Angela Acosta Empowers Women Through Photography

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I'm Angela Acosta, a Jersey girl, Dominican-American, the founder of Angela Atelier, and a co-founder of The Gal Project! I always joke that I spent 30 years in corporate and got stuck on the third rung because going higher meant, god forbid, someone might see me. I hung on to that third rung for a while before I realized I wanted a bigger life, a bolder me. So I finally ditched the corporate world to pursue my passion for photography and media. Now, I empower women to see themselves in a whole new light through my photography and through the articles in The Gal Project Media platforms. I'm on a mission to help women own their stories, their beauty, and their power!

Who are your customers?

I work with women, especially female entrepreneurs and business owners in the NY metro area, who want to redefine their self-image personally or boost their brand visibility. Through my photography studio, Angela Atelier, I provide women a safe space to explore transformation through photography. And through The Gal Project, my media arm, I support women who are bold, ambitious, and fierce (BAF) and need resources and community to live their best lives.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I spent 30 years in corporate, but I definitely wasn't climbing any ladders! I liked it right there on the third rung, where I could support others and let them shine. I took pride in being the invisible force, always supportive, and never taking credit for my projects. That's my story. But don't get me wrong—I accomplished some great things. As a Senior Risk Analyst, I oversaw the company's global casualty program and called the shots on the U.S. side of the program and designed and implemented programs that save the company millions each year.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I rolled out of bed one morning, and I was a changed woman—it was my 50th birthday. This milestone gave me the clarity to finally see what I'd been denying myself my whole life.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Honestly, looking back, it feels like I was always meant to do my own thing. My corporate career? It was a means to an end, not a passion. I landed that job when I was 25 and broke. I had been unemployed for six months before then, so I didn't have time to plan out my life's purpose; I was in survival mode! Desperate to pay my bills, I even unplugged my fridge to save a few dollars a month on the electric bill.

So, that corporate job was a lifeline because my other options weren't great—and I was young, rudderless, and mentorless—I needed something.

But over time, something shifted. That’s when I started dabbling in passion projects—from furniture restoration to event planning—always wondering if I could turn them into a business.

The urge to be my own boss grew stronger, leading me to launch a soy candle business at one point. It didn't last, but it proved I needed to control my path.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

I launched Angela Atelier in 2018 while I was still grinding in corporate. So my "marketing plan" was straight from my mentor's playbook—networking and social media. So easy, she said. Yeah, right!

Trying to do that while you’re still identifying as a corporate employee—having toted their script for almost your whole life is near impossible. My corporate identity completely pummeled my 'newborn' business owner identity. 

What was I supposed to talk about at these networking events? All I knew was Worker Comp! The photographer in me just got lost. It felt totally disconnected. So for a long time I was basically just throwing Dominican spaghetti at the wall to see what would stick. Have you had Dominican spaghetti? It's on the oily side, so you get my point. 

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

After ditching the corporate world, I was finally able to pour all my energy into my business. But the biggest challenge was transforming myself from a corporate employee who loved blending into the wall into a full-fledged business owner AND learning every aspect of marketing from scratch. It was ugly and beautiful at the same time. 

I had to deconstruct a lifetime of ingrained thinking to recreate myself. I lived and breathed this transitional existence for over a year—sleepless nights, constant self-doubt, a lot of crying—until I finally emerged, having shed thick layers of the old me so I could make room for the new. It was tough. 

At first, it felt like I'd wasted 30 years living a life I never wanted. But then I learned to love that old version of myself. She put a roof over my head for 30 years, and she gave me some seriously badass business skills: data analysis, team building, workflows, and systems on a large scale. So, yeah, it was a challenge, but going through it, it's now a vital part of my story and my education.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

My biggest accomplishment is simple: just showing up for myself and for my business. Putting myself out there in ways I never would have imagined possible years ago. It's a big deal, honestly. For years, I played it safe. Now, I'm taking risks, being visible, and pushing myself way outside my comfort zone. And that feels amazing.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes! I'm really proud of the community I've built around my business. Seeing other women connect and collaborate because of something I created is incredibly rewarding. I've also been getting great feedback on my work with Angela Atelier, helping women entrepreneurs define and communicate their brand with confidence.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I'm looking to scale. I launched the media leg of my business two years ago, The Gal Project magazine, which includes the Diana Prince Lives Next Door podcast. My hope is to build that out and grow The Gal Project community.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Don't believe the hype on popular tools. Instead, find a productivity tool that works like you do. When I jumped into my business journey, I couldn't figure out why it was so difficult for me to use the tools marketed to entrepreneurs. I was a tech wizard in corporate, so why was I struggling with this app or that one? But what I learned is that those tools are designed around someone else’s idea of organization and flow; my flow was the complete opposite. So if you’re struggling even just a bit with an app—maybe it takes a while for your brain to make sense of the screen—it's not you. Always search for a tool that doesn't require you to rewire your brain. You'll get more done that way.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

A while ago, I decided to embrace the outdoors, even during the winter months—it turned out to be such a game-changer for me. There's something so energizing about the cold hitting your face; it resets me between calls. I've also started time blocking an end-of-day routine, closing out emails, and then moving on to a workout, cooking, or reading. This ritual helps me sleep soundly and truly disconnect from work. I've even started hiking with my husband, but we’re still working on making that a regular routine!

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

If it's not on my project manager, it won't get done. So I have a whole space there dedicated to personal goals, family events, vacations, and milestones. I have aging parents, so even their stuff is there. All of it coexists with my business goals and gets the same attention.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I joined Entreprenista early on, but my focus was elsewhere because I was deeply involved with another community at the time. So, I didn't give my Entreprenista membership much thought, and I really leaned into the other group. What I wish I had known then is that not all communities are created equal. They may all promise business growth, but not all of them actually help you get there.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

It's definitely my camera app. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have a camera on me at any given time. I love capturing moments, finding beauty in the everyday, and just being able to document the world around me.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

It's ChatGPT, but I use it through an app called Merlin. I can develop a knowledge base about every aspect of my business and program my own assistants. So, I don’t have to start from scratch giving context on every prompt. I have a whole team in there ready to help me out!

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Just start. I know you're probably terrified of that first step and what's waiting for you on the journey—the messy middle when you don't know what the f*ck to do next. That feeling will always be there, but if you don't walk through it, you'll never get to where you want to be. And trust me, it's beautiful on the other side. Also know there are communities ready to support you and resources you can tap into; know that and do it.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!