Today we’d like to introduce you to Genesis Ruiz
Hi Genesis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My entrepreneurial journey began many years ago, when I first started as a freelance makeup artist. It was in that moment that I realized I wanted to achieve more than just a single career goal. Since then, I’ve stayed committed to that mindset of continuous growth and exploration.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to model and be published in five magazines. I served as president of DECA, where I not only represented business students but also had the privilege of appearing on the news. My career has evolved as I’ve pursued new passions: I transitioned from healthcare to finance, and now, I work as a social media marketer, helping local businesses grow and thrive.
Throughout this journey I’ve also shared my passion in the power of your voice. I’ve advocated for movements that mean a lot to me and in return have met amazing individuals along the way. Fighting for women’s rights, DACA dreamers, police brutality amongst the police force that not only affects individuals and their families but also this in the field who truly fight to make a difference.
I’ve stood alone many times in these moments and those experiences have fueled me to continue to vocal.
Standing alone in your passions doesn’t mean no one is watching. I’ve had the privilege of sharing words with many individuals who understand my passion and root for me to continue.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Gosh, I was just talking about this the other day.
About 6 years ago I moved back to Utah with $98 of change from a 5 gallon piggy bank, and my food stamps. Life pushed me to start over. It was scary for many reasons. Not knowing what was ahead was thrilling yet devastating because I left behind a life a fought so hard to keep. But life kept blessing me with chances to grow after that.
Financially struggled, I’m talking 3 jobs at once just so my bank account wouldn’t overdraft and even then I found myself paying these ridiculous fees with money I didn’t have.
It felt like I was fighting an un-beatable battle. I felt stuck. Until I wasn’t. I was able to land a job that allowed me a little financial freedom. Not much but just enough to not have to pay the bank for being poor.
The most recent experience that paused me for a while was losing my sister, Gabriela Mejias, unexpectedly almost 2 years ago. It’ll be two years on December 23rd.
She was my biggest supporter. Any photoshoot I did, she wanted to see the photos before anyone else. Any makeup tutorial I did she would watch first and give me feedback. When I finally was able to afford college, she uplifted me. When I began to compete in Business and Marketing competitions, she was there.
Always commenting, always rooting for me.
Moving forward in life without her has been the most challenging things I’ve ever experienced. It’s when I feel overwhelmingly happy about life that I think of her. She should be here.
There’s a sense of pride and instant gratification you feel knowing you’re inspiring your younger siblings. Providing what I missed out on. I proud to be a big sister.
At the end of the day what I do with this life is in honor of her and my family.
Of course there are many other obstacles Ive encountered, but these are the most significant ones that have challenged me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Everything. I do everything.
Wish I was joking.
You need a makeup artist? I got you. You need someone to help you with your small business marketing? No problem.
You have no idea how to strategize your social content. Let’s plan.
But what I really specialize in is storytelling content creation for myself and others who have small businesses/ those who are just starting out.
I’m an everything girl.
I constantly joke that the everything bagel seasoning is a representation of who I am and what I want to live by.
There was a nurse, Sarah, I worked with who would always have her everything bagel seasoning with her. She had a garden, always had the most delicious lunches. Anytime I would ask “what’s for lunch” she’d say “oh just some basil from my garden, tomatoes from my garden…” etc. And without missing a beat, she had her everything bagel seasoning.
Seems so silly but that seasoning and her, inspired me to hold space for who I truly am rather than holding myself back.
How can I be everything I want in this life?
The thing is, you can be everything that you want.
I want to learn and do SO much and I’ve learned to let go of judgement others give me when I talk about my goals.
Listen, if a one career life is for you, I’m rooting for you. As for me, Ima turn up.
Life is incredibly short and I don’t want to stick to just one career one hobby or one lifestyle.
My heart and spirit yearn for more than just one type of way of living.
For over 10 years, I have done makeup and hair as a freelance makeup artist which I still do all across Utah!
I travel north I travel south no distances is too far for me because I love being a part of momentous events in other peoples lives.
What I most known for is believing in myself. I mean that in the most non BS way. I execute my aspirations regardless of the circumstances.
One of the biggest moments that I’m proud of is becoming a freelance model, that resulted in being published in 5 magazines, and the cover of one!
What sets me apart from others is I while I do what I do for myself and my family I also want to help small businesses.
I feel like life and society expects us to make our minds up at 18 and pick a career and stick to that for the rest of our lives.
You’re joking right? At 18 you’re lucky if you know how taxes and insurance work and you want ME to pick a career?
I’ve gone from working as a waitress, marketing for a gym, being a CNA, to working 3 jobs, then becoming a medical assistant, to going into the finance world.
Which brings me to now becoming a social media marketer.
I’m most proud of my ambition to go after all the things that my heart desires. I joke about Letting my ADHD guide my life.
I used to feel shame for wanting to do everything and not really knowing what I wanted for my life as far as my career went but now I stand in power, knowing that my ADHD is my super power. I’m able to learn and do everything that I want and then some.
Ive come to accept my journey is everything.
So if you’re someone who aspires to do everything, let my experience inspire you to stop thinking you can’t and just do. It’s fun!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is inspiring people to go after their dreams, no matter how big or how small they are. No words can describe how it feels when someone reaches out to me and says because of you, I felt inspired to do XYZ.
When in reality, all I do is just live my life and showcase that on social media.
That’s the thing about inspiration and making an impact, you don’t get to pick who is inspired by you but you do get to pick what you put out into the world and what I put into the world is what matters to me.
I want to make a positive impact in this life that we are given.
If that means inspiring others to go after their dreams, then that makes me feel fulfilled in my life.
It just takes ONE person to make a difference.
There are people in my life who unknowingly at the time inspired me to keep going and growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/classyjitterbug?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=ba640ba7-095e-459e-b9bb-71fee4ab7de2
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classyjitterbug/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15ehRNvtJ9/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@classyjitterbug
