We recently had the chance to connect with Camille Velasquez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Camille, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Dancing! The moments where I am just in my room and really feeling the music and have so much to say but don’t know how, the music and my body does it for me. Sometimes an hour (or even close to 2) will pass by and I wouldn’t even realize it!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there, my name is Camille! I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and went to a visual arts high school and studied fashion design. I then applied to and attended Drexel University in Philadelphia to continue my studies in fashion. However, I felt a shift and switched to become a graphic design major my sophomore year while also adding a minor in dance. I then graduated with my bachelors of science in 2023 and took on a social media and design internship at my current job, Campus Philly. Starting off as an intern, I then went on to become part-time and eventually full-time. Campus Philly is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia that provides resources for students to stay and thrive in Philly. I am currently the Specialist of Content and Design, where I help manage our social platforms, elevate the branding, and find new ways to make our communications exciting with lots of collaboration. When I am not working I am dancing with a collective here in Philadelphia called Kontrol Productions, and I also run a food account with my friend where we showcase the best spots in Philly to try!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My family, more specifically my parents and grandparents. My grandparents on both sides of my family immigrated from their home countries, Cuba and Ecuador. Doing something like this is not easy, and they had to pick up a lot of jobs just to raise my parents and provide a good life for them. My Cuban grandmother on my Mom’s side has always been a hustler and businesswoman. She moved to Miami and started a pre-school business and ran those schools with the help of her brother and my mom later down the line. I would also volunteer at the school and eventually helped my mom with the management side of things. My mom currently has her own non-profit and is also always hungry to learn and be a creator and boss of her own things.
My dad has also taught me the importance of stability and consistency. I have seen him work very hard and still balance time for me and my brother to provide a healthy lifestyle. My dad has worked many jobs but also paved his path to evolve in his industry of pharmacy. He took the time and put in the work to go to school and showed me that with enough determination and knowledge you can do anything.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That it is ok to make mistakes and to be you! I think I put a lot of pressure on myself growing up while also comparing myself to other kids. Comparison is often the thief of joy and it was stealing a lot of it from me as I felt like I was never fully satisfied with myself or the work I would put out. I tried so hard to make sure everything was as perfect as it can be because I wanted try and be like the other kids who were getting the awards and the recognition. Looking back, sure the accolades are nice, but loving myself and just being satisfied with who I was and my work would be even better.
Now I am a lot more confident in myself and don’t put as much pressure on myself. I am doing a lot and have to give myself the credit where it is due!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe that it is! I always aim to be my most authentic self on and off the screen. Many of my friends and even those who have just met me will often tell me that I am the same online as I am in real life.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I personally live with no regrets, but if later down the line in life, if I haven’t lived life to the fullest and with honesty then that would be my regret. So I often strive to live life full, stay in the present, and be more true to myself and my feelings.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cami.v_18
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-velasquez-a47a091b5/
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