Meet Liz Espina

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Liz Espina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Liz , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my family, my roots, and my homeland, Venezuela. Growing up in Venezuela, I learned to face challenges head-on, and that sense of determination has only deepened since becoming an immigrant. Moving to a new country forces you to adapt, persevere, and find strength in the face of uncertainty. Being an immigrant has made me resilient—it’s taught me to push through adversity, remain hopeful, and always find a way forward. My family and my cultural background are the foundation of that resilience, constantly reminding me of where I come from and the strength within me to keep moving toward my dreams.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Liz Espina, and I’m the Chef and founder of Happy Kitchn Studio. My journey into the world of culinary arts, particularly Italian cuisine, was driven by a deep passion for cooking and a lifelong appreciation for how food can bring people together. From a young age, I was captivated by the way food has the power to connect cultures, families, and communities. It was this love for food’s unifying power that inspired me to create Happy Kitchn Studio.

The idea for Happy Kitchn Studio was born from my desire to share meaningful experiences centered around food. Italian cuisine, especially pasta-making, has always enchanted me because of how something as simple as a dish of pasta can create moments of joy and connection. At the same time, I noticed a growing need for authentic, human connections in an increasingly fast-paced world. I, too, felt this desire, and cooking classes—particularly ones focused on pasta—seemed like the perfect way to foster those connections.

Happy Kitchn Studio was never just about teaching people how to cook. It was about offering a space where people could step away from their daily routines, roll up their sleeves, and find joy in creating something with their own hands. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about making pasta from scratch, and I wanted others to experience that same sense of calm, accomplishment, and joy that I feel when I cook. It’s this passion for connection, creativity, and comfort that fuels everything we do at Happy Kitchn Studio.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities that have been most impactful are resilience, creativity, and adaptability.

Resilience: Life, and business in particular, will always present challenges. My ability to keep moving forward, even when things seemed impossible, has been a cornerstone of my success. For those early in their journey, I recommend embracing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Resilience comes from pushing through tough times, so don’t be afraid to fail—it’s part of the process.

Creativity: Whether it was launching The Blue Plate during the pandemic or creating Happy Kitchn Studio, creativity has been essential. I found that thinking outside the box, especially when traditional paths didn’t seem to work, led me to some of my most rewarding projects. For those just starting out, I’d say—don’t be afraid to explore new ideas, and always leave room for your creativity to shine. It’s what will set you apart.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances has also been crucial. From moving to a new country to adjusting my business strategies during uncertain times, staying flexible has been key. My advice? Learn to pivot when necessary and embrace change. The world is constantly shifting, and those who can adapt are the ones who thrive.

For anyone early in their journey, my best advice is to stay open—open to learning, to new experiences, and to personal growth. It’s a continuous process, and the more you invest in developing these qualities, the more prepared you’ll be to handle anything that comes your way.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest obstacle I’m facing right now is my own beliefs. I truly believe the sky is the limit, but if I don’t fully believe in myself, nothing will happen. Staying connected to my purpose and being in sync with it gives me the strength to keep moving forward. Self-doubt can be a powerful barrier, so nurturing that belief in myself is essential.

Mental health is also incredibly important, not just for me, but for anyone pursuing a dream. Surrounding myself with positive, supportive people, maintaining strong values, and staying true to them is key to my success. It’s a constant process of growth and self-care, but I believe that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

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Image Credits

Pictures by: Camila Funes

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