Bringing Art and Play into Our Businesses with Naomi Fierro Peña

Hi everyone, and welcome to the final episode of the Be A Boss Coaching Podcast Season 3. In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Naomi Fierro Pena. Naomi is the inspiring founder and creator of That Art Party, a business that incorporates art and play for BIPOC adults Naomi is not just an artist, she is a soulful creator, engaging facilitator, and community curator. After a decade of teaching in the Bay Area, she launched that art party, focusing on healing and liberation for communities of color.

During the summer of: 2024

Your support means the world to me. If you want to join us for the next season, visit beabosscoaching.Com and fill out the request form selecting podcast guests.

and a prosperous new year in: 2025

I'm excited to be a part of your support system. If you're interested in working together, I encourage you to head over to BeABossCoaching. com. Send me a form so we can explore what that could look like in that next level of your business. Once again, thank you for all of your support this season.

an eye out for season four in: 2025

Beatriz: Well, thank you so much, Naomi, for coming on to the Be A Boss Coaching Podcast. I am really excited. I've actually been wanting to have you on the podcast for a long time. And thank you so The perfect opportunity presented itself. It was like, the universe was like, here it is.

Let's see your opportunity. And I was like, I jumped on it. I was like, okay, let me reach out to her. So I'm so excited that you're here. Thank you for, for coming on.

Naomi: Of course. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to chat with you.

Beatriz: Me too. Well, can we start with introducing your, yourself, telling us your name and the name of your business and where you're located?

Naomi: Yeah. Hi everyone. My name is Fierro Peña. I use she, her and ella pronouns. Um, I'm founder and CEO of that art party. Arts and play for BIPOC adults. And I'm located in sunny Oakland, California.

Beatriz: Thank you. Thank you so much. I can't wait to go up there. I'm from Southern California, so I'm excited to go up there and hopefully meet in person or go to one of your workshops in person. But I, I've been fortunate enough to experience one of your virtual workshops from that art party, which was super.

It was just so. healing and amazing. And for those listeners who haven't had the pleasure to come across your business, can you tell us what that party, that art party is about and what its mission is?

Naomi: Absolutely. Uh, so that art party hosts creative play dates for BIPOC adults to be able to tap into our inner knowing or our inner child. Really. Um, we're really on a mission to ritualize. art and play as self care, because we know that when we do that, we, one, disrupt grind culture, two, we tap into that inner knowing, and three, we get to harness our innate creative power.

And I just, like, so firmly believe that when BIPOC folks really harness that, we can create our most powerful world. Liberated realities. So humbly, that's what we do.

Beatriz: It is, it is. No, it is truly amazing. I, I can't say enough good things about that art party. I mean, just the, the workshop that I was a part of was so healing for me. I like to say that I'm in the inner Nina healing era for myself. And, um, I mean, this sort of started there was a lot, there's been a lot of healing and transformation that I've been going through with my therapist, my family, my mom, childhood trauma, things like that.

And I love incorporating art into my adult life now. And I think it's because I, I'm on this, this journey where I'm parenting myself, I'm like inner parenting myself a lot, which is what my therapist has sort of done with me and taught me what that looks like for me. , but art is very much part of that process.

And so I'm, I'm really happy that. Organizations like yours and businesses like yours exist because it's nothing I've ever seen before. And it really has, at least for me, it just, even in the small way that I've been in contact with you has really been so powerful, but okay, well, thank you for, for sharing what you do with your business, but I do want to go into a You, you said this quote a while, a little while back ago.

You actually did it on a live with one of my, my very first podcast guest, uh, Carol Umanzor. You were on the born to be seen live with her and you shared this quote that I'm going to give. I would like you for you to share that experience and, and, um, and what that. Illuminated or what feelings brought that what that brought for you because I remember hearing it and I was like I heard it from you right in this in this in that live and I immediately I was taken aback and so You shared this as um, well, would you like to share?

I want you to like share that that quote Do you know which quote I'm talking about? Yes. Okay

Naomi: I do. I do. Um, also shout out to Carol because Carol was one of those people that like really took a chance on me in the very beginning of this business. So, um, yeah, so this is actually something that I share often and I probably shared more so in the beginning of my journey, but I'm always like, I always know I'm reminded of it in the right time.

