Meet Rolando Espinoza

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

Hi Rolando, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
What book(s) have I read that has inspired me in business?

That’s easy, but three books come to mind.
The first is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” (1990) a children’s picture book, written and illustrated by children’s author Dr. Seuss. From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations. The inspiring and timeless message encouraged me to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges I faced.

Believe-it-or-not, the second is also a children’s book titled “Who Moved My Cheese” (1998) authored by Spencer Johnson. This very short book uses simple parables to reveal profound truths about dealing with change so that you can enjoy less stress and more success in your work and in your life. It explores a simple way to take the fear and anxiety out of managing the future. This one put a fire under my butt.

The third and last book I recommend for creative entrepreneurs is called “Blue Ocean Strategy” (2005) by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne. The book presents a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and outlines principles and tools any organization can use to create and capture market share. Great concrete examples of brands we know and love.

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.
I started my nationwide studio in 2003, back when Nokia mobile phone didn’t even have a working camera! In one of my first commercial projects, I had the opportunity to design costumes for a multi-cultural parade without a budget, so I simply used cardboard for all aspects of the couture apparels. The client loved it, and the rest is history.

It was not easy to get to where I am professionally today, as “experiential marketing”, “activations” and “pop-ups” were not in use yet, let alone industry buzzwords. Clients did not understand what I as selling and my parents to this day think I am a Las Vegas show producer.

I sell visual art & design experiences that need to make lasting impressions but are in no way permanent. It all changed for me and my company when the iPhone 3GS featured a quality camera that could accurately record innovative and unusual moments, scenes, and designs. Now, my work is understood and clients realize that user-generated content is currency, where if done right, their logo could get posted and re-posted around the world.

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.
Living in fabulous Las Vegas makes you a very popular person, especially at 1am, when far-off acquaintances call for you to join them to add to the time of their lives. LOL.

During a week-long stay in Las Vegas, I recommend you do any of these (in no order) to make lively memories.

1. Rent a stretched limo with a sunroof you can stick your head out, while cruising the nighttime, world-famous Las Vegas strip.

2. Attend a concert at the mind-blowing and uniquely Vegas – The Sphere.

3. Drink a delicious and expertly poured cocktail at my favorite Las Vegas tiki bar – Golden Ticki | Chinatown.

4. Dress to impress and watch a live boxing match in the Mecca of combat sports – Las Vegas.

In my view, the most fun, interesting, exciting people are the ones that are not perfect. Artists, oddballs, and quirky characters are all around you in fabulous Las Vegas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Who is my mentor and friend? It would have to be Las Vegas’ Lenny Talarico.

Lenny Talarico is an events executive with 25+ years of producing high-level events at venues in Las Vegas and in various global destinations. I met Lenny Talarico during his tenure at MGM resorts as Executive Director of Events, where he produced multiple high-profile global events that included grand openings, entertainment launches, and industry meetings with most of them receiving ESPRIT and GALA awards.

He is so down to earth and gives so much, in fact I’ve adopted his motto of “…send the success elevator back down, so others can get on and ascend.”

Website: https://www.champagnecreativegroup.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolando-espinoza-720536167

Image Credits
Chamapgne Creative Group