Above all else, the main reason I love participating in events are the people I meet and the connections that are forged as a result.

When I started this business almost 2 years ago I decided to take back control of my happiness and well-being and left my dreaded 9-5 job in May 2015, it didn't take me long to realize that if you're consistent, authentically & unapologetically you, you'll attract other opportunities, human beings and environments that are of the same frequency and on similar paths.

That's just simple, universal law.

My point is, I met a large number of people at the Loiza Festival that moved me in such a profound way.

Kayla & her aunt Ideen (above) were like a wave of light that made their way over to my table. Anyone who knows me on a personal level knows of my passion for children and young people. She's a young artist eager to learn more about the painting process & her aunt being a fellow entrepreneur brought her over to me and needless to say, I was completely enthralled and inspired by them both.

Johnny & Athena, Owners of Brooklyn Coquito & I.

I met a couple I've been following on Instagram for over a year now. Athena and Johnny are both actors & entrepreneurs selling their quintessential Puerto Rican limbers and turned out to be even more beautiful and positive in person as they come across on social media, which is always refreshing.

Lena del Sol & Milteri Tucker of Bombazo Dance Co.

Another woman shared that she met me at a previous event and was very moved when she saw one of my photographs was of her home in Naguabo, while another person told me her father used to make paintings on wood that are very similar to mine. She expressed her nostalgia, as he's now lost his sight and can no longer paint.

One of my loyal customers & Instagram followers, Gia & I

This weekend was yet again, another crystal clear reminder of how important it is to pursue whatever fire there is inside of you that won't go away, regardless of what's going on externally - if it remains constant, especially over a long span of time you HAVE to pursue it and more importantly SHARE it with the world. There's a reason it's there and rarely does it have anything to do with "us" (the individual) and everything to do with serving others (the collective).