Um, and so when I was Really kind of like incubating and like dreaming up this business I was paired with an executive coach. Um, also want to shout her out, Dr. Jax Black. She's located, I believe, in Chicago. Um, and in our very first coaching session, she says to me, I want you to take three deepest breaths.

She says, take the deepest breaths you've taken today. And I was like, well, okay, we're already, this is already like, we're already setting the tone. Um,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: and she goes, now, I want you to tell me who would you be if struggle never entered your heart? And That was like the most transformational question that I continued to come back to, um, and, and it was really what guided the vision for that art party. Um, and at first I think I like, I had like this nervous laughter of like, Oh my God, what are you talking about? Like, it's so early. I can't even tap into that.

And she goes, no, she's like, okay, that's cute. But like, actually, I want you to, to answer this, um, and answer it from the head answer from the heart.

Beatriz: Mm

Naomi: Um, and so when I did, the first place I was transported was the dance floor. I grew up a trained dancer and that feeling of like you trans for me, I feel like I transcend time and space when I'm dancing and it feels really powerful in the sense that like I'm dancing on my own but also in parallel to others and I know that like dance can be so healing in the sense that it's just you connected with your body and you're not thinking

Beatriz: Mm hmm.

Naomi: and you get to one, like connect to the present moment.

But for me, it all, it felt very ancestral, the type of dance I was doing as well. Um, and I was like, that space, that energy is joy. That energy is healing. I know that I can bring whatever I have. experienced in the day to the dance floor. And I know that dancing will wash that away in a sense. Um,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: yeah, transform and transmute that into joy.

And That's like the energy that I'm after with that art party. And, you know, I, I understand that it doesn't have to be dance for everyone. And that's why we, we approach different creative mediums through play, because, you know, it doesn't have to be serious. We're not, you know, trying to perfect any particular medium.

We're just trying to play and explore what it feels like to be in the process of, of art making.

Beatriz: Yeah, yeah, I love it so much. I just remember hearing that and it was transformative for me because it was a question that I had never thought about, but I think it touched on a chord because It, it really, really taps into that playful, like, creative, what, what do you want to do for joy? You know? And I think that I, if, if, if I was presented with that question, I would immediately want to like, think about joy.

And and I think that's what I thought about and, and I, I was like, wow, this as children For me, like, my unique experience is that, you know, I grew up with, like, suppressing a lot of, like, childhood trauma, right? And then, so, when you grow up into an adult, you're learning what, like, how to be an adult, but also not ever really being a child, if that makes sense.

Naomi: Yes,

Beatriz: And, yeah, so, it's just, it's a lot to navigate. When you're healing, and I think, but when you tap into play and joy and what that would look like, I, I feel so, like, liberated. It just, it's very liberating to just like be this new person, like cultivate the inner Niña that should have been and like me parenting, inner, inner parenting myself.

Um, so that's why I really love talking about healing and art and joy and play as adults because It is so needed. It is such a concept that I don't think many talk about, think about. So I'm really happy that your business and the mission of your business is that strictly is to bring in joy to adults in such a healing way.

So can you tell me, so how do you bring play into your business? Because I feel like you're the, The feeling behind your business is very playful, right? It's art, creativity, play. Um, but when you think about the operations, for example, of your business, like finance, whatever, I'm wondering, how do you continue to, to incorporate play into your own journey as a business owner?

Naomi: Yeah, that's a great question. And I think it's a question that I come back to like on a daily basis.

Beatriz: Hmm.

Naomi: I have been saying this a lot recently that running the business takes away from the joy of being in the business. Um, and you know, I think there are things that I do, or I, I like strategically plan, right?

Like I'm taking time off in the next month to just like create. for the sake of creating and like not document it and not share it online. You know what I mean? Like, and just spend hours doing that. Um, but yeah, when I think about the operations, um, and I mean, little things come to mind. Like I put on tiny desk concerts in the background and I, you know what I mean?

Beatriz: Yeah. Yeah.

