Meet Andrea | Business Development + Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk has never felt like recklessness, it’s felt like alignment.
In 2015, I traveled to Rio de Janeiro alone. By that time I had this familiar feeling in my stomach, one that I tried to capture with a word I created. Alove. It was meant to describe this feeling of uncertainty in your gut but unclear if it’s a calling or a caution.
I wasn’t familiar with the term anxiety at the time and I am glad because it allowed this feeling to be anything, to be limitless.

I’ve taken risks not because I was certain of the outcome. I felt alove and I followed the feeling because I was certain of myself, or of what needed to be expressed. Whether it was starting a nonprofit Baseball Libre, stepping into the creative unknown as an actress and filmmaker, or transitioning into private lending and entrepreneurship, each leap has carried the weight of uncertainty, but also the promise of growth, impact, and authenticity.

I think about risk as a kind of faith. Not blind faith, but a conscious choice to bet on what I believe in, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve risked stability to pursue what feels true. I’ve risked approval to speak boldly. And I’ve risked perfection to keep moving forward creatively and professionally.

Taking risks has shaped every chapter of my life. It’s how I built a career that weaves art, community, business, and advocacy. It’s how I keep evolving. Not every risk has “paid off” in a traditional sense, but each one has revealed something essential about the world, about people, and about myself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is special to me because it’s mine. It’s the one place where I can be fully myself, no filter, no approval needed.

When I’m acting, I’m invited into collaboration. It’s creative and challenging, and I love that it requires me to step into a shared world, to bring my energy to something that’s built as a team. It asks me to connect and trust.

But when I paint, it’s just me and my soul. There’s no outside input, no notes, just pure expression. When the piece is done, it’s done. People can interpret it, but they can’t shape it. That’s freeing.

Writing sits somewhere in between. It starts off as mine, deeply personal – but I love that it can evolve into something collaborative when it’s time to bring the words to life. I welcome feedback when I know the story is ready to meet the world.

What connects all my work- across every medium- is love. I want to be a light for love. For humanity. I want to tell stories that remind people of the tenderness that exists between us, between men and women, between strangers, across cultures. I’m interested in the things we all feel, the truths that connect us.

My artistic style is often surreal and abstract, because that’s how my brain and my spirit naturally move. I tend to see the world in layers and symbols, in feelings and shapes that don’t always follow a straight line.

Getting to where I am professionally hasn’t been easy. Like many creatives and entrepreneurs, I’ve had to move through seasons of doubt, rejection, reinvention, and risk. But I’ve always led with passion and purpose, and that’s helped me build a life that feels aligned.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust my inner voice. That intuition, that sense of Alove has guided me more than anything. I’ve also learned the power of community, mentorship, and letting myself be seen, not just for what I do, but for who I am. I mean its a work in progress, but I know my intention.

I create because I love people. I build things because I believe in connection. And I share my art because I believe it can remind us we’re not alone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends come to visit me in Atlanta, I love to tailor the itinerary to them, to what we enjoy doing together, what kind of energy we want, and how we can make the most of the time. Atlanta has so many layers, so it’s easy to mix and match depending on the mood. Here’s what a general itinerary might look like:

Day 1: We’d kick off with breakfast tacos made by me (a personal tradition), followed by a walk along the BeltLine to get a feel for the city. We’d stop at Spiller Park Coffee in Ponce, and later that night, we’d catch a movie at AMC, because I’m an AMC A-Lister, and so are most of my friends!

Day 2: We’d start the day with breakfast at Ria’s Bluebird, then wander around Downtown Atlanta, maybe making a spontaneous stop at the Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta depending on the mood. Later in the afternoon, we’d pack a little picnic and head to Piedmont Park to watch the sunset.

Day 3: Dinner would be at Yeppa & Co. I love it there because the energy is always buzzing, exciting, and alive. After dinner, we’d head over to Palo Santo to dance a little. It’s one of those spots that just feels good with cool people around and if we still want to boogie, we would go to Johnny’s Hideaway.

Atlanta is special because you can have a chill, soul-nourishing day or a high-energy, art-meets-culture adventure, all in the same weekend. And for me, hosting friends is just another way to share how much I love this city. 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I’m deeply grateful for the people who have trusted me since I was little lady, the ones who saw something in me as a young person and allowed me to be fully myself. That early trust, that freedom to express, helped me believe in my own voice. It gave me permission to keep showing up as I am, even when the road got messy or uncertain.

In the business world, I have to thank Cliff Oxford, who has been a steady, grounding presence in my life. He’s been there through moments of doubt, always offering direction and challenge in a way that pushes me forward. His mentorship has been invaluable.

And then there’s Daisy Pareja, a fellow Latina and someone who feels like a mirror and a guide at the same time. Her insight, her openness, her ability to truly see me and let me see her… that’s rare. Through her, I’ve learned what real strength looks like, what humility looks like, and what it means to be both an artist and a businesswoman at once. That has meant the world to me.

To all of them and to everyone who’s poured into me with support, encouragement, or even just belief, I share every step of this journey with you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreinhaa07