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

Hi Jess, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been a creative person. At a young age, I struggled in school specifically in the areas of math and science. I found myself excelling in anything that let me be creative. I loved to draw, write, and journal. I always had an idea-driven thought process that led me to try new things. Creativity has allowed me to step into versions of myself I didn’t know existed. Staying consistent with it has opened doors for me to work and collaborate with brands, creators, and given me paid opportunities. A cool thing about being creative is the fact that you can pivot your ideas at any time. You can do and be anything you want to be. It’s all based on you, what you’re passionate about, and your God-given talents/gifts.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a child, I was extremely shy. It took a lot for me to build connections with others and not be so in my head. I had a hard time speaking up or sharing what was on my mind. I can remember this going on till about 5th grade. After that, something changed in me and little by little, I’ve grown into the woman I am today, who is loud and proud of who she is in every way. I use that in my art. I don’t shy away from who I am. I highlight the ups, downs, and everything in between. Later in life, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I chose to share my mental health story on social media a few years after my diagnosis. Something I once viewed as scary to talk about became a light for others to speak up and share their own stories as well. As I mentioned before, the cool thing about being creative is the ability to pivot at any time. Because of that, I didn’t allow myself to fit in one box. I am multi-passionate and can share all the things that make me, me with others who relate and connect on that same level too. A big part of my brand is representation. My goal as a Latina creator is to empower and uplift our voices as a community. By sharing my content, I want to see more Latina creators also share their passions, dreams, and skill sets in the online space.

I know part of what I’m meant to do in this lifetime is to be a voice that empowers others to use their own. To be loud and proud of who you are, and where you come from, and to know you have what it takes to do anything and everything you desire. To show others because I can, you can too. It’s not always easy to be vulnerable and share your passions with the world while also receiving a positive outcome. I think it’s cool I get to have both of those things.

It took time, consistency, and some self-discovery to get to where I am today. It was not a quick or easy path but one of accepting challenges, failure, and “obstacles as detours in the right direction.” Having great friends, self-care, and rest are things I truly appreciate. I also adopted the phrase “Do less, attract more.” I had to change my desire to do so much all the time to understand less is more. ⁣It was challenging coming from a Latino household with a father who worked hard. I respected the struggle and sacrifices, but I also knew I wanted to create success differently by breaking that generational cycle.

The little Jess I was would be so proud of the Jess I am now. She’s ever-evolving, sure of herself, and a voice for others. My content has allowed me to express myself and relate to others on many levels. Whether they enjoy my humor related to my memories within my culture (Growing up Latina), breaking generational trauma(s) opening up about mental health with personal stories on my anxiety journey, or through my hobbies sharing my favorite fashion, beauty, wellness, & lifestyle finds, my goal through social media has always been to help others feel seen, connected, and entertained. Even if it’s one person, I love knowing my content made their day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a hard one! I’m not from California so when I moved to my area, I got lucky with all the amazing spots by me. There are so many great places out here, but what I know well are a lot of places locally by the coast. Depending on your vibe you can choose what kind of beach area you want to be in. Redondo Beach is a great spot for families and locals with cute shops and restaurants. Hermosa Beach has a bit of a social nightlife scene. There are bars and restaurants on the pier which can be fun to grab dinner and drinks and stay after to hang out. Manhattan Beach has stunning views, an amazing pier, and great restaurants/bars. You can have a cute night out here as well. For coffee shop recommendations, I know so many great spots near me. The Boy and The Bear has a cool hangout and work vibe + an awesome variety of coffee beverages. Mesh Space is a cool spot to grab a quick coffee and hang out or go to the back to use the cute co-working space, and Hi-Fi Espresso has a cool cafe atmosphere with great coffee and walking distance to Redondo Beach. I love the iced chai here! Outside of my local area depending on your mood I highly recommend checking out Malibu, Palos Verdes, Laguna Beach, and San Diego. On my list next is to visit Northern California.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few people I can give credit to when it comes to the success, I’ve been able to achieve. My family is one of the most important values in my life. I’m thankful for their guidance and love. My sisters are my best friends and biggest supporters. I know they’re always there for me and only wish the best for me. I don’t know where I’d be without them in my life. My boyfriend has always supported every move I’ve made. He’s pushed me to be authentically myself and to go after all my dreams without fear. Any creative idea I’ve brought to him he’s always cheering me on to do it. In addition to that my close friends & IG amigas, have rooted for me every step of the way. The scary part of social media can be the judgment or hate that can come along with it, but I have to say I was blessed with some of the kindest “girls-girls.” I’ve been so lucky to have built such a beautiful community of women by my side and rooting for one another.

Instagram: @jessaviles_

Other: Tiktok: @jessaviles_

Image Credits
Photographer: Nicole Godinez Medina (For the Lovers Tee’s) Brand: Hija De Tu Madre, owner Patty Delgado

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.