Naomi: out, like I'm reviewing my QuickBooks statements, you know, like in that way. Or like, for example, I just shared this other day online that like most of my zoom calls or meetings that happen virtually, like I have a plushie like in my lap, you know,

Beatriz: Yeah. Oh, I love that. Yeah. I love it.

Naomi: know, and so like little things that I think for me, my inner critic, which was really.

actual critics growing up will say like, Oh my God, that's so childish. Or why would you need that? Just grow up Naomi. Um, and you know, do, do your books like everybody else. Um, and then I remember that actually I started this business so that I wouldn't have to do things like everybody else.

Beatriz: hmm. Mm hmm. Yeah.

Naomi: Yeah, so I would say that.

And then the other piece too is like calling in community. So outside of just like making the daily operations enjoyable for me through like color and texture and really sensory experiences. Like, When I'm struggling with something like my books, like I'll call in, other small business owners who often look like me, um, or other small business owners of color.

And like, we'll go to a cafe and work it out together, you know? Um, and that's play. That's joy. That helps You know, kind of work through whatever it is I'm working through in the moment. Um, silence any doubts.

Beatriz: I'm so curious because sometimes I feel like in my, my experience as a business owner, I get to in my head about, well, people enjoy this workshop or this webinar, or is this, is this product or like, I don't know this new course going to really help anyone. I'm wondering how you. Do you think about, do you have those thoughts?

And if so, how do you bring yourself back to the core and the mission of everything that you're doing?

Naomi: Yeah. Yeah. Definitely have those thoughts. I think I will talk up a big game and, and, and that's a part of my like strategy, right? Like I like myself up. It's the whole like Issa Rae in the mirror. Like you got this, do this. You're about to go, you know what I mean? Um, and Yeah, so definitely a lot of that and but yes, of course moments of You know, I think uncertainty or moments of questioning, um, and how I get through that, I think two things.

I always come back to, um, what a friend of mine told me when I was first launching this business, she told me messy action is better than inaction. I consistently come back to that and say that's okay if I put this out into the world and there's a mistake in it or there it's okay if I put it out into the world and like didn't it didn't like meet people where they were, or it wasn't the thing in that moment. Like that's okay. The point is that I did it.

And if I don't continue to iterate, if I don't continue to play, if I don't continue to get messy in that way, then that's like the opposite of the whole point of the business. You know,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: doing it. Um, and so, yeah, I just, I'm like, I have to treat myself the way that I would treat my best friend or somebody that I love.

Like if they put something out there and there was a mistake, I'd be like, it's okay, girl. Like you could do it again. We'll just pick back up and do it again. Nobody saw it. You know what I mean? Like that's the hype that I would give. my girlfriends. And so that's the hype I need to give myself. Um, and so I always come back to that.

I hear it a lot when people are talking to like first time moms, uh, who, you know, like us have been healing their own inner child and have talked about like, Oh, the way that I'm treating my daughter is like, you know, everything I wanted when I was a child, blah, blah, blah. And then the question becomes, why don't you treat yourself?

The way that you're treating your, you know, your loved one. And so

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: I come back to that and then I, you know, I come back to simple things. Like my wife is a really great high person. My dad is a great high person. My dad will sit there and be like, don't worry, Nia. It is Chingona. And I knew that you were going to do it.

You know what I mean? Like,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: Like he is that high person in real life, my wife, the same way. Um, so like knowing who to go to when you feel yourself faltering or just like a little bit uneasy,

Beatriz: Mm

Naomi: the most important thing is like actually listening to that intuition and being like, Oh, this is coming up for me.

Acknowledge it and then figure out what are the tools and resources around you help that.

Beatriz: Yeah. I love it. I think one of the ways that I've been able to name that hype woman for myself is like, my, like I said earlier, my inner, my um, gentle person. inner parent. Like, I'm gently inner parenting my, my, the little, the little one, the little niña who, if she didn't have that struggle, right, would be out there doing desmadre and being okay with it, right?

And so, like that, I think finding something to name your, those uncertainties, those self doubts always helps. Um, And to find that community around you that, that's doing that work or that's like, not ashamed of, of talking about what it feels to, to heal or to feel liberated in, in your body as an adult, so.

