Meet Alisha Garza | Graphic Designer & Writer

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

Hi Alisha, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for creative arts. When I was a little girl, my mother always made sure I had something creative to do using my hands, whether building dollhouses out of old shoe boxes or playing with those nostalgic art sets filled with everything from clay, color pencils to paints. It became an escape for me since I was a child and still is to this very day. As I matured, my passion only got stronger, which empowered me to tap into different mediums such as digital art and creative writing. I was determined to find a career that helped me embrace creativity. At the age of 17, I scored my first job as a jewelry designer at an adorable bead shop in Santa Monica, California. Since then, I’ve had a couple of not-so-creative jobs, but without those opportunities, I wouldn’t be here today running my own creative business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My parents have owned and operated an 18-wheeler repair company for over two decades. Growing up, I got to witness their hustle and determination as business owners. Sometimes, I would help play the role of dispatch and learn more about what it’s like to run a business. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of living life to the fullest. When my father passed away suddenly in July 2019, it nearly broke me. But I had to stay strong for my mom and younger brothers. Every day, I would remind myself of all the things my father taught me. I realized the hard way how short life can be and decided I was done putting my dreams of running my own business on hold. In September that year, I went back to school to earn a Master’s in business and graduated as Valedictorian a year later. Since then, I have launched my pride and joy, Mushoo Studios – a creative studio dedicated to empowering small businesses with timeless branding, graphic design, and engaging copywriting.

The journey has been far from easy, but if it was, where’s the fun in that? Running a business is one thing, but preparing one is another. There are so many critical factors that go into putting a business together. One of the biggest lessons I learned when preparing Mushoo for launch is not wasting time being a perfectionist. As a type A, it’s tough for me not to fall for the perfectionist inside, but after trial and error, lots of sleepless nights, and highly caffeinated mornings, I realized I wasn’t having fun at the end of the day. My creativity level was at an all-time low. That’s when I looked toward enjoying the journey more than the destination. Once I started to live more in the moment and take it a day at a time, things began to go more smoothly, and doors began to open.

Life happens, but it’s good to remember that when things go wrong, it’s okay. Whether it’s business or personal, there will be mistakes made, and situations that are entirely out of your control might be overwhelming. But, one thing you can control is the way you respond. There’s not enough time in the day to dwell over the little things, but instead, embrace those mistakes and learn from them. As a business owner, I think it’s important to have an ever-learning mindset.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My close friends and I are pretty big introverts. Some of our favorite things to do are to stay home, order junk food, play games, and watch movies. When we’re feeling spontaneous, we enjoy soaking up some sun at the beach and grabbing lunch at our favorite Sushi Bar in Beverly Hills. We also enjoy going on local hikes around the city and visiting new restaurants to try new foods. To end the night, you’ll find us grabbing some tasty street tacos, playing Monopoly, and putting on a good movie.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate a shoutout to my parents, Audrey & Aaron. Without their strength and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Every day, they remind me that I have the power to become whoever I want to be.

Website: www.mushoostudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mushoostudios/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishangarza/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alishangarza

Image Credits
Samantha Tan