We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
People. Stories. Human Connections. In my late 20’s, I searched for a creative outlet, and it came by way of photography. Being a photographer breathed new life in me and set forth a path that would lead me to where I am now. In this decade-long journey, I recognized I enjoy uncovering stories of people from different backgrounds. This time around, I wanted to add my spin and become the storyteller; and share the stories of talented, creative entrepreneurs.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Hey there! My name is Vanessa Gonzalez, and I’m a visual artist and content creator who is passionate about diverse storytelling. My brand is QNDM (queendom), a digital community dedicated to elevating the stories of WOC makers, creators, and visionaries to connect, inspire, and create a bridge between the multi-generational and multi-cultural narratives of creative entrepreneurs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a native Angeleno, many of my favorite spots are local hidden gems around the city. However, I will say two of my favorite places is The Perch & Yamashiro Hollywood. Both locations provide either a quiet or lively atmosphere depending on your mood, and I can’t picture anything better than having a beautiful view of my city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A shoutout to my family for their love and support! My mother is my inspiration, my son, my motivation, and my husband, my support system. And of course, to all the women that hustle every day to reach their goals!

Website: www.qndm.la
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_qndm/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessagonzo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_vanessagonzo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queedm/

Image Credits
Personal Photo Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thirtythreefifteen/ IG: @thirtythreefifteen Image credit: Vanessa Gonzalez Photography IG: @_vanessagonzo

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.