Exploring Life & Business with Natalia Diaz of Small Wonder Digital

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Diaz.

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?
As a child, I was always passionate and interested in everything that was art and science related. I remember taking my first programming class when I was 14 years old as part of an after-school program and I was hooked ever since.

Years later after attending The School of Visual Arts in NYC, during the dot.com era, I became more involved with IoT (internet of things) which prompted me to start my first dot.com business in 2005, that first-of-its-kind fashion network. Several years later I co-founded a mobile kids’ game with Russell Simmons and after a successful exit, it prompted me to embark on my own journey, establishing my own software agency, Small Wonder Digital.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Entrepreneurship is like a roller coaster, there are always going to be ups and downs. There will be times when you have to endure hardship, there is the adrenaline of trying to succeed and beating out the competition, and there are also times when you feel like you’re on top of the world.

As a CEO we all face struggles at some point during our entrepreneurial journey, it could be anything from not getting paid on time by a client, sacrificing your personal time with friends and family, not meeting considered deadlines, dealing with employees and there are times you have to sacrifice your own salary in order for your staff members to get paid on time.

We’ve been impressed with Small Wonder Digital, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Small Wonder Digital is a bespoke agency specializing in branding & strategy, product design, mobile, e-commerce, web development, database architecture, and Web3 founded by Natalia Diaz. Small Wonder is one of the leading technology agencies led and managed by a woman. Small Wonder Digital has launched over 40 digital web/mobile apps with high-grade, bespoke software that have been featured in Tech Crunch, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Variety, and Fast Company.

In 2019, Natalia and her team spearheaded the product design and development of Array Crew founded by Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay, backers include Apple, Amazon, Warner, Netflix, and other major studios. Array Crew is a database for Hollywood’s below-the-line crew members focusing on elevating women, people of color, and other underrepresented film and tv professionals and is currently utilized by 150 production companies. The web and mobile platform launched in March 2020 accumulated recognition from Hollywood’s most influential personalities and all major media outlets.

We offer a 360-degree consultative approach from ideation to implementation with every client. We focus on UI/UX, Web3, Mobile Applications, Database Architecture, Augmented Reality, and Strategy for businesses at every stage. We’re natural problem solvers creating innovative digital products designed to drive exponential growth for your brand

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk I’ve taken is starting my own business with no funding. Ninety percent of start-ups fail every year, you almost have to be a little delusional to think your company is going to make it. As a Latin female founder in a male-dominated industry, I find it an obstacle to be the only female in the room with an engineering background.

There’s always the fear of not having enough cash flow to maintain your business. I remember in the early days when I signed the lease on my first office, I questioned and worried that I was not going to be able to pay rent on time for a 4 personal office. Now our office size has significantly increased inside, yet there’s always that small concern that lingers in the back of your mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.smallwonder.digital
• Instagram: @nataliadw1