We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rebecca Carmen. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Rebecca, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I ruptured my achilles in February 2024 and as an athlete, it has been the single most difficult injury to recover from physically and mentally. I went from running multiple marathons to last year learning how to walk again, barely trying to run intervals, to now being 75% back and progressively building back to my level again. This injury has taught me patience as well as compassion for myself. It’s hard to not be tough on myself, but the process is the progress. This mental fortitude has not only helped with my recovery, but it has helped in my business by standing up for myself, my work, and having confidence in it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rebecca Carmen and a native Atlantan (with an actual ATL address). I specialize in Photography and Marketing visuals that tells a brands story. I’m also a brand consultant in food and beverage. I ensure a brand’s visuals on social and marketing platforms match what a customer experiences in the space. For example, I did this for Disney Theme Park merchandise years ago, designing wholistic immersive retail experiences for Avatar World, Star War: Galaxy’s Edge, and more. I especially love working with and showcasing Atlanta’s small businesses as they are the heartbeat of this city.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think trust is the main thing that can break bonds as well as restore them. I see this not only in people, but in brands. When a restaurant delivers a poor customer experience or it doesn’t match what they’ve showcased, that trust is broken. To restore the broken bond isn’t to set that customer apart and treat them differently than everyone else, but it’s delivering a consistent experience to all guests. Perfection isn’t an attainable goal, but consistency is, and in turn that builds a strong bond.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I wouldn’t say it was something that changed my mind, but I think it re-emphasized that its become a very normal thing for people to believe that we’re supposed to work until we’re dead or the grind doesn’t stop. While I think building a brand is around the clock, there isn’t enough emphasis on taking a step back, slowing down to reframe and build a healthy balance. I can think about times in jobs past where I was working so much, I became sick from stress because it’s not sustainable. Instead, focus on setting aside time for yourself to rest and refuel, which in turn you’ll be more successful in life. You have to invest in yourself before you can others.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say I value character, honesty, integrity, and my family. There is so much noise in the world that at the end of the day, the people who you allow to be close to you should be who they are no matter if its behind a screen or not. This is especially true working in social media and industries that are all about facades- it’s important to stay true to who you are as well as what’s really matters to you.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I’d hope people will tell stories about my resilience, both personally and in business. While working at Disney, I was the youngest in the room and referred to as “the resident millennial”. I had to show my confidence in my work at a young age and learn how to stand up for myself.
Personally, I’ve been resilient coming back from injuries I never thought could happen to me. I have turned these challenges into a blessing as it’s built mental toughness and drive that has reinvigorated new challenges for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rebeccacarmen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccacarmen/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccacarmen/