I, I love that so much. And I, sometimes we forget, right? Sometimes we forget to do that. We're like, I forget often just, I have all these self doubts and then I retreat, but we need that constant reminder to like, Hey, we're out here. We can play, we can experiment and it's okay.

Naomi: Mm hmm. Absolutely.

Beatriz: Thank you so much for that. Okay. So. How do you think I've talked a lot about healing and incorporating playing into your business and How do you think we can bring intentional healing play? creativity even if that's not You know, maybe like, for example, I'm a, I'm a coach, right? I'm a strategy. I bring a lot of strategy clarity, but how do you think or have envisioned we can bring intentional healing and play into our business, um, even if we might feel like that's not possible, even though I know it is, but yeah.

Naomi: Yeah, because that's human, right? Like, and we live in a white supremacist capitalist society that will continue to feed you messages that it's not possible. So, of course, like, yes, there are definitely a million and one ways, I think, to continue to bring playfulness into your workspace, wherever That is, I think one thing I like to come back to is just the sense, again, the sensory experience and the environment in which you're in.

And you know, maybe it's not your work from home office. Maybe you're a teacher or maybe you go into an office building, what have you, right? But for me, it's bringing color into that space. Like I know that I made a conscious choice to write in Like colorful marker in all of my, you know, notes. And so those are really simple ways of like, or maybe I added a pillow to my desk area or, you know, I brought in this really fun plant with like a creative planter, whatever it is, right.

Like bringing in. Sensory experiences. And what I mean by that is like things that will activate all five of your senses. Um, because that brings you back to your body. And two, it allows you to like, indulge, indulge your inner Nina, indulge like your whims and your, instead of suppressing them. And. that's like the gateway, you know, to a lot more, um, ability and kind of like fluidness around or fluidity around, um, like tapping into your needs and your desires.

And so it starts with small things like that, I would say, um, and small, small like breaks in your day. I think of Not eating your lunch at your desk, right? Like go outside and like, don't look at your phone, you know, go outside and like really, and it's summer right now. So like taking in the full vibrancy of like all of the colors that nature will bring out like five, 10 minutes, you know, or maybe it's doing like some yoga poses or stretches at your desk, or maybe it's doodling.

for 5, 10, 15 minutes, you know, and you don't have to be an artist, right? Like to, to doodle. So what I love about those pauses in your day is that they allow you, to disrupt this grind culture that we're constantly being fed and forced into. Um, Yeah. Just, just a moment to really get into your body and to stop the thinking mind from doing the thing that it will do, you know? Um, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Beatriz: the virtual workshop that you had and it was in the middle of the day during like that break that I think most people would have like lunch. I think it was around 12. It was just perfect timing because I remember like working all of the morning and then having this intentional time to just doodle.

And I, I think everyone should try it out because it is so, it is just such a pleasurable way to Get into a, a, a space and mindset where you are not thinking about anything, but just you and how you wanna express yourself and what colors you wanna use and what, like what do you wanna cut and what do you want you, what do you wanna paste?

What do you wanna, and so it, it's a, like you said, it is a very, it brings you into the, into your body. Acutely, like you're like just Be in that sense and not Be in that grind like I haven't taken lunch You know, and I think I remember I remember doodling and I was like enjoying my snack at the same time.

And so it's just like a nice way to listen to your body, right? Listen to what it needs and to just like give it pleasure in that sense. So I, I love those workshops. I just signed up for the one on August 4th. So so excited.

Naomi: Oh good. I'm so excited to see you there.

Beatriz: Yes, I am so excited to be there. So thank you for having those play dates. Um, okay, so I do want to go into the growth of that art party because it has really grown and there's some new milestones that you've reached. So can you tell us and in However you, you'd like to, where you'd like to start, how that art party grew from an idea to where it is now, and what do you think facilitated the most growth for you?

Naomi: No, just kidding. No, I didn't mean to do that, but I'm like, wow. Wow, whatever. They've been like a beautiful question, I think. Um, yeah. How it started as an idea and then where it is now. Um, and then, yeah, you might have to remind me of the second part of the question. Um, yeah. So I think how it started as an idea.

