Meet Carmen Alvarez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Alvarez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Carmen with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I am the single US-born oldest daughter of two of the hardest-working people I have every known–my parents. My father was raised on a small farm and began working at an early age. My mom, born in the city, helped her parents with their small business. The both worked from childhood and went to vocational school and college, respectively, in Cuba. When they arrived in the US with nothing but their suitcases and my infant brother, they were determined to make their version of the American Dream come through. My father worked every job he could find, 7 days a week, morning and night, to scrimp and save. My mother did the same, only taking time off to care and raise my brother. They often shared stories with me of going to the bank on weekends to all help my father clean it, as it was one of his weekend jobs. After 6 years, they had saved enough and a local family grocery store was put up for sale, They negotiated a down payment and installment plan to purchase the business. This is when you can say they REALLY started working and the notion of a family business was born. I was an infant when this happened, so I was raised in the store with my mother working the register, my father and brother working as butchers. They opened 7 days a week, 7am – 7pm and never missed a day of work. I was taught from a young age to work for what you want by this example my parents set for me.

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

Since 2023, I’m a full-time content creator. My content focuses mainly on uplifting books by Latinx authors as well as discussing the lack of Latinx representation in publishing. I not only review books and make recommendation lists, but I combine my love of vintage fashion and accessories, many bookish, into the mix. In addition, I love to recreate book covers (through photography and editing) when featuring books I love, so you also get an aesthetic cover recreations in your feed.

I have a Discord book club for my Patreon supporters, whether paid or not, where we discuss a different Latinx book every month. As a mood reader, we read across genres, so you’re never bored by our selections. In addition, when possible we do private Zoom author interviews for book club, so you get the added bonus of accessing the author of your (hopefully) new favorite Latinx book OR you get to ask that burning question you had the whole time you’re reading.

I love Latinx books and if you’re interested in reading beyond the best seller list and finding some excellent books to add to your repertoire, then follow me for book recommendations.

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?

Content creators struggle to build platforms within arbitrary algorithms. While numbers are important, I wouldn’t recommend always following them for guidance as you build a platform. Instead, follow your passion. If you focus on your passion and what you live, make trends secondary, you’ll steadily build a community of like-minded individuals.

Patience is key. Most accounts do go viral overnight and you have to stop thinking it will happen to you. Tend to your content, figure out what works and doesn’t.

Keep your eye on your own account. Comparison is the theft of joy, as they say.

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 potential Tik Tok ban has been so eye-opening. Success on a platform is not only arbitrary, but the rug can be pulled from right underneath your feet without warning or reason. Owning your content is so important in this day and age when corporations that own social media ban or are banned.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

I am the photographer and copyright owner of all these photos.

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