Meet Krisia Powell

We recently connected with Krisia Powell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Krisia, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from a blend of life’s challenges and the incredible support system around me. As a solo immigrant who left everything behind at 25—trading a Senior PR role to become an Au Pair and chase new opportunities in the USA—I quickly learned that every setback is an opportunity in disguise. Over the past 16 years in Los Angeles, I’ve encountered many moments that taught me to be flexible, embrace change, and see every twist as a stepping stone rather than a roadblock.
I believe resilience is more than just bouncing back—it’s about mindfulness and self-reflection. Taking a step back to understand my feelings and learn from each challenging moment has helped me respond thoughtfully rather than merely react. I owe so much of my strength to the people who believed in me along the way; their encouragement fuels my inner drive and reminds me that, no matter how hard things get, I have what it takes to rise again.
As I continue reinventing myself, I see resilience as a mix of hard-earned life lessons, a steadfast commitment to self-improvement, and the unwavering support of the community I’ve built over the years. Change is constant, and I’m proud to say that each challenge has not only helped me grow personally and professionally but has also empowered me to inspire and lead others.”

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

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and at 25 years old, I took a bold leap—leaving behind a senior PR role to become an Au Pair in pursuit of new opportunities in the USA. Along this journey, I wore many hats—working as a server and bartender and even appearing in a couple of TV commercials. In 2014, I discovered a passion for welding and metal fabrication, and I instantly fell in love with the art of craftsmanship.

Over the years, I had the incredible opportunity to work and be mentored by renowned restaurateur Heather Tierney as a Designer and Project Manager for the popular plant-based café, The Butcher Daughter. This role allowed me to direct restaurant expansion projects from A to Z, revealing a new side of me that thrives on both creative vision and hands-on execution. It was a turning point where I honed my craftsmanship and became part of the marketing team.

This experience opened doors to exciting projects across Los Angeles and New York, including launching The Let’s Go Disco, De La Nonna, De Buena Planta, and the wine bar pop-up “Only The Wild Ones” on Abbot Kinney. In 2023, I took another leap by founding my studio, Kiki Love You INC. Through my studio, I’ve collaborated with notable brands like Sauce Brooklyn—a wine bar in Brooklyn—directing the build-out and design of their Manhattan and Los Angeles locations (at the historic landmark of the former Ace Hotel rooftop in DTLA). I also revamped a popular Italian restaurant in Atwater Spina in just two days for their opening in 2023.

Inspired by these experiences, I’m now working on “Kiki’s Natural Wine Bar – Pop-up,” a scalable, worldwide project that aims to beautify spaces (with beautification no gentrification) and bring communities together over delicious, artisanal wines. My vision is to create a hub for community gatherings and to support business owners facing industry challenges through collaborative partnership initiatives and design tweaks.

In essence, my journey is all about blending creativity, craftsmanship, and community building into transformative projects that inspire, unite, and drive meaningful change.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are adaptability, curiosity, and relationship building.
Adaptability:
Leaving Caracas at 25 and reinventing myself in the USA taught me that change is inevitable—and that every setback can be an opportunity in disguise. Embracing change has allowed me to pivot across diverse roles, from au pair to bartender to creative leader. My advice: stay flexible, embrace challenges, and be ready to step out of your comfort zone. This openness not only accelerates personal growth but also creates new pathways to success.
Curiosity:
I have always been driven by a relentless curiosity. Whether it’s learning new languages, earning countless certifications, or diving into books, courses, and YouTube videos, I believe in investing in continuous education. Being in constant learning mode has opened countless doors for me. I’m currently learning Italian and exploring AI and digital marketing courses—because staying curious keeps you ahead of the curve and opens you up to new opportunities. My advice is simple: never stop learning. Embrace every chance to expand your knowledge; it’s the key to unlocking your full potential.
Relationship Building:
Throughout my journey, authentic connections have been invaluable. The mentors, collaborators, and communities I’ve built have played a crucial role in my success. I advise those just starting out to invest time in networking and nurturing genuine relationships. Collaborate with people who inspire you, and don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance. Strong relationships can transform challenges into opportunities and accelerate your career growth.
By embracing adaptability, nurturing relentless curiosity, and building genuine relationships, you set yourself on a path to not only overcome obstacles but also unlock incredible opportunities. Keep learning, stay flexible, and surround yourself with inspiring people—and you’ll be amazed at how far these steps can take you.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Yes, early last year, I had to undergo surgery to have my breast implants removed—implants I had since I was 24—while I was launching my own business. It was a major setback: projects in my pipeline were canceled, and promising partnerships fell through, which truly broke my heart. Although the procedure cost a fortune, I’m grateful I did it because I learned that without our health, nothing else matters.

That last quarter was one of the most challenging times in my life, but it also gave me the space to reflect and take decisive action on what truly counts. I realized that improvement doesn’t happen overnight; rather, patience and the willingness to reinvent yourself over and over again are what make you stronger and a better person. This experience has reinforced my commitment to resilience and self-care, continually inspiring me to pursue growth in both my personal and professional life.

However, as this year began, it felt like one challenge after another—fires, political disputes, and a lot of uncertainty. I believe these times are preparing us for even greater change and offering more opportunities to give and receive love. In a world where obstacles abound, I see every challenge as a stepping stone toward personal and collective growth.

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Image Credits

Chesney lysh

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