Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria-Ines Fuenmayor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maria-Ines, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Personally, everything I’ve undertaken stems from a profound sense of justice, both personally and towards others. Access, equality, diversity, and representation have been at the heart of everything I pursue. Although I might not have always articulated it this way, looking back, it’s clear that this path has guided me to where I am today.
My approach has consistently been to create access where none existed. Take, for example, the day my dad took us to watch a Rugby game—I loved it! (I’ve never been too much of a girly girl), I faced a problem: there was no female team. What was my solution? My sister and I began training with the guys and eventually founded the first female Rugby team in my native city of Merida, Venezuela.
Now, as a seasoned online Personal Branding Photographer and Strategist, I have created a method to challenge the industry’s status quo by creating greater accessibility and affordability in branding and brand photography through the innovative and revolutionary use of AI.
Being a member of a historically underrepresented group often leaves one with no choice but to take action. However, it’s that ingrained sense of justice that has empowered me to now OWN the fact that I am likely one of the first—if not THE first—Latin women to offer this innovative and disruptive service in the online industry. I take pride in opening access for others who, without this initiative, might not have the means to ensure that THEIR voices and THEIR impact stand on equal ground with more mainstream groups.
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 hail from Mérida, Venezuela—a beautiful mountain city nestled in the Venezuelan Andes. Beauty has always surrounded me, and looking back, the need to capture it propelled me (after many iterations) down the path to learning how to seize it with a camera. However, growing up, photography was not viewed as a commercially viable career path.
Yet, the seed had been planted, and today, I can say with certainty that after many twists and turns, I have found a way to weave together all my passions and gifts into my livelihood. I help women entrepreneurs discover their own unique gifts—what I call their Magnetic Core™ and turn it into their signature BRAND. After all, it’s only by identifying our innate gifts that we achieve sustainability, constant passion, and a creative outlet every day of our lives. In other words, you won’t ‘work’ a day in your life.
Being an innovator and creative thinker, an early adopter, the recent emergence of AI caught my attention as an innovative tool. It has enabled me to democratize access to creating meaningful and impactful brands—something that was previously a premium, less accessible option.
What excites me the most about this is the potential for more voices to emerge and share their gifts. I believe this ripple effect can ultimately lead to meaningful change in the world, which resonates deeply with my former humanitarian worker heart and makes it sing.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In hindsight stubbornness has probably been the most helpful quality in my life 😛 but not for the sake of stubbornness but an inability to accept the world as is, and instead seek creative solutions to find a way to achieve my goal. This proved useful when I was working in a predominantly white and male industry such as the international development and humanitarian world, when I saw that the bulk of my career could potentially be spent managing projects instead of being on the ground doing the actual work. I quit my job, bought a one way ticket to Sri-Lanka and found myself a job with the Australian Red Cross to help with the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts.
Another important skill or quality rather, has been to recognized that one is not defined by one sole trade. But instead is how one applies all skills acquired, life lessons and unique (yes, each one of us has VERY unique gifts) is the mark of your legacy.
Now that I am a mom I feel very strongly about this because I don’t want my daughter to grow up feeling defined by her accomplishment but rather by WHO she is, what unique qualities she bring to the table WHILE she’s doing a particular job.
The world is changing at a rapid pace and it will only continue to do so. So learning to think creatively, innovativelly to me is more crucial that any accolades and ivy league diplomas one could collect.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am on a mission to democratize the Personal Brand + Photography industry by utilizing AI as a tool to create greater access, affordability and efficiency. With Envisioned my AI personal brand photography I seek to help bring more representation to historically under-represented groups (in all sense of the word) so if you currently feel that you don’t see yourself represented out there I would love to show you how Envisioned can be the catalyst to bring your gift to the world in a more impactful and meaningful way. https://personalpowerlegacy.com/envsioned-match
Contact Info:
- Website: https://personalpowerlegacy.com/envisioned-brand-experience
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalpowerlegacy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maria.Ines.Fuenmayor
Image Credits
First image (my profile image) Nusrat Momin Studio 5800. The rest are all creatively directed by me and created by me with the help of AI all rights reserved.
