Meet Tricia Lopez

We recently connected with Tricia Lopez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tricia, 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?

I grew up with a dad who never sugar-coated anything. He would tell me straight up, “Yes, it’s because you’re a woman, and yes, it’s because you’re brown.” So from a really young age, I was aware of my identity. I grew up being picked on at school, dealing with colorism in my own culture, and just constantly noticing that I was usually the only one in the room who looked like me.

For a long time, I tried to hide because of that. I wanted to blend in. But eventually I realized two things: one, this is who I am and it’s not something I can or should try to change; and two, embracing it actually became my superpower. Once I stopped fighting it, I understood that being the only one in the room gives me a perspective most people can’t tap into.

As a copywriter, that perspective is everything. I naturally think about the people and stories that aren’t being included. I catch the nuances. I question the defaults. And I bring a point of view shaped by real lived experience, not just stats or assumptions. It helps me create work that feels more honest, more inclusive, and more reflective of the world we actually live in.

Being a woman of color in this industry has also made me more outspoken. I advocate for better representation, especially for Latin American communities that rarely get highlighted beyond the same two or three cultures. I’m not afraid to call out where the work can be more thoughtful or more accurate.

So yes, I’m often the only one in the room who looks like me. But instead of shrinking because of that, I’ve learned to let it fuel me. It’s become the lens I create from, the reason I speak up, and honestly, one of the biggest strengths I bring to the table.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a mid-level copywriter working in advertising, currently at Omelet. I didn’t take a traditional path into the industry, I kind of leapt into it. I came from a creative writing background and started at my first agency as a resource coordinator, managing freelance talent and quietly sitting in on every creative meeting I could. I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t just want to support the work, I wanted to write it. So I started from square one, worked my way into a junior copywriter role, and slowly built the career I’m in now.

These days, I concept and write social activations, taglines, scripts, brand voice, and messaging. If it needs writing, I’m usually in it. I’ve worked with brands like Netflix, Prime Video, ESPN, NFL, and Peacock, and I’m currently working with Google and Scopely, where I’ve been deep in the chaotic, joyful world of Monopoly GO!

Most recently, I helped develop The Dice Life campaign, a big, silly, ‘90s sitcom-inspired project starring Jake Johnson, Sunita Mani, and Mr. Monopoly himself. I helped shape the narrative, write scripts, and define the tone from pre-pro through launch. It was one of those projects that reminded me why I love advertising: bold ideas, a lot of humor, a little nostalgia, and real creative collaboration.

What I find most exciting about what I do is getting to combine strategy with play. I care deeply about making work that people actually enjoy. Work that makes someone laugh, share, or feel something instead of just scrolling past it. There’s always intention behind the goofiness. I’m constantly asking: does this feel human? Does it feel fun? Would I care?

Outside of work, my personality is probably best described as curious, nostalgic, and totally a silly goose in the best way. I’m an actual LA native! I love video games (currently have 1500+ hours in The Sims 4), and I’m always learning something new. I’m a big believer in self-curriculum, whether that means diving into science, literature, or currently what I’m learning: the Napoleonic Wars.

Before advertising, I was a creative writer! I was editor-in-chief of my college literary magazine, self-published a book of poetry, and have been published in and invited to read at national literary magazines. That foundation still shapes everything I do today whether it’s how I think about story, tone, and emotional payoff.

At the end of the day, my “brand,” if I have one, is storytelling with heart and humor. I love weird ideas, thoughtful writing, and making people feel seen. The industry moves fast, the world can feel heavy, and I’m focused on creating work that brings a little humor, a little honesty, and maybe a smile along the way.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, there are three things that had the biggest impact on my journey so far and they’re not the flashiest skills, but they’re the ones that changed everything for me.

1. Brutal honesty with myself

Before courage or determination ever showed up, honesty had to come first. If I hadn’t been honest with myself about being unhappy in my original career path, I never would’ve made the leap into advertising. I had to admit, “This isn’t it for me. I want more, and I want something different.” Once I said that out loud to myself, that’s when everything else followed.

My advice to people early in their journey is to check in with yourself often and tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. If something isn’t working, ignoring it won’t make it go away. Being honest doesn’t mean you have all the answers, it just means you’re willing to ask the right questions.

2. Learning to slow down

I’m 27, and I’ve accomplished a lot at a young age but for a long time, I wasn’t slowing down enough to actually be present or absorb what I was learning. I was always focused on the next title, the next project, the next thing. I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep moving, keep climbing, keep proving.

What I’ve learned (and am still actively unlearning, with the help of therapy) is that constantly rushing leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, and feeling unfulfilled even when things look “successful” on paper. Slowing down doesn’t mean losing ambition; it means giving yourself space to grow intentionally.

For folks early on: you don’t need to sprint through your career. Learn where you are. Be curious. Let yourself fully experience each phase before racing to the next one.

3. Not living for my job

This one might be controversial, but it’s been essential for me: I don’t live for my job. I love what I do. I get to be creative and have fun at work but when I close my laptop or leave the office, I’m not copywriter Tricia anymore. I’m just Tricia.

I don’t talk about work on the weekends. My friends and I have a rule, we can briefly vent or debrief, and then we move on. We go out to dinner, we dance, we live our lives. Especially in advertising, it’s easy to feel like your whole identity needs to be your job. I don’t believe that’s necessary to be successful.

My advice here is to build a full life outside of work. Your job can be important without being everything. Boundaries don’t make you less committed; they make you more grounded.

At the end of the day, my biggest lesson has been this: be honest with yourself, don’t push when you don’t need to, and remember that your value isn’t tied to your job title. You’re allowed to grow and enjoy your life at the same time.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned that the worst thing I can do is try to push through it without changing anything. Instead, I lean on a few very real, very practical habits that help me reset.

1. I physically remove myself

If I’m stuck or feeling overloaded, I stop what I’m doing and take a walk. No forcing it. So many times, the right words or ideas don’t come because I’m sitting there spiraling. Walking around the neighborhood, going to the mall, grabbing dinner, or even taking a short drive helps me clear my head. I’ve learned that stepping away isn’t avoiding the work. It’s creating space for it.

2. I give myself real, focused time to work

This sounds obvious, but it’s easy to feel like you don’t have time when it’s actually been eaten up by distractions. When I’m overwhelmed, I do what I can to remove those distractions and give myself uninterrupted time. I’ll put on lo-fi study music, lock my apps so I can’t scroll, and commit to focusing for a set period. Once I do that, I usually realize I have more time and clarity than I thought.

3. I ask for help

Asking for help has been one of the most important things I’ve learned, especially as a creative. Feeling overwhelmed often comes from feeling alone in it. Reaching out to a teammate, a friend, or someone I trust for feedback, inspiration, or even just reassurance makes a huge difference. Sometimes you need advice, and sometimes you just need someone to say, “You’re not crazy, this makes sense.” Either way, it helps move things forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://triciamarialopez.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trvcvv.l/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciamariepardini/

Image Credits

Steven Jones