I was working at a school. I had been a teacher for about a decade, uh, here in the Bay Area, and I remember looking around and realizing that most, and I'll be really specific, most of the women of color in that space, right? Who in by and large were holding up The operations, the vision, right, of, of this institution, how unhappy they were.

Beatriz: Hmm

Naomi: And I remember, and, and how much they would grind and work and skip lunch or not go for a walk and get sick. And I was like, couldn't be me. Nope. This cannot, I don't want it. I don't want it. I don't want it. Um, because I also grew up with examples of women who Gave and gave and gave and gave to everybody else at the expense of their own health um and happiness And I knew From little, right?

I never wanted to be that woman. And And so when I got to my grown age and was like, wow, I'm very close to becoming that person that I said I didn't want to become. I am like, no, something has got to change and like, it has to be radical. Like, I just knew that. Um, I'm also an Aquarius, so I'm not like, scared of like quick changes or big changes or like,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: you know, visioning creatively in that way.

So I was excited by that. Um, and because of that, I knew I was like, but I know that I don't know what I don't know. And so I, Had some friends that had applied to this fellowship program for educators of color. And that program was really like pretty radical, I think too, in one, just being a program for people of color in the education system, really pouring into us and our professional development.

aduated from their program in: 2022

And so, like I said, I had partnered with that, um, executive coach. Then I took about six months off very intentionally. Um, because I was like, I can't say that what we need is like creative rest and

Beatriz: hmm.

Naomi: creative play if I'm not doing that. And if I don't actively experience that habit. And so I took those six months off.

Uh, and then I launched in: 2023

Beatriz: Right.

Naomi: I think there's that. Um, we. You know, we recently won a pitch competition, um, and received a really big investment in the business. And like, that has been also kind of transformational in this journey. Um, and, and really like validating. In the sense that like, yeah, there are definitely, I remember days where like I had like less than 5 in this bank account.

Okay. And I was like, I don't know if I should be doing this. I need to go back to like, you know, working at a school and blah, blah, blah. Um, but also just like coming back to the knowing and the like core belief that like, are people need this

Beatriz: Mm hmm.

Naomi: and need this space because I get that so many times they're like, wow. I have never heard of anything like this. I

Beatriz: hmm.

Naomi: maybe didn't know what it was, but then when it came, I knew that I needed it. And I'm so happy that you're here. Um, and so, yeah, I mean, yeah, that's, that's kind of like a long winded way of like kind of sharing a little bit of the journey, but, um, what has been most impactful in the journey?

Was that?

. Yeah. And now you have over: 2000

And I'm wondering, I mean, And I really do want to go into that experience of your pitch competition and, uh, but what do you think facilitated the most growth in that time frame?

Naomi: Yeah.

Beatriz: Like what do you think? Yeah. Yeah.

Naomi: facilitated the most growth? Um,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: like, and, and then I, that's like a really big kind of nebulous answer. But what I mean to say is like collaborating with people. Other BIPOC artists, other BIPOC small businesses. Um, I think there's two kind of pivotal moments. Again, you know, I have to shout out, um, all the folks that have helped along this journey.

Um, I will shout out Queer in Oakland, Montana, uh, she had like this really huge following. I reached out to her randomly and I was like, Hey, I see that you're like working with people that I know. Would you be interested in like possibly collaborating? And she's like, of course. And I remember that was the first day.

Like I, My reach really expanded to like what then became one of my core like clients. Um, you know, queer people of color in the Bay. And like, I remember that was a really big break. Working with Carol was a really big break. Um, And then applying to like betting on myself and applying. And I think that's across me, like reaching out to folks and being like, Hey, will you take this chance on me?

Um, and then also putting myself out there to like apply to programs, because I also knew that like, I didn't know business in today's day and age. I didn't know business in the sense of like, I'm running it on my own. Um, I mean, I grew up in my grandmother's alteration shop where, you know, I remember cash register and like, know, like translated for clients and in that sense, I knew business, but like, what did business mean today? So I had applied to these programs. Um, yeah, that then really accelerated my business acumen, which was really important. But I think, yeah, so like connecting and collaborating with people has been really important. And on the flip of that, being discerning about who I collaborate with. Not everybody that wants to work with you is for you.

