Hello Mayeluz! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
My name is Mayeluz Navarro and I am the proud owner of Blue Diamond Photography & Videography. I specialize in celebrity-style personal branding, glam portraits, and boudoir photoshoots for real women. I love helping women elevate their brand, celebrate life, and raise their self-value. My biggest goal is inspiring women to embrace their inner beauty. I do that through my lens, by capturing the moments that make them feel confident and empowered.
So Mayeluz, what excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
What excites me more about being an Entreprenista League member is that it's an amazing community of passionate, supporting, and generous women who are making our world a better place.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Honestly, I think entrepreneurship is in my DNA. My grandmother was an amazing human being and a very good businesswoman. Even in a country where scarcity was the norm and there were a lot of government restrictions, she managed to raise four kids on her own, put food on the table and share her limited resources with neighbors, all through her entrepreneur endeavors. I have been self-employed for more than a decade now. I love the flexibility of being my own boss, especially while raising a family. I enjoy setting my own schedule and creating the perfect work environment for me.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
Prior to starting Blue Diamond Photography & Videography, I owned a translation and interpretation agency that provided language access to non-English speakers in South Florida. I am a National Board Certified Spanish Medical Interpreter and a former certified Spanish Court Interpreter in the state of Florida.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
No, I didn’t always know I wanted to be an entrepreneur. All throughout high school and while completing my undergraduate degree at Tufts University, I always thought I would just work for a stablished company. It was challenging finding a job after college. I did work for a couple of companies for 3-4 years, but once I started working for myself, I never looked back.
When you first started your biz, what was your initial marketing strategy to get the word out, and did it go as planned?
When I first launched Blue Diamond Photography & Videography, my marketing strategy was one on one networking with friends, neighbors, and local networking events. It went well, it allowed me to build a folio I love with people I knew.
Entreprenistas are resilient. What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way?
My biggest challenge so far is multitasking. As a solopreneur, I wear many hats. Managing it all and keeping a healthy life-work balance can be overwhelming at times. I am learning to be patient, trust the process, ask for help, and just enjoy the ride.
What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?
The accomplishment I am most proud of to date is my growth as an artist and business owner. The last three years have been an incredible journey. I am so grateful for the mentors, colleagues and communities that have welcomed me with open arms. I wouldn’t have advanced as much in my business without the support and guidance of communities like The Portrait System. And I know, I will continue to grow with the help of The Entreprenista League.
Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
I do believe in work/life balance. I believe our health and our relationship with our loved ones are as important as our work. So, I am learning to create boundaries that allow me to give my best to my clients, my family and myself. For instance, since I do work all week, I try to dedicate the weekends to be with family and friends. I also make time for playing every day with my daughter and read with her every night at bedtime.
Mayeluz, you have lots to celebrate! What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
Community and education are very important to me. Last year, I had the fortune to attend a life changing photography workshop in Italy. It was an amazing experience. I meet so many of my colleagues and mentors. And I am thrilled that this year, I will be attending The Portrait Masters Conference in September. It is going to be an epic event, and the last conference that my main mentor will attend. I am grateful to be there for her “last dance.”
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
Over the next few years, I want to continue serving the real women in my community. I want to assist them with personal branding images that save them time and make them money, I want to create stunning heirloom portraits for their families, I also want to empower them by create amazing boudoir albums and wall art. To me every woman is a work of art and deserves to be celebrated and documented.
Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!
About the Author
Entreprenista Team
