Meet Yanelis Funez

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

Hi Yanelis, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my business was a simple thought process sparked by an idea and a dream. I knew I wanted to work with creative artists from different spaces in diverse capacities such as creative directing, videography, photography, interviewing, and even management. My adoration for creativity and a desire to make a tangible impact helped make my moves strategic by identifying my passions and leveraging my experiences. I realized my love for marketing and helping others amplify their voices. Paired with the experiences I’ve gained up until this point, it gave me the confidence and practical skills needed to start my business. I conducted thorough research to understand the market needs, identifying gaps that I could fill with my unique skill set and perspective. I envisioned a business that would partner with organizations, artists, and creatives, helping them navigate the media and entertainment industry effectively. I focused on creating a brand that was not just about services but also about education, inspiration, and relatability, ensuring that my business would stand out and resonate with clients. I developed a detailed business plan, outlining my goals, strategies, and the steps needed to achieve them. Execution of this plan was key to turning my vision into reality. Finally, I embraced the importance of adaptability and continuous learning, knowing that the business landscape is ever-evolving and that growth comes from staying informed and flexible. This thought process helped me lay a strong foundation for my business and guided me through the initial phases of entrepreneurship.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m proud of my ability to adapt and pivot while remaining grounded in an industry that can easily cause you to lose focus. Understanding what’s important and canceling out the noise has felt like gaining a new superpower. I’m currently excited about the business rebrand that will soon take place later this year and moving into 2025. Even though I’ve only officially been in business for a year, I can say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without truly believing in myself – in my ability as a businesswoman, creative, and visionary. It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth having ever is, right? Challenges are only problems that require a solution. Being solution and result-oriented has helped me get through the difficult times of uncertainty. Often we’re taught to come up with the steps first and then think of the end goal. I’ve challenged myself and I challenge others to identify their goalpost and work backward from there. Don’t work towards your future, work from your future, because it’s already yours. A lesson that I’ve had to learn and continue to practice is to not get fixated on certain things, especially if they feel like they are not working out at the moment. What is meant to be will always be and as a creative, one of the worst feelings is walking into a room not feeling ready. There is no need to rush your creative process by creating unrealistic timelines and expectations of how something should play out. Take the lesson and apply it to the next project so that you can become better. A takeaway that I want the world to know about my brand and story is that you can feel like you have it all, realize it’s never what you wanted, go after something, and feel like you’ve lost it only to start over with the experiences you’ve gained to create the life you’ve always dreamed of. It’s important, in any space, to have the gift of discernment to determine who is worth your time and energy. Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and admire your work is crucial as surrounding yourself with the opposite can cause you to forget who you are and the power you possess. People who feel like they are running out of time because they’ve only failed once can cause you to think the same. While misery loves company, so does joy and I can assure you the people who are doing well and know it for themselves will not shy away from lending any support that is within their capability and reach. There is room for everyone!

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?
Well, I am a transplant and still consider myself new to Atlanta so don’t judge my choices okay? Regardless, I love hosting my friends, even if it means we’re discovering something new together but I always ask if there’s anything they have in mind or consider a must-see before they leave the A. I would take them to one of the farmer’s markets throughout the city to grab some things just in case we decide to have days when we eat in. Some of my recent favorites are City Farmers Market Atlanta, Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar, Sevananda, and Your Dekalb Farmers Market. Whether they want to do a quick stretch or a full workout, I would recommend places like Stone Mountain and Piedmont Park, or we could visit The Battery ATL on a Monday for Yoga & Mimosas or just yoga if they prefer. I am a big foodie even though I’m a pescatarian, so I would probably recommend places that I know would have nonmeat options like Petit Chou, Omni Coffee & Eggs, and Breakfast at Barney’s for breakfast or brunch. For lunch and dinner, Tastee Spoon, E Ramen +, and Little Lagos are food spots I love. Some weekend hangout spots would be the Black Wall Street to shop and support local vendors or if they’re into sports, take them to see a Hawks or a Falcons game. Later in the evening hit the nightlife such as Ace, Revel, Elleven45 Lounge, or Vanity. No matter what my friend’s interests are, I want them to leave having had a well-rounded experience in the A.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I named everyone who has helped me thus far in my creative journey and is still present today, I would give you a laundry list! Big or small, I appreciate the support I’ve received and I don’t take the love and encouragement that is given to me lightly. I can’t thank my family and close friends enough for their efforts in keeping me aligned with my goals – their words of encouragement which have turned into my daily affirmations are things that I reflect on as I continue into entrepreneurship. Additionally, I would like to thank my creative brother Detty K for reintroducing me to the entertainment industry. After our business trip to Atlanta shortly after coming back from shooting his music video in the Dominican Republic, I knew this was a space I wanted to be a part of. He never hesitated to answer my questions or put me in a position to win as long as I was willing to go out and get it. In the beginning, before launching my business, it was difficult for me to exercise my confidence. However, Detty would reassure me that I was on the right path, to continue having faith because, with dreams this big, they don’t just build and happen overnight. He would know, of course! I would also like to take the time to thank my mentor EstWst.Photos by Tor Derricotte. Months after I met him at Vanity in Atlanta, I told him I wanted him to be my mentor after he posted he was looking for an assistant. He took me under his wing and further introduced me to the industry from a different lens. Tor once told me I remind him of when he first started – the dedication, motivation, drive, and excitement for it all. From studio sessions that lasted until 3 am and long hour sets, to continuous editing that causes you to revisit the same part in a video, it’s always a pleasure when I get to work with him. My support team’s effort, love, and encouragement have helped catapult my career to the next level, and I appreciate them for that.

Website: www.medianovaco.com

Instagram: @yanelisf__ & @medianovaco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanelis-funez/

Youtube: @YanelisFunez & @medianovaco