We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pablo Olguin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Pablo , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Over the years, I’ve learned to become more confident in myself and talent by pushing away the voice inside my head that says otherwise. If you don’t believe in yourself, others will always sense it. My biggest challenge is that I am my biggest critic. It is easy to get wrapped up about how I am being perceived, but I have devoted myself to always keep my head held high and articulate my voice so others are comfortable and trust my vision in everything I do. At the end of the day, your work ethic will be valued and appreciated more, even when you don’t necessarily fit in.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a freelance interior stylist and set designer for residential, commercial, and editorial clients. Whether it is conceptualizing and designing a client’s home or brand’s set- the most exciting aspect of my job is creating an environment that aligns perfectly with the client’s preferences, while incorporating my own vision with theirs. The process is also something extremely rewarding to me. Witnessing a project slowly come to life and how the client reacts to seeing it in person is truly the best part. I am constantly seeking new clients to make beautiful work together and at the same time strengthening my creative skills along the way.
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?
You have to be patient, confident, and driven. Patient to be a follower until you have the means to be the leader and to listen to everyone’s input and ideas, while staying true to your own. You have to be confident in your own voice, so that other people believe in you and trust your guidance and always stay driven, so that you push yourself to be better in everything you do not just on a project but in everyday life. You have to acknowledge that things won’t just fall on your lap, hard work will always do it for you, but you have to have a hardworking mindset.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My mother bringing me to the United States from Mexico when I was 8 years old. She wanted me to experience the American dream that so many immigrants hoped for back then. From that time until now, she taught me to always be independent and hardworking- to always have what I deserve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.polg.work/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyypablo/
Image Credits
Yudi Ela, Seth Caplan, Robert Orlowski, David Land, Levi Walton, Charlie Engman, Hoshi Joell
