Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grace Cervantes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Grace, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
For me, self-discipline doesn’t come from some rigid routine or a perfectly mapped-out plan. Honestly, it comes from curiosity this little spark inside me that’s always wondering, “How far can I go? What can I build next? What else am I capable of while I’m here on this planet?”
I grew up without a financial cushion, so very early on, I had to learn how to provide for myself. And now, as a mother and someone building a life that supports my son and my family, that responsibility fuels me even more. It’s not pressure it’s purpose. It’s knowing that every step I take creates a better foundation for him. That matters to me.
But the biggest driver of my discipline is love. I genuinely love what I do. I’ve always been an artist at heart ever since I was little, I’ve been obsessed with creating things. Now I get to build entire worlds inside my studio. I dream up sets, I bring them to life, and then I get to watch families step into them and create memories. It’s magic… and I don’t take that for granted.
So yes, there are parts of running a business that aren’t glamorous—the emails, the scheduling, the never-ending to-do lists but I move through them with discipline because they’re the gateway to everything I’m passionate about. They’re the price of admission for the freedom I get as an entrepreneur: choosing my schedule, choosing my projects, choosing how much my art is worth. That freedom is everything to me.
My self-discipline comes from a mix of curiosity, responsibility, and deep gratitude. I wake up every day knowing I get to create something beautiful, support the people I love, and push the limits of what I thought was possible for myself. And honestly? That’s more motivating than any alarm clock or productivity hack out there.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the owner and creative heart behind Grace Studio, a Bay Area photography studio specializing in maternity, family, branding, and all things womanhood. What we do is so much more than taking photos our studio has become a magical little world where art, emotion, and legacy meet.
Grace Studio is known for our couture gown collection, custom-designed sets, and the immersive experience we offer our clients. We create some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful themed sets for meaningful seasons Mother’s Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and more. I love knowing that people trust us to help preserve the most important chapters of their lives: the moment they’re growing the next generation, watching their children change year after year, or stepping confidently into their own womanhood. The studio holds so much joy and positive energy, and I feel grateful every day to be in a place that feels like pure magic.
A lot of my work is rooted in the things I’ve loved since I was little fashion, design, florals, photography, and honestly, just making beautiful things with my hands. I always joke with my clients that maternity sessions feel like I’m playing with life-sized Barbie dolls. I get to style them in these stunning gowns, see their confidence unfold, and capture the strength and softness of motherhood all at once. It’s an experience that’s hard to describe… it’s really special.
We’ve built a studio environment that feels welcoming and fun for the whole family. Kids leave with treasures from our little toy box, parents get snacks and treats, and everyone gets a moment to breathe and enjoy being celebrated. That feeling of positivity is important to me every person who steps into our studio becomes a part of our story.
My journey into photography started in the most personal way. My son’s father gifted me my first camera, and I used it to photograph every part of my son’s childhood. Those early memories are what taught me the power of capturing a moment. Eventually, I was invited to a maternity event by my sister-in-law, and that led to my very first client. After that, it was a domino effect, referrals, Facebook mom groups, word of mouth… all of it slowly built the foundation of what Grace Studio is today.
And the beautiful part is: this still doesn’t feel like the finish line. Not even close. I’m still growing, still learning, still dreaming up new sets and experiences, and still excited every single day to walk into my studio and create something timeless.
Looking ahead, I want to continue expanding what Grace Studio can offer and build something that can live far beyond my own time here. It would mean the world to see this brand this magical little universe we’ve created continue to shine for generations.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back at my journey, the three qualities that have shaped my growth the most are self-discipline, resilience in the face of rejection, and unshakable faith in myself, in my work, and in the vision I’m building.
1. Self-Discipline
It sounds funny since we already touched on this earlier, but truly, self-discipline is the backbone of my business. A business grows the same way a plant does with love, attention, energy, and consistent care. There are days when I’m tired, overwhelmed, or not feeling like my brightest self, but I still show up. I show up for my clients, for my studio, and for the future I’m working toward. And when the session is done, I give myself permission to rest and reset privately. For anyone starting their journey: discipline isn’t about being perfect it’s about choosing to keep going, even when the feeling isn’t there. Commit to showing up for your dream on the good days and the hard days.
2. Resilience & Rejection Literacy
Entrepreneurship will test you. You will hear “no” more times than you’d like. Things won’t go as planned. You’ll run into problems you never imagined. What helped me grow was learning to stop taking rejection personally and stop letting it take up emotional real estate in my life. Instead of replaying the problem, I look for the solution. Being solution-oriented is a superpower. Don’t let one setback define your day, your month, or your year. Every entrepreneur has moments that sting. The ones who move forward are the ones who feel it, process it, and then keep building.
3. Faith & Confidence in Your Vision
From the very beginning, I had this quiet but strong belief that things would work out for me. Even when I didn’t have much, I had faith. Faith carried me through the uncertainty and helped me keep creating when I didn’t yet see the full picture. Small actions, done consistently, become something big but you have to believe your efforts matter before the results show up. For anyone early in their journey, I can’t stress this enough: believe in yourself the way you believe in the dreams that keep you up at night. That belief becomes fuel.
In short:
Be disciplined.
Don’t fear rejection.
Have faith.
These three qualities have taken me far, and they continue to shape the way I grow my business today. If you’re stepping into entrepreneurship, developing these three muscles will take you further than you think maybe even further than you dreamed.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Honestly, the people who have been the most transformative in helping me overcome challenges and grow into the woman and business owner I am today are my partner and my son.
My partner has played a huge role in my journey because he shares the same entrepreneurial fire that I do. Having someone at home who not only understands but lives that ambition, discipline, and vision has been such a blessing. He’s solution-oriented, optimistic, and grounded so whenever I’m navigating big decisions, taking risks, or dreaming bigger, he’s the person who helps me see possibilities instead of obstacles. Being surrounded by someone who genuinely believes in building something meaningful makes the hardest days feel doable.
And then there’s my son my biggest motivation. He’s the reason I stay disciplined, the reason I push through challenges, and the reason I hold myself to a higher standard. I want to create a life for him that’s full of opportunity and joy, and I want him to grow up seeing a mom who didn’t give up on her dreams. He inspires me to show up as the best version of myself, both in business and in motherhood.
Together, they’ve shaped my resilience, my ambition, and my heart and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gracecervantes.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracecervantesphotography?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gracecervantesphotography/
Image Credits
Grace Cervantes Photography
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