We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valentina Lara. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valentina below.
Valentina, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I am constantly inspired by what’s around me. Whether that is hallway conversations with community members at Ampersand Studios or run club chats with friends. Many of my creative ideas come from my innate curiosity and interest in learning more about the people that surround me.
If I’m having a hard time connecting with my inner creative, I turn to tangible creation, specifically cooking or baking. When I’m in the kitchen, I’m able to tap into a relaxing and sensory form of creativity that results in an end product that I can share with others or enjoy to myself! The foodie in me loves connecting over food which often leads to table talk conversations that leave me feeling grateful and at times inspired.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a strategic storyteller, digital marketer, and problem solver with 8+ years in the industry, currently leading Marketing at Ampersand Studios.
Ampersand Studios is the next generation of flexible workspace environments, existing to inspire & support creative people. We provide stunningly designed private offices and flexible workspaces, with full in-house Production & Event capabilities. Our overall strategy is focused on developing a hospitality-driven and member-centric workspace where you can House Your Creativity.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Curiosity, Community & Authenticity. My advice is to never lose sight of who you are, as I believe that your values and passions will help drive your personal and professional journey forward.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the last twelve months, I transitioned from working in tech to working in the workplace hospitality industry. In this transition, I had the opportunity to be the first in-house marketing hire and joined the team at Ampersand Studios at a pivotal time while it was preparing for the launch of its second location in Nashville, Tennessee on historic Music Row.
During this time, I worked closely with Ampersand Studios’ founder, Matthew Giles, to develop the go-to-market strategy and brand collateral for the launch in the new market. While I’ve historically led global integrated marketing campaigns with cross functional teams and partners, joining the team at Ampersand Studios allowed me to have full creative autonomy through the vision of our founder. The experience at Ampersand over the last year has allowed me to foster meaningful connections and develop marketing strategies, content, and programming that have added value to our members. I’ve also been lucky lead efforts for Ampersand’s &Grow – our creative growth incubator program – which has given me the first-hand experience of being at the center of a brand that champions its membership base and invests in its local community to drive growth of the creative economy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amperstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amperstudios_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amperstudiosmia/
