We recently connected with Stephanie Hooper and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
How did I find my purpose?
Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Art has always been a part of me. But when the time came to decide about college, my parents didn’t support the idea of me pursuing art as a career. So, I chose a different path and studied to become an ESL teacher. I was good with languages, I enjoyed working with children, and I saw that I could make a difference that way. At the same time, I never stopped making art — it remained part of who I am.
When I first came to the United States, I worked as a nanny. Through that experience, I saw the struggles that many people face when learning English — the barriers to communication, the challenges in finding better job opportunities, and the feeling of being disconnected from the community. But I also noticed something powerful: there was a deep desire within the Oakland community to help Latinos, to bridge that gap, and to connect with our culture. It inspired me.
As I settled in Oakland, I started painting murals with my husband and working as a muralist, and we created a collective called Los Pobres Artistas. We began making murals around the city, and I fell in love with the process. Murals are a form of public art, accessible to everyone, and they allow us to deliver powerful messages of hope and resilience to the community. For me, creating murals is a way to give back — they’re visual stories that anyone can experience, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that brings art to the streets.
After moving to the U.S., I also began working as a Spanish teacher in various schools and language programs. Over time, I realized I could create my own path and start a business, especially when I saw other women doing it. That inspired me. I wanted to build something that combined my passions: teaching, empowering others, and creating art. That’s when I started ESPT language school, and it felt like things were finally coming together.
I’ve come to understand that my purpose is to help people connect through language, through culture, and creativity. Becoming a mother has made that purpose even clearer. My son motivates me every day to grow, to be a better version of myself, and to keep building something meaningful, not just for me, but for him and my community.
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?
Hi, I’m Stephanie Hooper — a business owner, artist, community builder, and language instructor living in Oakland, California. I run Easy Spanish Para Ti, a language school that offers Spanish and English classes to individuals, companies, and nonprofits. I love helping people connect through language, whether that’s a parent learning English or a professional wanting to communicate better with the community.
I’m also a muralist and founder of Los Pobres Artistas, a collective that creates public art with messages of justice, hope, and resilience. We’ve been painting murals in Oakland for almost 10 years. I love that muralism is for everyone — it’s out on the street, it tells stories, and it brings people together.
Right now, I’m excited about growing our after-school programs for kids, launching creative workshops, and planning community murals to celebrate our collective’s 10th anniversary. At the heart of everything I do is a love for culture, connection, and using art and language to build a better world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, creativity, and the ability to connect with others.
Resilience has been essential — moving to a new country, starting over, and building a business from the ground up isn’t easy. There were moments of doubt and challenge, but I kept going. My advice for anyone starting is: don’t give up just because things feel hard or slow. Stay focused on your vision, be patient with yourself, and keep learning from every step.
Creativity has helped me in every part of my work — from designing language classes to painting murals. It’s not just about being artistic; it’s about thinking outside the box, solving problems, and bringing new ideas to life. I encourage people to embrace their creative side, even if it doesn’t look like what others expect. Try new things, take risks, and trust your instincts.
And finally, building genuine relationships has been a big part of my growth. Whether in teaching, community organizing, or art, everything meaningful I’ve done has been rooted in collaboration and connection. My advice is: listen more than you speak, show up for people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or offer it.
Developing these qualities takes time, but if you stay open and grounded in your values, your path will unfold in the right direction.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I’m always open to collaborating, especially with folks who are passionate about language, art, education, and community work. I love working with other artists, educators, grassroots organizations, and businesses that want to create something meaningful, inclusive, and creative.
Whether through mural projects, language programs, cultural events, or community-building efforts, I’m interested in collaborations that uplift voices, celebrate culture, and bring people together.
If you’re reading this and want to connect, you can reach out through my website:
📩 easyspanishparati.net
or send me a message on Instagram:
📱@_easyspanishparati_ @lospobresartistas
Let’s build something beautiful together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://easyspanishparati.net
- Instagram: @lospobresartistas @_easyspanishparati_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hooper-0ba873b3/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/easy-spanish-para-ti-oakland-3
Image Credits
My pictures
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
