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 event photography. We built our agency to help local businesses attract more customers and build trust online by becoming an extension of their team.

The idea started because I noticed a gap in access to quality marketing services. Many small businesses simply don't have the budget for an in-house marketing team, making it difficult to maintain a consistent online presence while also running the day-to-day operations of their business. We meet business owners where they are and recommend the services that make the most sense for their goals and stage of growth.

As a bilingual agency, we're able to serve clients in both English and Spanish, making communication feel natural from the very first conversation. For many business owners, being able to work in the language they're most comfortable with builds trust and makes the creative process more collaborative. By taking marketing off their plate, business owners have more time to focus on running their business while we focus on helping them grow.

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

Believe in yourself and don't let fear make your decisions for you. Last year, I was unexpectedly let go from my full-time corporate job, and it completely shook my confidence. For a while, I questioned whether I was capable of building a business on my own.

Eventually, I realized I had two choices: look for another corporate job or finally give Hermoso Creations the opportunity I had always dreamed of. With the encouragement of my husband, I chose to bet on myself.

Less than a year later, our agency has grown more than I ever imagined. Looking back, I realized the talent and passion were always there. The only thing standing in my way was fear. My advice is to take the first step, even if you don't feel completely ready. You'll never have every answer when you start, but you'll learn and grow with every opportunity you take.

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

Nothing fulfills me more than seeing our clients' businesses get busier because of the work we're doing together. 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 vision is for Hermoso Creations to become the trusted marketing partner for businesses across DFW while opening doors for the next generation of local creatives. I want to build a business where local companies grow with confidence and aspiring creatives gain the real-world experience, mentorship, and paid opportunities they need to build meaningful careers.

Growing up, I had to work incredibly hard to put myself through college at UTD, balancing full-time work just to pay for tuition. Because I had to work to support myself, I couldn't take on the unpaid creative internships that so many employers expected to see on a résumé. When I graduated, I struggled to break into marketing because I was told I lacked experience, even though I had the skills and the determination to succeed.

That experience shaped the vision I have for Hermoso Creations today. I never want another young creative to face that same closed door. As our agency grows, I hope to partner with local high schools and colleges to create paid internships, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on experience for students, especially those from underserved communities who may not have the privilege of working for free. At the same time, our clients benefit from passionate, creative talent that understands the communities they serve. To me, that's what success looks like—helping local businesses grow while creating opportunities for the next generation.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

The biggest misconception is that marketing is an optional luxury you invest in only after your business is established or you have a large budget. Many small business owners put it on the back burner. In reality, marketing is an essential part of growing a business. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if people don't know you exist, they can't become your customers. Marketing isn't separate from your business. It's one of the ways people discover you, build trust in your brand, and ultimately decide to work with you.

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

Early on, my biggest battle was imposter syndrome. For a long time, I struggled to feel confident in my work and hesitated to charge what my time and skills were truly worth. Looking back, that self-doubt probably held Hermoso Creations back more than anything else.

My mindset began to change when I saw the difference our work was making for our clients. Watching local businesses become busier, hearing that customers found them through our content, and seeing the confidence they gained reminded me of the value we were providing. That's when I stopped letting self-doubt define my business and started trusting the impact we were creating.

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 bring that same authenticity into Hermoso Creations by helping businesses feel confident telling their own stories instead of trying to fit into a generic marketing mold.

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, My Silver Linings, 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 on LinkedIn.