Like not. And so having to really be intentional about like where I pop up, which businesses I patronize, who I invite into the space. Um, because all of that is really intentional. And so, yeah, I think being really aware of like who I'm collaborating with and then also knowing that like, If I am not betting on myself, how can I expect other people to do that?

Beatriz: Right. Yeah. So true. I'm glad that your collaborations with different organizations and other folks who had similar audiences really expanded. the audience for you. So I'm glad that that was a way because I remember you coming into different groups and just seeing you also in different like cafecito con jefas and with Carol.

And so it really there's all these different connections and that you were making. So I'm really glad that that it grew to that point. So I really want to go into the pit. Congratulations. On your recent pitch win, I I know that when you win any sort of investment, right, it's so rare, especially for women of color, especially for, for businesses of color.

And it is something like less than 2 percent receive investments from, for, for businesses of color, um, with all the money that is available. So can you tell me about your recent pitch win? How did that start? What did that journey start? And, yeah, we'll start there and then go into what, what do you recommend if people would like to go that route in the investment route?

Naomi: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Um, so how did it start again? So going back to surge, the fellowship program I was a part of. So a lot of their alumni will then go on to become, right, like they get promoted in their current position, or a lot of us go into entrepreneurship. Um, and so they had a follow up Kind of program.

It's a six month program that you have to apply for again, uh,

Beatriz: hmm.

Naomi: for entrepreneurs and founders right of color. And so, and you had to have been right, an alum of the first program. So it's pretty competitive. Um, and I honestly was like, I don't know if it's for me, I don't know if I can do it, um, until, you know, I got a little.

virtual like tap on the shoulder, like, Hey, you should apply to this Naomi.

Beatriz: Yeah. Yeah.

in that program from January,: 2024

Beatriz: hmm. Yeah. Yeah.

Naomi: I will apply to all the things and be in all the things. Um, Right with discernment, of course, but yeah, I'm I'm always like, I know I learn best with other people. So I was also part of this other program called Optima, uh, business cooperative, and they are a national as well.

Um, and so I had been a part of that business program too. And Yeah, I was, I think, really honing in on my, like, business plan, what my value proposition is, right, like, all, all of the things that you learn about, um, as a business owner. Um, and I will say, leading up to the pitch, I have never been so nervous in my life.

And I can say that, like, I'm dramatic about a lot of things, and I exaggerate about a lot of things, but like, this is not one of them, like, I, my stomach hurt, like, that's how nervous I was, uh, I don't, my poor wife, I must, she must have heard that pitch, it was a five minute pitch, a million times before the actual day, um, because I was just like, This has to be, I have to know that I did everything I could and I gave it everything I could in order for me to feel really proud of this moment.

And like, I invested my time in the way that I wanted to. Uh, yeah, I was like, there were 10 other founders and from all across the country, I was right in the middle of the lineup. And so I was like, I don't know if that's good or bad, but here we are.

Beatriz: Mm hmm.

Naomi: I just got to go up there and like, do me the way I know how.

And yeah, I think I, I gave my pitch. I think at the very end I had a moment of like, Ooh, I was really nervous. And I think I said that on the mic and I was like, Oh, right. Um, here we are, you know, it was a very human moment. Um,

Beatriz: Mm.

Naomi: had. Answered questions from the panel of judges and then got to listen to the rest of the pitches.

And then after that, they announced. The winners. And so I was awarded $20,000, to invest in, in the business. And I had presented like what I would spend that on and all the things. And I just remember, oh, it was like really beautiful about that experience. Is that, and you see this in the photos too. All of the other founders in my cohort were like elated.

just happy

Beatriz: hmm. Mm

Naomi: see me win. Um, and, and like, that's something that I know is not true for many other competitions, you know,

Beatriz: hmm. Yeah.

Naomi: but we want to see each other win. And like I said, it was a group of all founders of color, um, black and Latino folks and of the winners, I was the only Latina. Um, and so I'm really proud of that.

