Meet Daniela Soto

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

Hi Daniela, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For years, I dealt with a chronic illness that significantly impacted my life. This diagnosis led me to the world of health and wellness, where I discovered the profound healing power of food and lifestyle choices. As I adopted a new lifestyle to heal naturally and saw positive health changes, I knew I had to share what I had learned with others.

Additionally, I grew up watching my dad run his own successful stickers and decals business, SotoSigns. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his craft were incredibly inspiring to me. He moved to the U.S. to pursue this dream, and witnessing his hard work and the joy it brought him motivated me to follow in his footsteps, but with my unique twist.

Combining my passion for health and wellness with my admiration for my dad’s business, I created Stuck on Wellness. This venture allowed me to merge these two important aspects of my life. I design and print niche, witty stickers that reference wellness practices, such as getting morning sunlight exposure, or cold plunging. My mission is to spread awareness about health and wellness in a fun and engaging way and help others share their interests, too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Before being diagnosed with a chronic disease in my senior year of college, I was on a clear path to becoming an immigration lawyer. I took the LSAT, applied, and was accepted to several law schools. However, as my health deteriorated, I made the difficult decision to push that dream aside temporarily and worked as a full-time receptionist at a law firm while focusing on my health and wellbeing.

As my condition worsened, I made the tough choice to leave the law firm and completely focus on my health. I took a part-time role at a growing mental health startup, which allowed me the flexibility to seek out natural remedies from home and delve deeply into the world of health and wellness. Everything from the food on my plate, to my relationships, to practices like breathwork, yoga, and movement. I was inspired by the stories of individuals who had significantly improved their lives through healthy living despite living with chronic illnesses. I began working with a naturopathic doctor and found that small lifestyle changes greatly improved my symptoms.

Fueled by this newfound passion, I became a certified Holistic Health Coach from the world’s leading institution for Integrative Nutrition to deepen my knowledge and help others. Concurrently, my role at the startup transitioned into a full-time position, where I continue to be inspired by the passion and dedication of my founder and CEO. Her drive and willingness to teach me continue to contribute to my motivation in my role at the company and my passion for my venture, Stuck On Wellness.

This journey was far from easy. It required significant adjustments, learning, and perseverance. I learned that resilience and adaptability are key and that sometimes the path to our true calling is not straightforward. These experiences instilled my belief that everyone deserves to feel good, physically and mentally, and that with determination and motivation, I can make meaningful contributions to the lives of others.

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?
I’m going to curate what would be my dream itinerary for the health and wellness enthusiast, which in my perfect world would involve no drinking and being in bed by 9:30 pm.

Monday – Morning workout at Barry’s Bootcamp in Venice. Breakfast at the Butcher’s Daughter in Venice. Explore the shops on Abbot Kinney and the Venice area. Go to Pause Studio for sauna and cold plunging. End the day with dinner from the Erewhon hot bar.
Tuesday – Morning workout at Sweat Yoga in Santa Monica. Coffee and breakfast from La La Land. Walk around Main Street and the SM area. Yogurt at Go Greek at some point. End the day by watching a movie at the Santa Monica AMC.
Wednesday – Morning workout at SoulCycle Manhattan Beach. Breakfast smoothies at Kreation Organic Juicery. Beach day and salads from Goop Kitchen. End the day at The Now South Bay for massages.
Thursday – Go for a hike at Runyon (because that’s classic). Get matcha from Community Goods in West Hollywood and gluten-free bagels from Yeastie Boys Bagels. Explore Melrose and WeHo. Dinner at Gracias Madre.
Friday – Workout at the John Reed gym in Downtown LA. Breakfast at Cafe Gratitude. Explore the Arts District and downtown and go into a few museums. Head back home, cook a homemade dinner, and have a game night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my late grandpa, Jose Soto Miranda. He was the first in our family to immigrate to the U.S. from Mexico in his 60s and become a U.S. citizen. His journey and legacy have been a cornerstone of our family’s story and an inspiration for me. He started SotoSigns as a mural painter, painting images and logos for businesses, and laid the foundation for what the business would become. My grandpa’s choice to move away from his family and home to a new country was undoubtedly a difficult and brave one. His courage, determination, and hard work are qualities I deeply admire and strive to emulate in my own life. The values and morals he embodied greatly influenced how I was raised and how I approach both family and work today.
My grandpa’s dedication and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for our family’s success and inspired me to pursue my own business, Stuck on Wellness. His legacy is a constant reminder of the importance of perseverance and the impact one person’s bravery can have on future generations.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-soto-73946319a/

Image Credits
Personal Photo, taken by Lila Seeley Meditation Studio Photo, taken by James Mrsa