting serious about building my brand, I got into a car accident. Since my insurance didn’t cover it, I had to pay off my car myself, which put me in a bind financially. Instead of slowing down, I worked even harder, putting in 10-14 hour days to keep things going. “I was afraid to make a single sound Afraid I would never find a way out Afraid I’d never be found I didn’t wanna go another round” That lyric from Guts Over Fear stuck with me. It reminded me that fear was my biggest obstacle—not my circumstances. I had to keep pushing forward, no matter what.
Photography, Modeling, & High-End Events
I started by hosting a couple of group photoshoots, learning firsthand how to network effectively and build connections with influencers, event organizers, and brands. I worked with Affinity Nightlife, Teatro, A2Group, and Babes in Toyland for networking and recruiting models, while also doing photography for modeling events and photoshoots with Sleek Models and RagzALCModels. At the same time, I was introduced to the shady side of Hollywood: • My model friend had $8,000 stolen from an agency that abused their power. • A former connection tried to convince me to send models for “content creation” that crossed ethical lines—I said no to that grimey money. Someone even laughed in the background on the phone when they mentioned “collaborating with the models”. • I also learned that not everyone follows through on their word—someone I worked with ended up owing me rent money and never paid. “Wanna make it with the people who was there from the start.” That line from Strictly Business by Lil Skies stuck with me. I realized I needed to be more selective about who I work with—only those who share my vision and loyalty.
The Future of Squirrelli: Scaling & Creative Expansion
I’m partnering with Luxe Networks to host a major March launch event, featuring top-tier networks and luxury brands. At the same time, I was practicing DJing and realized that Mr. Squirrelli as a DJ and Squirrelli Girls as a modeling agency could go hand-in-hand.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles & Challenges: The Road to Building Squirrelli
Success doesn’t happen overnight—it takes babysteps, persistence, and constant learning. There’s no shortcut. As a creative, I’ve struggled with wanting to jump onto the next big idea before fully executing the last. My mind is always generating new concepts, but I’ve learned that discipline and follow-through are just as important as creativity.
Balancing Burnout & Business Growth
From the start, I was juggling multiple responsibilities while trying to build Squirrelli. I was managing all the administrative tasks of the modeling agency, handling communication with talent, organizing photoshoots, practicing DJing, and working two jobs—substitute teaching and Ubering—to fund the business. At the same time, I was paying off my car after an accident, since insurance didn’t cover it.
Most days were 10-14 hours long, and I had to make sacrifices, giving up my Friday & Saturday nights to invest in my brand instead of going out.
At the same time, I had to navigate the social dynamics of Hollywood. Some people saw my network of models and influencers as something to take advantage of, rather than as a mutually beneficial business opportunity. Early on, I saw that not everyone follows through on their word—some overpromise and underdeliver, while others try to use your resources without giving value in return.
The Turning Point: Learning to Outsource & Scale
When I read The 4-Hour Workweek, I realized I didn’t have to do everything myself. The book emphasized that outsourcing repetitive and time-consuming tasks to virtual assistants frees up time for high-level business growth. So I took action, hiring a VA for lead generation and outreach and a social media manager to handle content scheduling and engagement.
At first, letting go of control was tough, but I quickly saw the impact—I could now focus on networking, strategy, and growing the brand instead of getting buried in admin work.
Navigating an Industry Where I Was the Youngest in the Room
As of November 2024, I turned 26 years old, and most of the people I network with at high-end events are in their 30s and 40s. Early on, this gave me imposter syndrome—I felt like I didn’t belong. But I came to realize:
Everyone starts somewhere. Success isn’t about age—it’s about execution.
That mindset shift gave me the confidence to own my space in these rooms. Now, I study the top players, observe their moves, and apply those lessons to Squirrelli.
I was also exposed to the shady side of Hollywood. A former connection tried to get me to send models for “content creation” that crossed ethical lines in exchange for money—I said no to that grimey money. Another person I worked with owed me rent money and never paid, which taught me to only work with people who show integrity in business. Now, I’m highly selective about who I work with and what I associate my brand with.
Why I Keep Pushing: From Survival Mode to True Creative Expression
Right now, I’m still in survival mode, balancing substitute teaching, Uber, and business-building. But once the right deals start happening, I can fully step into creative sales and entertainment—the space where I thrive.
That’s why my favorite lyrics are from Guts Over Fear by Eminem:
“Bet you feel the same way I felt when I was in the same place you are… when I was afraid to make a single sound.”
And from Strictly Business by Lil Skies:
“Wanna make it with the people who was there from the start.”
Everything I’ve built so far is from ground zero—and I’m just getting started.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Squirrelli?
