We were lucky to catch up with Mia Ross recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mia, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t. There have been many times when I undervalued my work, shied away from recognition, or priced my services well below market value. But I’ve learned to continue showing up, whether I feel worthy or not. Sometimes you learn as you go. Sometimes you only recognize how imposter syndrome manifested in retrospect. In those moments of clarity, I show up for myself and make corrections.
I once heard that discipline plus love equals devotion. What pushes me forward, regardless of how I feel, is my devotion to the causes my clients fight for, to living a life I can be proud of, and to ensuring others can do what they love just as I do.
When I do catch imposter syndrome creeping in, I remind myself of the statistics: Black women are the most educated demographic in this country. I have a master’s degree hanging on my wall —a daily reminder of the years of research, practice, and study I devoted to developing my perspective.
Lastly, I think about my heritage. Being vigilant, clever, and highly skilled were necessary for my ancestors to survive. Their lives informed the very shape of my bones. I have a duty to use this inheritance to create a beautiful life worth living.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My professional journey began with global ambitions. In college, I was deeply concerned with issues outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—environmental sustainability, women’s education, LGBTQ+ rights, and building sustainable cities. I had the privilege of presenting research at the UN in both Austria and New York on how non-profits were leveraging blockchain technology for social good.
What I discovered, however, was symposiums and conferences discussing brilliant solutions, but very little execution. Ideas would float around then fade as things returned to ‘normal.’ Seeking a different approach, I pivoted to VICE Media, drawn to their reputation for raw, genuine storytelling. While the environment was refreshingly authentic, the mounting ethical scandals I witnessed pushed me to reconsider my path.
After completing my graduate degree and returning to the DMV area, I wondered: How could I work directly with people taking actions locally, that ripple out into global community? This led me to found iammai CREATIVE—a branding studio dedicated to problem solvers, non-profits, and entrepreneurs doing what they love. People who do what they love are better citizens, family members, and community contributors. As you can imagine, investing 100% of my energy in building my vision was a risk; yet, it is the best decision I’ve ever made.
The name ‘iammai CREATIVE’ was born from the intention to affirm and reflect the greatest ‘I AM’ in people letting their heart lead. I’ve had the honor of working with some incredible humans. Driven, inspiring, and uniquely positioned to do what they do, I’ve learned from every single one of my clients.
My services are structured in four phases:
The Plan: Strategy, market research, social media strategy and analytics, and digital campaign development.
The Proof: Visual storytelling through photography and videography—including lifestyle/conceptual shoots, team portraits, architecture, real estate, product photography, and aerial videography.
The Style: Design services encompassing brand identity, product packaging, logos, infographics, print materials, and web development.
The Growth: Ongoing support through social media management, web maintenance, copywriting, PR, and crisis communication.
I’m excited to announce a new service that integrates astrology-informed timing into my clients’ campaign calendars, allowing for more intentional and aligned marketing strategies.
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?
The first, curiosity. I used to dream about being paid to learn new things for the rest of my life. Being human is this throbbing, complex phenomena. Curiosity led me to create a workflow where I can regularly take deep dives of new topics and perspectives. I get to conduct market research on each client’s industry and learn how their audiences think. Through them, I am constantly learning and growing.
Next, I’d highlight intuition. It’s priceless to have the discernment to know when to push forward, and when to let go. I’ve learned to listen and trust my intuition, and I also experienced what happens when you don’t… which was not fun, but informative. Entreprenuership can be very unpredictable, your inner voice is the best guidance you can get.
Lastly, I’d say intentional rest. My schedule deliberately includes downtime, and I am very serious about taking time to recharge. I honor the autonomy of being a full-time entrepreneur by taking good care of my mental, physical, and spiritual health. It’s somthething that needs to be integrated from the very beginning, don’t wait until burnout. Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement and an honoring of all who came before me who couldn’t.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I am especially adept at helping Black, queer, or women world-builders—and even better when they embody all of the above. My experience, perspective, and creative approach are uniquely calibrated to amplify these voices and visions. That said, I’m open to working with anyone who is actively creating positive growth in the world, regardless of their identity. What matters most is that they’re committed to building something that improves lives and communities.
I’m particularly drawn to working with people of the global majority who are reclaiming narratives and creating new possibilities. They understand their work as both personal fulfillment and community contribution. They’re deeply passionate about their purpose and recognize the journey itself has value.
The magic happens when I work with decisive visionaries who know their work matters, who are ready to be seen in their fullness, and who recognize that authenticity is more important than perfection. When they show up as their complete selves, they create space for others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iammaicreative.com/
- Instagram: @iammai.creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iammaiCREATIVE
- Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/iammai.creative
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
