We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Checa Aka Mirror Mom a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Checa, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
By embracing it, it makes me happy to stand out! I’ve had strangers ask to take my picture, give me hugs and ask for my social media info, simply based on my apperance. Checa Style is what my mom, Aurora, calls it. Recently at a gathering I said, “I still act and dress like I’m 5.” My niece Nyra responded with; “You ARE five…” It was hard to dispute while I was wearing my adorable ice cream cone purse… My family refers to me as the odd, weird, and unbalanced one… At least I’m not boring. I also have this thing about growing up, kinda refusing to do it, and it’s why I’d describe the way I dress as “Toddler Chic”. A lot of cuteness, cartoons and definitely some mismatching. I have extensive collections of sunglasses, shoes, bags, and headphones, but my biggest would be my t-shirts. Those always get attention. Best part is shopping in the kids’ section. My son loves it because we get to match! I appreciate when I get complimented on my outfit. My heart smiles, my day gets better. I feel the best when I’m dressed like “me”. It’s a motivator to spread more joy, as one of my favorite hobbies is to let others know how great they look and make them feel special too! By either saying it out loud, writing it on mirrors or handing out SMILE clips. I hope it encourages everyone to be comfortable being themselves and dress however they want. We all have an unknown expiration date, wear what makes you happy, live your life for you!
— Checa is the nickname my tata gave me, it derives from the Spanish word chueca, meaning crooked. He gave it to me because I walked pigeon toed… Somewhere along the way, the U got lost, and then I became Checa.
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?
I am a registered National Day Ambassador, our daily assignment is to celebrate! My journey began in my 20s, when I’d write affirmations on the mirror. I incorporated this when I became a parent and Mirror Mom was born. During the weekdays, I’d update the restroom mirror with information to engage the kids as they got ready for school. I would include inspiration, fun & educational knowledge, along with Spanish translations! Incorporating national days was my way of trying to show that there is always a reason to get excited and be thankful to see another morning. Adding drawings helped to keep them entertained and doing it constantly improved my art skills.
I expanded to drawing on different “canvases”; glass frames, cars, houses, businesses and any other smooth surface I could experiment with. Later on, my focus switched to solely spreading national day awareness. I love celebrating with my toddler Ife or getting on my bike and riding to visit and try unknown places. I document my celebratory adventures to share online, sometimes leaving little doodles/treasures behind.
Something I’m also passionate about is the “Smiles Save” Project. A smile may be an insignificant gesture, but you never know how much of an impact it can make on another life, it could be their last will to live… Those who have attempted suicide and failed have admitted that maybe even if a stranger would have acknowledged them, they would have never tried to leave this world. Which is why I take my smile everywhere I go! Regularly handing out and hiding “Smiles”. What excites me is when I find new clip designs, more ways spread joy and leave my mark on this world!
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?
Confidence is a must, believe in yourself and that anything is possible, because it is! Passion, you can do anything you want, you just have to find what drives you, buckle up and floor it until you reach your destination! Be kind, we never know what everyone else is going through, being nice is free and it could be the difference in someone’s day.
Learn to schedule, stay busy, always keep working on yourself. Anything can be learned or improved, you just have to really want it. There have been so many advancements that you’re able to teach yourself almost anything, so long as you’re willing to invest the time. Everyone is on different paths. Try a little of everything until you find what works for you!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
There have been plenty of times that I’ve asked myself; “Where would I be without my mom?” I fall without fear because I know she’s there. Eternally grateful for everything she’s done and will continue to do, but being present is one of the best gifts she’s given me. She’s very supportive of Mirror Mom! Kind of ironic because when I was younger, she used to get upset with me for making “masterpieces” on the walls… but now she asks me to come draw on her house and cars so I can advertise myself! I’d also like to thank her for keeping my sisters and me so cultured and diverse. Ballets, museums, theaters… Jamaican, Chinese, Native American Festivals… anything that taught us about different backgrounds. We learned to love and include everyone, regardless of their ethnicities.
One of my goals is to sweep her off her feet. Would love to be the reason she can kick them up and relax forever. I’m aiming for the stars and want to make her proud by succeeding in my own way. I’d like to give her the world, and then some, the same way she’s always given it to me!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mirror.mom/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mirrormom
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/mirror_mom
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@themirrormom
- Other: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/mirror-mom/