Squirrelli: A Multi-Faceted Brand in Luxury Events, Talent Management, and Social Media Strategy
Squirrelli is more than just a name—it’s a growing brand that bridges luxury events, influencer marketing, and content creation. What started as a viral content idea has now evolved into a business that connects models, influencers, photographers, and videographers with high-end brands and exclusive opportunities.
What We Do & Specializations
Squirrelli operates at the intersection of:
• Luxury Event Coordination – Partnering with Luxe Networks and other high-end brands to create premium networking and entertainment experiences.
• Talent & Model Management – Recruiting models and influencers for brand collaborations, photoshoots, red-carpet appearances, and elite social events.
• Social Media Management & Brand Strategy – Helping brands and influencers grow their online presence through strategic content creation, audience engagement, and viral marketing.
• Photography & Videography – Coordinating high-quality production teams for brands, events, and personal branding projects.
I’ve worked with groups like Affinity Nightlife, Teatro, A2Group, Babes in Toyland, Sleek Models, and RagzALCModels, helping with high-profile event coordination, content creation, model recruitment, and luxury networking.
What Sets Us Apart?
Unlike traditional agencies that focus solely on talent placement, Squirrelli integrates both business strategy and creative execution. I’ve built a trusted network by navigating the high-end event space with integrity, ensuring that both models and brands get value-driven partnerships.
Additionally, I’ve combined my business background, college education, social media expertise, and photography/videography experience to create a 360-degree brand that provides both creative and strategic value.
Proud Moments & Future Vision
• Organizing a large-scale photoshoot with 20 models and 10 photographers entirely on my own, proving my ability to execute high-level productions.
• Turning social media content creation into a legitimate business model by leveraging influencer marketing and networking.
• Scaling Squirrelli through smart delegation, hiring virtual assistants and social media managers to streamline operations.
• Learning firsthand the importance of trust and selectivity in Hollywood, ensuring that every collaboration aligns with the brand’s values.
• Preparing to launch Mr. Squirrelli as a DJ at the end of March, aligning music entertainment with luxury event experiences and expanding the brand into high-end nightlife.
The long-term vision for Squirrelli is to expand into an agency that offers full-service brand partnerships, influencer marketing, high-end content production, and luxury entertainment, creating a scalable business model that thrives in the social media, nightlife, and entertainment industries.
Squirrelli isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement built on strategy, execution, and exclusive access to top-tier opportunities.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-Taking: The Foundation of Growth
I believe risk is the price of opportunity—the people who get ahead in life are the ones willing to take chances while others hesitate. As Alex Hormozi says, “The risk is in not taking the risk.” Playing it safe guarantees nothing changes, but betting on yourself, even when uncertain, creates new possibilities.
Major Risks I’ve Taken:
• Quitting My Office Job – Leaving a stable paycheck after reading The Millionaire Next Door, which emphasized that true wealth comes from ownership, not employment.
• Investing My Own Money Into Business – Instead of playing it safe, I put money into Squirrelli’s brand development, social media growth, and a modeling agency launch—without knowing the return.
• Starting Over After a Car Accident – With no insurance payout, I worked 10-14 hour days Ubering and substitute teaching to pay off my car while still funding my business.
• Developing a Unique Brand Identity – I recognized the potential of strategic branding and content creation, which led to opportunities in high-end events, influencer networking, and entertainment collaborations.
• Saying No to Shady Deals – I had offers to compromise my values for money (modeling industry scams, “content deals” that crossed ethical lines), but I refused. It’s a risk to turn down fast money, but I believe playing the long game builds real credibility and trust.
My Perspective on Risk:
I’ve learned that risk isn’t about recklessness—it’s about calculated bets. The key is mitigating downside while maximizing potential upside. Books like The 4-Hour Workweek talk about leveraging outsourcing and automating tasks, which I’ve applied by delegating work to VAs and a social media manager, reducing risk in my operations.
The biggest risk is regret. I’d rather fail while trying than live wondering “what if?” Every successful entrepreneur I’ve studied—whether Alex Hormozi, Tim Ferriss, or the self-made business owners I’ve met while Ubering in Beverly Hills—shares the same mindset:
“Action is the antidote to fear.”
And that’s why I keep betting on myself.
Pricing:
- Brand Collaborations – custom pricing based on campaign scope and deliverables
- Social Media Promo – varies based on reach & engagement
- Event Hosting & Influencer Guest Bookings – pricing varies based on event size, attendance expectations, and influencer participation
- Photography / Videography for Events & Brands – custom pricing based on project scope and deliverables
- Modeling Agency Brand Promotions(Squirrelli Girls) – custom packages available for event activations, brand sponsorships, and influencer partnerships
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.squirrelli.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesavazquez/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-vazquez-a9946a173/
