I Used to Hide My Age… Out of The Fear I’d Lose Business

“How’s your little business going?” they ask. They say 'little' because I’m 24.

Because many people in my community still see me as little Ria from down the block.

Maybe it's because I’ve still got big cheeks and a baby-face.

But luckily for me, I grew up watching YouTube videos and saw other young entrepreneurial women grow businesses that are now EXTREMELY successful at every age, and from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.

Creator like @sorelleamore @jameygannon and @alexandrafasulo inspire me greatly!

I used to think that I needed to hide my age in order to be seen as legitimate in the design industry. I used to wear more makeup and dress like an older woman simply to not get that sideways glance at the beginning of a meeting.

But f*ck that.

Instead of hiding and pretending that I’m older than I am, I choose to be loud about my age because I want to model for other young designers and entrepreneurs that so many of the ‘age restrictions’ we perceive in the professional playing field are often self-imposed.

Thinking you need to have a degree or be from a certain family or have access to a certain network only corners you into the conclusion that you ‘can’t’.

You can. I’m proof. Keep going.

Don’t let anybody's judgments stop you from doing what you know you’re capable of.

Work with people who see your worth and your potential.

For more motivational content make sure to follow me if you aren’t already and let me know in the comments below if you too are defying by societal expectations of what you're capable of.