And I will continue to like, Be really proud of that. Um,

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: yeah, so

Beatriz: Wow. That's incredible. That's just incredible. I want to say because first there's like the the picking of like who gets to pitch, right? Like that you getting through that is such a big accomplishment. So getting to that point, I think it's such a big deal. Um, and so doing the pitching and out of 10.

Folks like that's also that's a lot of people Yeah, so I I that's incredible they clearly I don't know have did you record the the pitch or yeah, okay Yeah, i'm sure You watched that and you know, I don't know if have you

Naomi: funny enough. I have not watched it. Yeah.

Beatriz: wow yeah, because I feel like Are you interested or thinking about going after other?

investments and competitions like that

Naomi: Yeah, a hundred percent. Um, I will say that I am very tired. Like

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: I realized this now, um, that like the first running a business is. Like you're doing all the, all the things wearing all the hats. Um, so it's tiring in that way, but also like the amount of energy that I put into preparing for this, right.

It's six months and beyond really. Um, and that was exhausting. And also life was not easy in that time. Like I had very particular personal challenges as well in that, in that timeframe. So my body is also like, you need to take a, you need to rest. And so, yeah, I haven't, I haven't watched the, uh, video yet.

Beatriz: Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure, like, take your time watching it, you know, because I'm sure that it gives you a lot of, a lot of valuable information about, You know, what you shared, the information you shared, and I think also it goes into not just what your business provides, but then also how you deliver the information.

I think that can really play a role as well. Um, because. It is very nerve wracking to go up there and want to win so bad, right? And then all the time and preparation that went into it. So, I'm sure that it was a lot. Is there anything that you can tell us or any advice for anybody looking to Apply also for a similar pitch competition or for investments in general.

What are some tips you can provide if anyone would like to go that route?

Naomi: Yeah. What are some tips? What are, what are my tips? What are my tips? I think one, Practice, practice, practice, practice. Um, but that means like in front of people.

Beatriz: Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Naomi: It's, it's one thing to run it over in your head. It's another thing to run it over out loud. It's another thing to run it and record yourself and watch it. It's another thing to do it with many different people. And so that's something that I did. Um, and again, and also shout out to like the Latina business community that I've cultivated through.

We all grow, um, et cetera. Um, who really helped give me feedback in like, even in the final hours, I was like, I know I need to run it just like a million times. Um, so practice and then practice in front of people, you know?

Beatriz: Yeah.

Naomi: Um, I will say you have to know your business inside and out. I mean, you're running your business.

So I think you do, but I think like it's, You have to know it and believe that, you know, everything there is to know about your business. Um, and I was definitely nervous. I was like, Oh my gosh, what if these like big wig investors asked me some wild question about my numbers and I don't know them. And, uh, um, But I was like, no, Naomi, you know, you run this business every single day.

You have to know that, you know, what you're talking about. Um, and so yeah, just getting really familiar with like all of the parts of your business. Um, and if you don't feel familiar, then like get familiar with them, you know? Um, so I'd say that, and I feel, I think lastly, I think. Go into it knowing that you're not just pitching to the judges, you're pitching to everyone in the room. Um, and yeah, like my pitch is out there in the world and like other people get to see it and watch it and you just never know where that's going to land and who it's going to impact in a positive way.

So just knowing, yeah, that you're not just pitching to whoever is judging you, you know, officially in that moment, but also, yeah, every other person in the room can take something away or be interested or ask or become intrigued about working with you. Um, so I also think that's That's important. Oh, okay.

Last thing, last thing, last thing. I was only going to give three, but now I have one. Now I have one. Okay. It's the last one. Be yourself. Like you have to be yourself. And I realized I would like, I was trying to become this version of like a, a business person. That I thought I needed to be. And

Beatriz: Mm hmm. Yeah.

Naomi: then I was like, no, wear the orange suit, wear your hair with all the colors that are in it and your hoops.

And if you want to throw on Spanglish, you can do that. You can tell the story. Because that's also what people really like to get to know.

Beatriz: I love that. I love that so much. Yeah, because I think pitching there's this aura that you have to like wear the business suit and you know, have be professional and you're like, yeah, and I can bring my colorful self the way that I like to express myself and like, I love that you You Spanglish in your so do you use Spanglish in your pitch?

