So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

It’s wonderful to connect with you! My name is Laura Martinez. I am originally from Mexico, but I’ve known Dallas as my home since I was five years old. I met my husband, Albert Hermoso, back in high school; we’ve been married for eight years now, and our little family includes our beloved dog. Professionally, I graduated from UTD with a degree in marketing, and today, Albert and I run our agency, Hermoso Creations, as a team.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

What I love most about Dallas is how local business owners genuinely support each other. Through my work with Hermoso Creations, I spend a lot of time at local pop-ups and markets, and it's incredible to see how supportive the vendor community is. People aren't just out here trying to win for themselves; they truly root for one another and want to see their fellow small businesses succeed.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Hermoso Creations is a creative marketing agency specializing in social media management, content creation, and intentional branding. We built our agency to bridge the gap between local small businesses and the modern digital landscape by acting as a true extension of their team.

The idea started because I noticed a gap in access to quality marketing services. High-level strategy is often outside the budget for a small business, making it tough to maintain a consistent online presence while managing day-to-day operations. We bridge that gap by tailoring our creative services to meet business owners exactly where they are.

As a bilingual agency, we also bridge a vital cultural gap for the Hispanic community. We help Latino-owned businesses professionalize their digital presence so they can confidently compete in the current market. By taking the heavy lifting of marketing off their plates, we give them the opportunity to finally get seen.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

You have to believe in yourself 100% and stop holding yourself back. Last year, I was unexpectedly let go from my full-time corporate job. It tore down my confidence in a way I didn't think possible. But I realized I had two choices: look for another corporate job, or finally give my own business a real, 100% chance.

With the encouragement of my husband, I chose my business. Less than a year later, Hermoso Creations has grown exponentially. The talent and skill were always there—I was just the one holding the brakes out of fear. Take it one day at a time, take the risk on yourself, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

Nothing fulfills me more than seeing a tangible difference in our clients' daily turnout. We work with a local DFW food truck, and seeing the long lines at their events and watching their bookings increase because people discovered them on social media is everything to us. Hearing a client say, "People are showing up because they saw us through your content"—that is the ultimate validation.

Where do you see your company in the future?

My ultimate vision is for Hermoso Creations to become the go-to marketing agency for small businesses across DFW, while simultaneously acting as a thriving pipeline for the next generation of local creatives. I want to build a self-sustaining ecosystem where local businesses and young creatives grow side-by-side.

Growing up, I had to fight incredibly hard to put myself through college at UTD, balancing full-time work just to pay for my tuition. Because I had to work to survive, I couldn't take on the unpaid creative internships that build a traditional resume. When I graduated, I struggled immensely to find a job in marketing due to a "lack of experience."

I never want another young creative to experience that closed door. By scaling Hermoso Creations as the trusted agency for DFW small businesses, we can partner with local high schools and colleges to build paid opportunities and mentorship programs—specifically for immigrants and students from underserved or low-income communities. They will get the real-world, hands-on experience I wish I had, while our local small business clients get access to fresh, passionate talent who deeply understand their community. It’s an ecosystem where everyone lifts each other up.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

The biggest misconception is that marketing is an optional luxury you only invest in once you have a massive budget. Many small businesses put it on the back burner. In reality, marketing is an essential part of your daily operations. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if no one knows you exist, you can't grow. Marketing is the engine that drives people to your doors.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

Early on, my biggest battle was with imposter syndrome. For a long time, I struggled to be confident in my work and hesitated when it came to charging what my time and skills were actually worth. That self-doubt held Hermoso Creations back from where it could have been today.

I had to completely shift my mindset. I dealt with it by focusing strictly on the real-world impact we were having on our clients. Once I saw the data and realized our work was changing livelihoods, I stopped letting my own hesitation dictate my business value.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, I was obsessed with Avril Lavigne. Coming from a traditional Mexican household, it wasn’t always easy to express my own individuality or visual style. In my family, I was considered the "rebellious" one because I wanted to dye my hair, express myself visually, and carve out my own path. Avril's unapologetic authenticity completely resonated with me as a young girl. Today, I am channeling that exact same energy to shape Hermoso Creations—using that unapologetic authenticity to disrupt the marketing industry and show small businesses that they don't have to fit into a generic mold to be successful.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

A massive shoutout to my husband, Albert, who has been my biggest cheerleader through every single pivot. And, of course, a huge shoutout to our incredible clients—including The Mexicans Food Truck, Link & Lid, Martinez Lawn Service, and all the local DFW brands who trust us every day to tell their stories.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

You can connect with Hermoso Creations on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn at @HermosoCreations, or visit our website at hermosocreations.com. You can also connect with me personally on LinkedIn.