Meet Odette Fernandez Lopez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Odette Fernandez Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Odette, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience stems from my journey when I left Cuba to build a new life in the United States. Starting over in a new country, with all the uncertainties and challenges that came with it, required an unwavering commitment to self-discipline. I realized that, to succeed, I had to focus on continuous self-improvement. It became the foundation of my journey to become a professional brand photographer and photo restoration expert.

Building my photography business, Odette Photo+Art, from the ground up has been a testament to resilience. It has taught me that growth comes from pushing through discomfort and setbacks. I’ve adopted the Kaizen philosophy of striving to get 1% better each day, understanding that small, consistent efforts lead to significant progress over time. This mindset drives my professional life and shapes how I approach personal challenges.

For me, resilience involves adapting, learning, and persevering, no matter the circumstances. It’s about turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and staying committed to my vision for my life and business. Life has shown me that true strength lies in persistence and believing that every challenge is a stepping stone toward a better future.

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’m the owner of Odette Photo+Art, a brand photography business based in Miami, Florida. I specialize in personal brand photography, and I’m passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to build and lead their businesses toward more profitable and sustainable growth.

One of the greatest challenges entrepreneurs and small business owners face is crafting a compelling personal brand that truly resonates with their target audience. That’s where I come in. Through powerful imagery, I help create an irresistible brand identity that attracts ideal clients, drives more business, and boosts profits.

That’s why I’ve created a fun, relaxed, and intentional brand portrait experience. First, I take the time to understand you, your brand, your dreams, and your purpose. Then, I ensure you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. You can simply relax, be yourself, and enjoy your brand portrait session. Together, we’ll create genuine portraits that showcase the real you.

I believe in the power of collaboration—when entrepreneurs support and uplift one another, incredible things happen. Together, we can create a rising tide that lifts all boats, making the entrepreneurship journey successful and truly magical.

Let’s tell your story through portraits and document your legacy.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Coming from Cuba with no prior business experience, I would say the three most impactful skills on my journey have been developing marketing, sales, and self-discipline.

Marketing allowed me to understand how to position my brand and connect with my audience effectively. Sales taught me the importance of building relationships and communicating value. Self-discipline, however, was the foundation—enabling me to stay focused, consistent, and committed to my goals, even when the path was challenging.

I advise those early in their journey to focus on continuous learning and take small, consistent daily steps toward their dreams and goals. “Do one thing each day that brings you closer to where you want to be,” a friend told me. Over time, these small efforts compound, leading to significant progress and success.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

I just finished reading “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy, and it’s packed with wisdom that perfectly aligns with my Kaizen mindset. Here are some of the key messages that stood out to me:

– The Power of Small Choices: Small, consistent actions over time lead to significant results. No matter how minor, every choice compounds over time and can either work for you or against you.
– Consistency is Key: Success isn’t about making dramatic changes. It’s about making small, smart choices consistently over a long period. Consistency builds momentum, which ultimately leads to success.
– Habits Shape Your Life: Daily habits are crucial to success or failure. By cultivating positive habits and eliminating negative ones, you can set yourself on the path to achieving your goals.
– Taking 100% Responsibility: Success comes when you take full responsibility for your actions, outcomes, and circumstances instead of blaming external factors. Owning your life and decisions is essential.
– Momentum: Momentum is the force that propels you forward once you’ve made consistent, positive choices. It can be tough to get started, but once momentum is on your side, it becomes easier to stay on track and achieve your goals.
– The Ripple Effect: Small, positive actions create a ripple effect, influencing other areas of your life and those around you. One good choice can lead to another, creating positive outcomes.
– The Importance of Tracking: To achieve success, you need to track your progress. Whether it’s your finances, health, or personal goals, tracking allows you to measure progress, make adjustments, and stay accountable.
– Patience and Perseverance: The compound effect requires time. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and patience is key. By persevering through the slow initial stages, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor.
– The Influence of Environment: Your environment significantly influences your success or failure. Surrounding yourself with people and environments that support your goals is crucial.
– The Power of Gratitude: Practicing gratitude keeps you positive and focused on the good in your life. It also keeps you motivated as you work toward your goals.
These insights from the book highlight the importance of consistent, disciplined action and the long-term impact of small, intentional choices.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Odette Photo+Art LLC
Collage HairStudio Miami

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made