Meet Dioni Saenz

We were lucky to catch up with Dioni Saenz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dioni, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Confidence and self-esteem are essential for creatives like me, but I often feel like it’s the curse of the former gifted and talented child to wrestle with imposter syndrome while trying to redefine how we see ourselves. I find myself questioning whether my art is worth sharing. Am I good enough?

While I’m not the biggest fan of Andy Warhol, I resonate deeply with his quote: “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” This philosophy applies to every aspect of life.

Looking back, I remember being bullied for what felt like everything. One pivotal moment was when my sister picked Clueless (1995) for our family movie night. Cher Horowitz’s confidence and unbothered attitude mesmerized me. That was my shift. In moments of anxiety, I began to channel the characters I admired from my favorite films. It was challenging, but eventually, I started to recognize my own unique contributions. More importantly, I learned to let go of the need for approval. People will always have opinions, regardless.

I’ll never forget the first time someone said, “I wish I had your confidence.” I was genuinely taken aback. Didn’t they realize I was just faking it? I felt like Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), conning my way through Europe. But then it hit me: this act wasn’t a ruse for anyone but myself. I was building courage all along, even if I was borrowing traits from my favorite characters. That courage eventually transformed into real confidence—because you can’t have one without the other.

I’ve been doing makeup since junior high for my theatre department, and it’s always been a passion. When social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok emerged, I hesitated to share my work, often posting and deleting within minutes. I faced a choice: share my art to please an algorithm or post what I genuinely loved creating. Curating a shoot brings me so much joy, from the makeup to the location scouting to the final edits.

In 2020, when the world paused due to COVID, I turned to Instagram to unleash my creativity. I recreated looks from the canceled Met Gala, designing my own based on the virtual theme High Fashion Twitter devised. It became a race to see how I could innovate with items I had at home. To my surprise, my posts gained traction. One moment, I was meticulously crafting a headpiece from old Vogue pages, and the next, I was featured in Dazed, Newsweek, Page Six, and Cosmopolitan. My head was spinning! There I was, in a full Kirsten Dunst, Marie Antoinette getup on French Marie Claire’s social media.

This experience propelled me to let go of my fears and just create. 2020 led me to meet my best friends, fellow creatives who have helped me bring visions to life. I wouldn’t have connected with them if I’d continued to cater to an algorithm. (online or in real life) The only person who will ever truly believe in or advocate for you is—you.

Sometimes, you just have to get into character first.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I just relocated from Las Vegas, Nevada back to Texas this year. I am currently working as a Regional Sales and Education Executive with a Sephora Exclusive Cosmetic Brand. It’s been quite the journey from the days of working on the Las Vegas Strip. I still very much consider Nevada home.

Working a corporate level job can make it easy to place creative endeavors on the back burner, however for me it’s important to make time to express myself. I’ve worked through a lot of anxieties and dark times 2023 threw at me by diving head first into creating again.

October is the time of year where I really shine. Right now I am working on about 10 different shoots and looks for the Halloween season. You can follow along on Instagram at @imyourrushmore.

I am always open to collaborating virtually or in-person. When I am not creating or working, you can find me logging films on Letterboxd.

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

1. Advocate for Yourself
You are in control of your own life. If you don’t have the bandwidth for a conversation, a new task at work, or meeting a friend for dinner, it’s essential to speak up. Remember, if you don’t express your needs, they won’t be met.

2. Speak in facts
Learning to streamline conversation by focusing on the facts rather than relying heavily on emotional language has really transformed how I communicate. It helps me convey my message more clearly and keeps discussions grounded in reality.

3. Your LinkedIn Profile Won’t Be on Your Gravestone
While the quality of our work is important and a reflection of who we are, it’s equally crucial to prioritize the people and activities that bring us joy. Finding balance in our lives contributes to greater success. Remember, time is the one thing we can never get back.

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?

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain has had a huge impact on my personal development. I was completely swept up by the way he talked about life—the chaos, his struggles with addiction, and the people who shaped his path. I often think about what fueled his thirst for discovery and the incredible career he built.

Bourdain changed my life. After six years of burning out in banking, I had the chance to see him speak in 2015. Just three months later, I quit my job and moved to Las Vegas with only a few good friends there, no job lined up, and just a little cash saved. The way he spoke about exploring the world and how discomfort is essential for growth really struck a chord with me. I realized I had the autonomy to change my situation.

After a few years in the service and hospitality industry, I decided to take a chance on myself and applied for a freelance position with a well-known makeup brand. I almost didn’t show up for the interview, but saying yes led me to where I am today.

“Be a fool. For love. For yourself. What you think MIGHT possibly make you happy—even for a little while—whatever the cost or good sense might dictate.” -Anthony Bourdain

This quote captures the spirit of risk and adventure that Bourdain inspired in me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/imyourrushmore

Image Credits