We were lucky to catch up with Ingrid Nájera recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ingrid, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
At the onset of Covid, mid March 2020, I immediately got laid off of my first real job since graduating college. I had been at this job for 3 years, had been applying for a new job for at least 6 months and had worked with one client on the side as a freelance designer. I had no luck with any new job prospects and when I got laid off I knew finding a new position, especially during a pandemic was going to be almost impossible. I was defeated. I panicked, cried and fell into a mild depression.
My son, who was 5 at the time, stopped going to daycare and we sat at our apartment for months.
Luckily I was able to get unemployment which relieved the immediate stress of finding a way to pay the bills. I revamped my website I made during college, posted the logo I had created and began advertising my designs on social media. During the first 5 months of this journey I created 2 logos and one food truck design. This wasn’t even enough to cover one month’s rent but I didn’t see any other option. It was either build my brand or go work a random 9-5 that would pay the bills but felt like I was giving up on my dreams. I had been dreaming of starting my own freelance company but had always been too afraid. I knew it was either now or never. THIS was my chance.
So I kept at it.
I put my pride to the side, moved back in with my parents, focused on my skill, my brand and gaining clients. Slowly I started getting more clients. Slowly I was able to raise my prices and slowly I started to make a name for myself in my community. And I’m so glad I did.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hello, my name is Ingrid Nájera. I am a graphic designer, illustrator, fashion content creator, part-time art teacher, mother and so much more. I love what I do. I love the range of work I get to do which all centers around art and expression. I am focused on growing the roots I have planted in all the fields I mentioned. I am still not where I want to be as far as scale and income but I know I am on the journey I am meant to be on. I am living my dream.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three most important skills in my journey have been kindness, adaptability, and confidence.
First, you have to know how to be kind and how to talk to people. It does not matter if they can offer you opportunity or not, treat everyone with kindness and look how far it will get you. Second is adaptability, and this is a big one. Whatever you think your path is, learn to be okay with detours, dead ends and so much more. Life will never go the way you plan it and that’s okay. There is something so much better waiting for you even if it seems like nothing is working out. Keep faith that things are working in your favor and be adaptable to change. The third is confidence. Whether you got it or not, hold your head up high and trust the process. If you are good at what you do, and you love what you do, having the confidence to pursue it makes all the difference. Trust yourself and your abilities.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Honestly I owe it all to my parents. I am a first generation Latina, I watched my parents sacrifice everything to provide opportunity for me and my siblings. The most impactful thing my parents did for me was show me how to work hard, how to think long term and prioritize family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inajera7.wixsite.com/inajera
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msingridnajera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.najera.7921/
Image Credits
CharDale Barnes
Charles Maurice
Jabaree Suh
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
