Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Franceschi.
Dominique, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s been a long but good journey. I was born in Colombia, youngest of five siblings. I’m thankful for them every single day. Their support is the reason I am here. I literally call them my superheroes because they inspire me to be the best version of myself every single day.
My parents are the definition of hard work and love. “Whatever you do in life, do it with love. Things will work out”. And so I did, and continue to do so. They didn’t support me in having a creative career at first. It took me a while to realize that they were just worried about my future, not necessarily opposed to me doing the things I loved.
Growing up in that environment was key to getting me to make the decision to move away from home to further my education. So much paperwork, so many applications. Above all else, the hours and hours and hours of research I put in to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake. In the end, I learned that if your soul is telling you to do something, then you listen and go for it.
What got me to where I am today, and honestly what gets me through the bad days, is reminding myself of why I chose to do this. To me, it was a very specific feeling I got after a Beauty and the Beast performance. To this day, I have no better word to describe it other than feeling “fully alive”. And that’s when I knew. That’s why I am still here.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When you are trying something out, it’s never a fully smooth road, I think. But that’s the beauty of it. All those bumps in the road are learning experiences that help you grow and gain skills and be better at what you want to do.
Growing up in a household where everyone had “traditional” career paths, it was hard deciding to do something less conventional, as well as something that has a lower percentage of getting you financial stability.
The deciding factor for me ended up being this “Do I want to spend the rest of my life surviving or do I want to spend it actually living?”. Sure, I could have a steady job I wasn’t passionate about with a steady income, but what would be the point? I would be miserable, always wishing I could do the things I really wanted to do. The thing is, when you are doing things that you are passionate about, you will automatically give them your all and your best.
The whole idea behind “Do what you love and you won’t have to work a day in your life” is not that you won’t put in the work, but rather, because you are doing something that feeds your soul, you will actually enjoy putting the work in. It will still be work, but you’ll be living while you do it, not just surviving.
As a woman, I can tell you two things, it’s getting better, but we still have a long road to travel until gender equality is a reality. The big change I have noticed, which truly warms my soul, is women helping women. Ask each other for advice, work on projects together. The only way we can change things is by working together, literally and figuratively. Hear each other out and learn from each other. We are powerful when we learn to treasure how wonderful we can be.
Tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a creative human. Dancing was what brought me into the Performing Arts, but through it I discovered Singing and Acting. And then later through Acting, I discovered Editing and Marketing. I love telling stories. I love bringing attention to things that need a voice. I love helping humans realize that we need to work together to make things better.
I think my proudest moment was graduation when I clicked that I didn’t get there by myself, but rather thanks to the help of wonderful individuals I have encountered throughout my life. From my family back home to all the friends and loved ones I met along the way, it was a collaboration. I still carry that sensation with me. I have been helped and thus, I help back, and so the growth cycle beings.
What sets you apart from others?
I feel like our backstories make us all unique. I was born in Bogota, Colombia (yes, in South America). In my head, being born Latina automatically made me be a person aware of worldly issues. It wasn’t until I moved away from home and experienced life in a completely different country that I realized there is so much more to life. I realized I was taking a lot for granted. The support I got from my family, the love I got from my friends. Having a home. Food on the table. Being able to hug my mother and knowing she would hug me back.
Now I treasure each and every single small thing that comes my way. But especially every second I get to spend with my loved ones. And that same mindset I try to keep in every aspect of my life. I’d like to think that living life with a positive mindset sets me apart. You either win and learn or you learn, so you always win.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women helping women is the new trend. I think it is a great time to be a woman because things are changing, And the more we help and empower each other, the more the will continue to improve. That’s what I believe.
The most important thing is to always be yourself. Never be who you think people want you to be because that can get exhausting, and it’s probably gonna surround you with the wrong type of people. Talk about your true passions because they are what you will bring to the table 110%.
On the other side of the coin, learn to listen. Maybe a person’s interests don’t align with yours, but if the way they approach life and their goals resonate with you, that also has great value.
And please please please, don’t be a shark. Never enter a room or a networking event with the “What can you do for me mentality”. A) people can smell that a mile away and B) you’re going to end up with people that tear you down instead of building you up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DominiqueFranceschi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r2domi2/
Image Credit:
Nathalia Coppa
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