Unexpectedly transitioning from the beauty and spa industry to the media and publication world, my businesses April Mae Media and Live from the Southside have brought on such an interesting journey.
The big life change that’s taken about 13 years to get to this point has brought amazing the people and opportunities to my life. One thing that didn’t change, was the wearing of my entrepreneur hat; the grit and drive has also grown.
I have always believed that we connect with people we are meant to connect with. A few months ago I met Mr. Peter Estevez. He was born in Mexico City, Mexico and migrated to the United States at the age of 10. Peter is an entrepreneur and partner in several companies in the energy, gas and oil sector in Mexico.
Peter is a philanthropist and an advocate for recovery and mental health, as well as the writer and author of his upcoming book, “From Lies To Riches”. He is the host of the top-rated podcast, “The Peter O. Estévez Show”. (https://peteroestevez.com)
Mr. Estevez is also one of the founders of Latin Talks. Latin Talks is a series of a series of talks and conversations where local leaders share their answers and solutions to challenges and adversities they once faced.
The first five-city series included Austin, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, and San Antonio. I was honored to be on the San Antonio panel along with other community leaders entrepreneur Eliot Garza, Dr. Ray Altamirano, Artist Giovanna Dizurita, and our emcee for the event, Emmy award-winning journalist Erica Hernandez.
Seeing some of my closest friends, my love, and community support in the audience gave me an overwhelming feeling. What a day it was and I am looking forward to next year.
Before the event, I was interviewed by The Peter Estevez Show. It was pretty cool to be asked some interesting questions and discuss topics we tend to ignore. Here is the interview:
I’m April Monterrosa, the writer, social media influencer, content creator, & photographer behind shinebeautifully.me. My blog, along with my social media channels are my content collection that displays my life as a free-spirited career woman, entrepreneur, and auntie. As a true renaissance woman, my goal is to influence and encourage others (especially the busy professional like myself) to make time for family, fun, adventures, and self-care. My passion for writing as a young girl is what lead me to blogging and self-publishing my first book titled, “Shine Beautifully”.
Born and raised in the Southside of San Antonio, Texas, I am very proud of my Alamo city, the neighborhood I grew up in, and being an ambassador for the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been featured in Good Housekeeping, SAXtreme Magazine, Chicano Life Magazine, a former member of the SeaWorld Wildside Bloggers , a Naturally Lindy and James Avery Artisan Jewelry ambassador and a currently a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association.
In my professional life aside from writing, I have been in the beauty and hospitality industry for over 20 years and worked in some of the most luxurious hotel resort spas in San Antonio, such as JW Marriott, Marriott International & Hyatt; it’s what also influences me to share my experiences and recommendations. Unexpectedly building up my own clientele is what motivated me to start my own spa studio business where I offer skin care and waxing services. Due to all my experience in the beauty industry, I was brought on as a brand ambassador for Naturally Lindy, an aloe vera skin care company in Beverly Hills, California. I am very blessed that I can mesh my passions together and turn them into my full-time career, all while bringing my friends and family along on my ventures. Hope you enjoy all you read, share, subscribe, and shine beautifully! ~April Monterrosa
Want to work with a San Antonio Lifestyle & Travel Blogger? Contact me at: april.monterrosa@gmail.com.
View All Posts