Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Gonzalez.
Savannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Spring Valley, Illinois in 1997 and raised in the midwest (Illinois and Indiana) as well as also doing part of my growing up in the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, visiting often to keep my culture close to me. These have most definitely shaped me and my journey. During my high school years was when I really began honing in on my entrepreneurship and beginning to run my own affairs and marketing across social media as an artist, entrepreneur, and influencer. I remember being in high school, and I would come home and negotiate contracts and partnerships with top fashion and beauty brands in the B2C space at 16 years old when the age of social media and “Brand Partnerships” became more widely accessible. I was very focused as a teenager to build my brand and career. I didn’t realize, but back then that experience would greatly help me in my career in the future! I attended the City Colleges of Chicago, Harold Washington College to be exact, pursuing my Fine Arts degree and specializing in Vocal Performance as a professional singer. I moved into the city (Chicago) Once I signed my first modeling contract.
This period of time, I worked in tandem, self-composing/creating my first debut EP “Peace” from my crammed one-bed apartment, as well as auditioning for TV and appearing on an NBC Universal talk show and my first Feature Film. Castings for modeling constantly while working in both the B2B & B2C marketing space in my day job as a Social Media Marketing Specialist and attending meetings daily, as well as launching and running 5 businesses outside of this before the age of 25. “Savannah Gonzalez, LLC” my personal self-brand, “WEQUALITY”, an apparel brand which raises awareness for the fight for equality and social justice, “Social Savvy”, a social media marketing and management company, “Singing With Savannah”, my private vocal instruction studio, and “SHOP By Sav”, a fashion boutique re-sale business! I think that every great entrepreneur needs to attempt and fail again and again to build a successful brand, so I have been so grateful for my journey of continuous growth and learning. This brings me to where I am today!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been winding! However, I am a resilient person, so this has never deterred me. If something doesn’t work, I problem-solve and pivot with new ideas and I am always open and willing to learn and grow on a personal and professional level. A few struggles along the way have been others’ opinions or perceptions of what I am capable of or what I aspire to achieve. The phrases “Pipe dream”, “You suck” or “You can’t do this.” and people treating me as if I am “incapable” have for sure presented themselves to me. (Along with the casual or not so casual prejudice or inappropriate remarks and microaggressions along the way from being a woman of color in the workspace.) However, I believe that a great leader will always lead in a natural way, no matter who misunderstands or misinterprets them. The amount of judgments, stares, or rejections could affect some more than others, and I think this is why so many end up giving in to giving up. I do not find my value and capability in whether or not someone else does or finds me valuable or capable. This is just not where my value is in my perspective, and I remain positive and optimistic whenever facing adversity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the CEO of “Savannah Gonzalez LLC”. I am a Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. I specialize in Entertainment, Business and Marketing. I am known for my Debut EP “PEACE” which features my most popular single, “Do Not Disturb (Peace Mantra)” I have also advocated and raised awareness for my home island of Puerto Rico, and I have been featured in television, media, news, music, and entertainment. Work outside of this has included the fashion, beauty and marketing industries. I am most proud of my philanthropy work for Black and Brown communities, utilizing my voice and raising awareness for equality. This is truly where I feel most passionate and most proud, is when I can utilize my platform to contribute to a much greater good than myself. I am joyful to give back! What sets me apart from others is my passionate nature and willingness to be myself through anything that faces me, no matter the challenge. I will always continue to push forward, use my voice and be a good steward of what I have been blessed with in my life, and I never take this responsibility for granted! I am grateful.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how hard-working & creative Atlanta is! The amount of talent and hard work that comes out of Atlanta is incredibly inspiring. There is nothing that comes to mind on dislikes!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.savannahnow.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/savannah.gonzalez
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/savgonzalezz
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/SavGonzalezz
Image Credits
Photographer: Patrick Simmons (@patrickdsimmonsphoto)
