Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Gonzales.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
About 6 years ago, I moved from the Bay Area to LA to pursue my acting career. I was so excited and I could not wait to jump in full force! Back then, I was just using Instagram occasionally to keep in touch with friends, etc. Somewhere along the way, I became more passionate about instagram and started being on the app WAY more. I started collaborating with local photographers to take fun photos, and my account started to grow. Fast forward to 2020 and I had my beautiful baby girl Zoe in January. My passion for acting has since faded away but my passion for sharing my story and being able to be my silly, carefree, momma self has blossomed.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to your goals is NEVER easy. If it is, then your goals aren’t far enough out of reach. With acting, I got frustrated because I was so passionate about what I wanted to do, but I just couldn’t get my foot in the door with the right people. Five years ago, I would never have thought that I would be passionate about anything other than acting, and because of that, I didn’t give myself room to be passionate about other things: I wanted to act and that was the only option. So when I wasn’t achieving my acting goals, I would constantly beat myself up. Then I had my daughter and my perspective changed. My life wasn’t just about me anymore and I realized all that hard work could be put into something I found to be more “fun“ instead of “work.” I think the hardest thing was opening my mind and saying, “it’s okay if I don’t want to act anymore” instead of thinking, “I should keep going for it because I set this goal for myself.” If you are passionate about something, give it your 1 million percent attention and work every day to achieve it. But ask yourself everyday “is this what I want,” because if it isn’t anymore, THAT’S OKAY!! Life is too short to be stubborn and keep turning your wheels just because you feel like you have to.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Well, to sum it up, I am an Instagram momma. STOP, that first thought that went into your head, just erase it, lol! I’m not the typical facade that’s out there “influencing” the masses to buy products (although they have influenced me to buy some stuff from time to time!) I am goofy, I am blunt, I am carefree. I love fitness, my daughter Zoe Danger, vegan food, and am currently practicing the art of not giving a fuck (shouldn’t we all?).
Which women have inspired you in your life?
I am not inspired by one specific person but am always inspired by an underdog. Anyone that has defied the odds to get where they are at today has my utmost respect. My husband is actually one of these people. When we first met, we were both broke, and when I say broke, I’m talking overdrawn accounts, fast food for dinner, all of it. He fought tooth and nail to get where he is at today and now has his own company, working with the top professionals in his field. RESPECT.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @StephanieGonzales.LA
Image Credit:
For the ab photo: @leyla.stefani
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