Oh, that is so cool. I love it That's amazing Yeah And and like most people wouldn't write cuz it's like no it has to be like you have to know everything one language, but That's amazing. Well, I I I wouldn't think to think about the rest of the room, too, right, because I think most people think the judges or whoever is making the call is the people who are matter the most, but really, it's the room.

And I think that is what essentially brings the judges in or like, you know, and so, Thinking about who's not just was in the room, but like then who is this for who's your community? um so That that's incredible. So thank you for those tips Did I do I am curious did they ask you crazy like number questions?

Yeah,

Naomi: person asked, I mean, I, look, I, some of the questions I was like, um, it's in my business plan. That's what I wanted to say, but I didn't say that. Like, so what is your, um, Like what exactly is your business model? And I was like, I already said it, but I guess it wasn't clear. Um, you know, and so I, I had to break down things that I had already shared, right? about the very like kind of brass tacks of what I charge, what my, I've been asked like what my profit and loss statement is like, you know, things like that.

Beatriz: Mmm.

Naomi: I got asked about my client retention rate. Um, but whatever you put on your slides, people will ask you about.

Beatriz: Mmm. Yeah. That's, yeah, that's good to know. Um, have you ever seen Shark Tank? Was it anything like that at all? Kind of? I don't know, because I've always, I like to see those, those competitions just to see what questions they ask, but.

Naomi: yes and no. Um, I will say that like Other founders got, I think more kind of cutthroat questions. Like I, I personally did not and I'm like, okay, so that didn't happen. Um, but I also think it's like in what I prepared and why I didn't get those specific questions. Um, so I think a little bit, yes. And I think the other piece too, is that often like in the, I was working angel investors.

Um, so, you know, I won't have to pay this back. Um, I wasn't trading for like a specific, like, um, equity in my business.

Beatriz: Mm hmm.

Naomi: is what Shark Tank

Beatriz: Yeah.

Yeah. They trade for equity.

Naomi: Exactly. And so I didn't have that particular challenge in this competition. And I think again, back to like discernment, like, would I apply to that type of competition?

I don't know.

Beatriz: Mm hmm.

Naomi: So yeah.

Beatriz: Yeah, I think it's great to see the different types of investments and different types of pitches that you can make because Yeah, would you want to trade 15 20 percent of your business to receive? I don't know 50 75k, you know depending on what you need and what may be transformational for your business, but Yes, and then I I think that goes back to what you said about knowing your business Like the numbers and operating and what do you need?

You know what your business needs So that's that's good to know well, I want to thank you Naomi for sharing everything about that art party about your experience with the growth of your business and the pitch competition I'm so happy that you received this recent investment and I'm excited to see the growth that will come from this.

Naomi: Thank you. Thank you. I'm definitely very excited to see that myself. And I'm just like, really honored and humbled to have spent this You know, this experience with you and to be a guest on your podcast. So thank you.

Beatriz: Thank you. Before we wrap up, where can people find you? How can people work with you? And what's the best way to get in touch with you?

Naomi: Absolutely. So on socials at that art party, uh, website is the same, ww.art party.com. Um, and I'm pretty accessible in that way. Again, I work out of the Bay Area, but I also do a lot of virtual events for, you know, corporate retreats, um, and whatnot. So yeah, I'd love to see you at the next Creative play date.

Beatriz: Yes, thank you so much. I signed up for the one coming up, so I'm so excited for that one. Definitely sign up and there's a lot of different, I'm looking forward to a lot of the virtual ones because if I, I wish I was in the bay, but um, if you ever come down to the LA South, South, Southern California area, would love to do something here as well.

Naomi: Yeah, I was like, I'm trying to speak that into existence. I got a lot of folks in, in SoCal that are like, come through. So I might, I actually, um, might be down there in the next month. So I'll hit you up.

Beatriz: Yes, so exciting. Definitely hit me up. I'm here. So thank you so much, Naomi. go up to the show notes. Also, to check out all the links for Naomi and stay in touch with her.