Meet Daniela Rega | Creative Multidisciplinary Designer

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

Hi Daniela, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Its funny because I grew up in an environment of entrepreneurs. My grandma owned a “lonchería” when my dad was a kid, she later set a quesadillas stand in the front of her house that did pretty good if I may say so. I loved being the waitress and would earn little to no money, but feeling part of it was great. My dad was his own boss since I can remember and my Mom was always looking for ways to make extra money. In school we were really pushed towards building our own company and being owners of our time, so that really stick with me as I was growing up. I moved to Los Angeles without a work visa, so while waiting for the paperwork to come I couldn’t apply for a regular 9 to 5 on my field. What I thought would be a few months became years. I was forced to pivot, both for my mental health and bills pilling up, I had nothing but my creativity and a LOT of extra time. Creatives are the best problem solvers right? So I did what I knew best, find a solution to my current problem. I never saw my self as an illustrator, but I had ideas, great ideas that I could turn into material stuff and make a profit out of it. I thought to my self, what products would I like to buy for me? What would I like to have on my walls? What message do I want to send out there? And so I started Bubblegum Crew, in part to help me stay grounded and not loose my mind while waiting for my work visa, but also to solve the problems I was facing, both economical and emotional.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was talking to a friend about what differentiates my work ethic to each self. I don’t do things the way I used to, and I think that’s a good thing. Its natural to evolve, I actually think you have to evolve. I’ve taken a lot of care of myself, my head, my heart and with that new ideas have flown, new perspectives, and new ways to see things in general. And honestly if I didn’t take the time to do so, I woulnt be here where I am. Because when I look back a few years ago, I felt like I was on top of the world haha and now I see it, I was but I wasn’t. So educating yourself constantly, traveling, learning new things, trying new things opens inspiration doors that you probably haven’t even pictured. I am proud of both the human and the creative I am becoming, I am who I admired when I was a kid and I know that makes “her” (5 year old me-) proud. So naturally that makes me proud. But now I admire that list of people and more… because obviously inspiration comes in ways so the more I learn, the more I admire other creatives. Somehow I see who I want to become next, and she’s pretty f*cking cool if you ask me.

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?
oh that’s a good question, let’s see. I think it would depend on the type of friend they were but if it was a fellow creative we would start the day at my favorite coffee in Glendale named Little Ground, get ourselves an iced oat milk late and the quesadilla. (I sound super LA right now). If this wasn’t a Disney trip then I would plan for us to go to Target, because all my friends from out of the US have that on their list. And who am I to complain? But then we would have to do something fun and creative. I love going to the Broad because one its free and two they have a really extensive collection. There is a gallery on La brea called Control Gallery. Every show they have had has been so nurturing and inspirational. I really recommend it

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The list is loooong but lets start with family. As I said on the previous answer my Grandma Carmen was huge inspiration as a fearless woman ahead of her time that went above and beyond to get her kids a better life than she had. My parents obviously, because the education I got couldn’t be possible without their efforts, my sister really feed that childhood creativity that I think is crucial for every artists or creative out there. Teachers and mentors along the way that shared their knowledge, friends that support your business and ideas. My husband, number one cheerleader that grounds me when necessary and forces me to see things from a different angle, and the most creative problem solver mind I’ve met besides my grandpa Felipe. I have cousins who I admire deeply, aunts, my grandma Maria Luisa. Geraldine Laybourne for making the best years in television, without Nick from the 90s many of us wouldn’t have the minds we have today. And many muses that have come in different mediums like Clarissa Darling, Shirley Manson, Vanessa Coffey, Angela Santomero, Millicent Patrick, Jane Goodall, The Spice Girls, Beyonce, Alicia Keys…. the list goes on and on.

Website: danielarega.com

Instagram: @danielaregaa

Linkedin: Daniela Rega