Meet Reonell Gloria

We recently connected with Reonell Gloria and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Reonell, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

When I find myself as the only one in the room who looks like me, I focus on embracing my individuality and letting my strengths shine. I’ve learned that being authentic is my greatest asset. By staying true to who I am, I can bring a unique perspective that adds value to the conversation.

Success to me, is personal. It’s not about comparing myself to others but about making sure I’m contributing in a way that feels meaningful and aligns with my goals. I focus on the energy I bring into the room—whether it’s through collaboration, problem-solving, or simply being present. When I’m enjoying the process and fully engaged, I’m able to make the most of any situation.
I also remind myself that standing out isn’t something to shy away from—it’s a strength. By being comfortable with my differences, I can challenge norms and offer new ideas without feeling pressured to conform. Ultimately, success in these moments comes from owning who I am, appreciating the journey, and using my unique perspective as an advantage.

Success can only be measured in your mind, because the definition of it is different to every individual. The energy you output and translate to others has a great impact, more than you realize.

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

A little bit about me—I’ve been involved in creative work for as long as I can remember. I started as a pianist at a young age, transitioned into music production in high school, and even became a resident DJ for a club in San Francisco while in college (i dropped out). I’ll be honest, I spent most of my life partying & raving. During that time, I worked and spent about seven years as a brand director for a cannabis company and developing brands in the Sacramento area. This year, I’ve taken the leap to focus full-time on my own business. Along the way, I’ve also been creating brand identities for various companies and clubs in the Sacramento area.

Professionally, my current focus is on collaborating with brands to help shape and elevate their creative identity. I’m in the process of developing a creative agency, which is something I’m incredibly excited about. While I can’t share too many details just yet, my vision is to bring together some of the most talented photographers, videographers, and creatives I know. I believe in their potential and want to create opportunities for them to shine.

At the moment, much of my work is still in development, but I’m actively involved in event and commercial photography through my company, brownCHILD LLC. Additionally, I co-manage an e-commerce agency called Mavecca.

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to cover some incredible events. I just returned from SEMA 2024, a major automotive event that was an amazing experience. I also had the privilege of shooting Aftershock 2024 and GoldenSky 2024—two of the biggest music festivals in the Sacramento area. Looking ahead, I’m closing out the music festival season with THIS916’s Railyard events featuring Anderson .Paak and Gorgon City—one of the largest EDM events in the region.

This year has been a journey, and have brought thrilling milestones for me and have further fueled my passion for capturing dynamic moments in both automotive and music spaces. As I continue to develop my creative agency, I’m eager to expand into more convention and event photography while supporting other creatives along the way. I’m looking to attend more exotic car events and lifestyle events, (ie. Monterey Car Week, The Quail, Las Vegas Concours at the Wynn, and ComplexCon!)

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?

1. Being Fluid and Malleable
One of the most impactful qualities in my journey has been the ability to remain fluid and adaptable. Skills, knowledge, and concepts often translate across industries, even if they’re framed in different terms. This is especially important because industries—and life in general—are constantly evolving at a rapid pace. By staying flexible and open to change, I’ve been able to navigate new environments while applying the same foundational lessons and concepts I’ve learned over time.
My advice: focus on developing a mindset that embraces uncertainty and variability. Understand that there are countless variables outside of your control, and success often comes from adapting to those variables rather than resisting them.

2. Building Genuine Connections with Those Who Inspire You
Another key factor has been the willingness to reach out and connect with people who inspire me. Whether it’s sending a direct message or starting a conversation, I’ve learned that most people are open to connecting when approached with sincerity and respect. My advice: don’t hesitate to reach out to those you admire—but always lead with value. Be genuine, provide support, and approach relationships as a human first rather than with an agenda. Opportunities often arise from mutual support and shared passions, so prioritize building authentic relationships over transactional ones.

3. Trusting the Process and Enjoying the Journey
Finally, trusting my process has been essential to my growth. Self-doubt can be paralyzing, but I’ve learned that going all-in—whether it leads to success or a lesson is always worth it. Both outcomes are wins because they either bring rewards or valuable insights for the future. My advice: take time to reflect on your progress regularly. Step back and view your journey from a third-person perspective—you’ll often realize just how much you’ve accomplished without noticing it in the moment. Energy is contagious; by maintaining a positive outlook and appreciating your growth, you’ll inspire both yourself and those around you.

4. Go Out and Live Life
A lot of my opportunities came from simply going out and being present. As someone who is naturally introverted, I understand how challenging this can be—but stepping outside your comfort zone can make all the difference. Whether it’s attending a music event, a networking mixer, or even just going out with a friend, these moments create opportunities for chance encounters. You never know who knows who or who might resonate with your energy and gravitate toward you.
My advice: live your life fully by stepping out into the world. Take those small but meaningful steps to engage with your surroundings—you might just find opportunities waiting for you where you least expect them.

By focusing on adaptability, building authentic connections, trusting the process, and actively engaging with life outside your comfort zone, you can create meaningful opportunities while enjoying every step of the journey.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe this is a double-edged sword, and the answer depends on where you are in your journey. When you’re dialed in and have clarity on your strengths, I think it’s better to go all-in. Being hyper-focused on something builds momentum, and momentum can take you far. However, there’s also immense value in improving your weaknesses—there’s always a lesson to be learned or a skill that can translate back into your strengths.

This balance has been a recurring theme in my life. I’ve had phases where I’ve hyper-focused on specific strengths, such as being a musician and producer, a DJ, a graphic designer and now a photographer. Each phase was about going all-in on what I was passionate about at the time, and that focus helped me develop mastery and momentum in those fields.

For example, when I became a photographer, I didn’t realize how much it would open doors for me. Photography not only allowed me to refine my creative strengths but also helped me improve areas I wasn’t as strong in, like networking and stepping outside my comfort zone. Through photography, I’ve connected with individuals I never would have thought to reach out to otherwise—people who have inspired me and created opportunities I wouldn’t have encountered if I hadn’t pursued this craft.

So while I advocate for focusing on your strengths when you’re clear about them, I also believe there’s value in exploring your weaknesses. Sometimes the skills you develop while improving those weaker areas can complement or even enhance your strengths in unexpected ways. Ultimately, life is full of phases, and we never know where the universe will take us. The key is to stay open to both paths—going all-in when it feels right but also remaining curious about areas for growth.

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