Creating Cultural spaces and artistic communications development through trusted guidance is a high demand for Hispanic representation in creative industries.
Meet Amy Campos with the mission of her brand to seek and provide a collaborative space and process with the artistic community from Honduras to Chicago, Illinois. The mission focuses on strengthening local and cultural identity and citizenship.
Amy Campos is the CEO of Boga House and Auge Boga. She is a Business Liaison of Imagen Consultants in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated in Industrial Administration with a Certification in Fashion and Luxury Business from Bocconi University in Milan. And Music Business from Berklee College.
At 24, Amy was invited and selected as a TEDx speaker. She also was selected as a workshop leader at the closing ceremony of YLAI 2017 in Washington, DC. Speaking on the topic "Empowerment of women."
Amy was featured in Forbes Magazine in 2021 as one of the 30 promises in Business. Amy Campos is the creator of the Largest fashion festival in Honduras and has been presenting fashion designers in Chicago since 2018.
Amy was the winner of two awards grants from the State Department to create entrepreneurship programs like EXPO-YLAI and Colectivo Auge. She was the recipient of two impact grants from YLAI in 2021.
Creating a Fashion Seminar for all of Latin America and a Fashion Congress in September 2021. She is a member of the YLAI Advisory Board since 2020. And the host of the first YLAI Podcast since October 2021.
In the middle of this Summer 2022, I had the pleasure to Interview Amy Campos regarding her career, accomplishments, and what advice she would give to today's Latina and the future Latina.
OML: How did you become interested in your field?
Amy: I think I have always been interested in fashion, I would browse through magazines with my grandmother and since we did not have fancy stores in Honduras or could afford them, we would get the designs from the magazine and get them made from local seamstresses and the entire process of finding the fabric and getting instructions through the seamstress was always fascinating to me, but as a career, it felt unrealistic until I started seeing tv shows like The Hills where girls like L.C. who I could relate more would appear and then a couple of designers starting popping up in Honduras and then we kinda grew together.
OML: How did you begin your career?
Amy: I had a classmate who was getting ready to participate in Honduras Fashion Week and I knew I had to get to the event, and even though I could only get 1 ticket to see 3 shows it sort of clicked as it being something more realistic to me. First I started thinking about how so few people knew these events were going on in my city and then how there weren´t any platforms showcasing the story and work of these people so that´s how I first decided to create a website where you could find the designers and their work. I had zero knowledge of how to make a website, take pictures, write articles, etc. but they kind off started coming somewhat intuitively to me as I was putting the pieces together, and in about 2 months I had my website running, everything self-financed. I was doing hair, make-up, and styling and a friend was taking pictures.
OLM: What do you like most about your work?
Amy: At first it was creating this whole new platform where fashion designers could get known but now I love the sense of realization you get when working for the empowerment of creative entrepreneurs and economic relief in Honduras through the work of fashion. I work teaching fashion entrepreneurship classes to artisans and designers from all over Honduras and from many different backgrounds, and some have told me that this is the first time they would have a certificate or any type of professional formation and that is so fulfilling. I also do events for them and Honduras is not exempt from being exclusionary in the fashion industry so my events are always inclusive first and that platform has become very important for Honduras.
OLM: What kinds of accomplishments tend to be valued and rewarded in your field?
Amy: Fashion is a very competitive industry and usually being able to present internationally or open a store or collaboration with a major brand is the most valued.
OLM: How does your position fit within the organization/career field/industry?
Amy: For me it was hard to find a position as I was running a magazine, producing events, and later on doing an education program for entrepreneurs so I feel I just putting on different hats.
OLM: Why do you feel you are the most suited for this role?
Amy: Now I can say I have the experience required to take on this role, I think with a 12-year trajectory I have been able to learn about the industry, design process, event production, and also the business side of the job. It has been a learning experience and I think the most important thing is to be open to learning and unlearning at the same time and change with the industry.
OLM: What kind of mindset is required for your duties and responsibilities?
Amy: The most important thing is positivity. Many things have felt impossible and most of the time you find roadblocks, people telling you no, and things like that but you have to keep positive that things will turn. Also, with confidence, you have to remind yourself you can get any task done. And the last one is resilience because again, things get tough and there are many ups and downs, so remembering that when things are down they are bound to go up is important.
OLM: What are the areas of opportunity that you foresee in your role?
Amy: The next step is taking the brand internationally so I have been taking my time to learn from others. This next step would be such a great opportunity not only for my company but also for my country.
OLM: How do you stay inspired and motivated in your role?
Amy: It is very easy for me as I manage a Collective of 80+ designers and artisans from Honduras so I keep listening to stories of success from them which lets me know I am doing things right.
OLM: What advice would you give to today's Latina and the future Latina?
Amy: We are constantly being told that we are fire, we are loud and we are emotional and that is for the most part true, but they tell us that negatively when I think it is very positive. We create with passion, fire, with emotions and that makes what we make something durable. Everything we make has that sense of family that is strong and it is actually what makes us succeed, so my advice is to use the fire and embrace the passion.