Daily Inspiration: Meet Hilda Franco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilda Franco.

Hi Hilda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Many years ago my parents fled a war in El Salvador for a better life, so I was lucky to be born and raised in Los Angeles. I grew up in Virgil Village my entire life. I am a proud first-generation college student and attended Cal State Fullerton where I studied communications. Unfortunately since I was a 2020 graduate, I did not get to walk the stage due to the pandemic but it was still one of my greatest accomplishments. During college, I felt like I hadn’t found what my purpose was. I went into the workforce and was blessed to be able to find a job in Public Relations at an agency in LA, but I wanted to be more than just my job. I felt lost and didn’t have many hobbies. I knew I always wanted to be in front of a camera, but insecurities held me back. I watched so many people follow their dreams – and 24 years later in 2022, I finally built up the courage and confidence to start creating content and it was an instant passion that came easy because I was just myself – but now recording it.

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?
Far from it. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always internally struggled with body image issues. I have been reminded constantly by so many people that I’m a big girl, which I always oddly found also funny because hello? I own I mirror! hahaha. But now that I’m open about my body image issues, so many people told me they could never tell I was insecure because I was always smiling and happy. Honestly, I was faking it, but I got so good at it that 25 years later, I’m not faking it. I slowly became confident in who I am as a plus-size woman and creator. The hardest part was getting myself to believe that my value was not attached to my physical vessel but rather the person I am, my soul. I was limited to a lot of opportunities growing up because I do not come from a wealthy family. But that’s why I’m determined to become financially stable and build generational wealth in my family, as well as hope to retire my parents. Content creation isn’t easy when you’re new to the industry, on top of working a 9-5 job, but there’s a lot behind the scenes that people don’t talk about. Whether that be gadgets, software programs or even just maintenance. You don’t need those items, but it can be what sometimes sets you apart. I also felt like I never saw Salvadorans in mainstream media/social media. I got tired of not seeing the representation so I became it and I hope younger generations look at me and know it is possible.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Latina Hair/Beauty and Lifestyle content creator! I have curly hair that I grew up not knowing how to take care of and now I share tips and tricks with others because maintaining healthy curly hair is not easy so I want to teach others how to take care of their hair so they can protect their beautiful waves, curls and coils! I also love sharing simple make up/ make up looks. My motto is “do what makes you feel good” so I share different products that increase my confidence and make me feel good. I also talk often about my self-love journey and how I hope to inspire others to live a life they love and to love themselves. Life is too short to be mean to ourselves, and I know so many women have this same struggle, so I say “hey, we’re in this journey together!”. I always make sure to let my audience know I don’t have it all figured out, I’m not a finished piece because life is a forever lesson. I also feel I bring some humor to some of my content. (I mean, I did win class clown in college, high school and middle school, but who’s keeping track). I’m really proud of my content so far. I’ve been invited to a couple of events by some big brands, which makes me feel like I’m on the right path! Even though that is amazing, the most proud part of my content journey is my community. I am nothing without them. The people who support me and my content are people who love me for me and support whatever I decide to do/post. They are so incredible and make me feel so supported and mostly importantly seen, which allows me to continue to create a positive online space and grow!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
If there’s anything I’ve learned is to be yourself and to not gatekeep. Being yourself is so important in this industry because although I love social media not everything is always what it looks like. You want to build a genuine community with people, and you need to be kind, open and not afraid to show who you are. People will see through you if you’re not. I will also never forget where I come from and never take anything for granted. That’s why I say creators shouldn’t gatekeep. No one is your competition except for yourself. If an opportunity is yours, it’s already yours and no one can take it from you. That’s why I love the community on TikTok because we inspire, share and support. That’s why if you’re on your creative journey, don’t give up, your community is out there and you WILL find them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/hildafranco
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildduuh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloHildaFranco/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMs85WPVWBAxBpdyYG3Ku8w
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hilda_franco

Image Credits
For main personal picture in blue dress and graduation picture please provide photography credit to: Charles Amenya