FOUNDERS JOURNEY:
The birth of The B.A.D.
(Business & Arts Development)
“My journey to founding The B.A.D. began with the realization (and heartfelt understanding) that art and the skills developed through its practice drive positive change in every area of our lives as individuals, communities, and economies.”
the err of public perception
I was raised to believe that an arts career was nothing more than an emotional outlet or (at most) a passion-driven endeavor with limited financial potential. As a result, for 14 years, I chose to prioritize a growing and successful career in corporate retail over my passion for dance. Throughout that process, I accumulated roles in product development, sourcing, brand management, marketing, and sales and built multi-million dollar businesses for renowned brands like Vera Wang, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer leveraging partnerships with retail giants like Macy’s, HomeGoods, and Amazon. That success allowed me to fervently feed an equally successful passion and lifestyle in dance that included performing on iconic stages including the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden and took me across the globe, to international stages in Canada, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Turkey.
As a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer with a global footprint, I have had the opportunity to:Perform at iconic venues including the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden as well as Internationally in Canada, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Turkey.Build expertise in various dance styles including Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Latin Fusion, Hustle, and Ballet Folklorico.
Skills on stage & in the boardroom
Despite my success across both fields, in the office, I often felt pressured to choose between my corporate path and my passion for dance, as if appreciating both or excelling in both was an impossible achievement. Managers questioned my commitment, asking if I would be happier as a dancer or if I considered myself a Product Developer who danced or a Dancer who developed products. Meanwhile, I watched my dance peers struggle to earn a living wage, highlighting the stark reality that many artists face. These experiences underscored the prevalent misconception that artistic pursuits and corporate success are mutually exclusive.
A pivotal moment came when a director suggested that my sales success was merely due to likeability. This sparked a profound realization - while my retail experience honed skills in data analysis, strategy, and project management, it was the skills I developed through art (creativity, empathy, resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building) that I leveraged most in all aspects of my life. These skills fostered genuine human connections that went beyond price considerations, inspiring trust, loyalty, and collaboration from diverse stakeholders including factories, cross-functional teams, brand representatives, and buyers. More importantly, these skills allowed me to circumvent typical barriers in both fields (crossing into different product categories and dance styles), in ways that traditional business training rarely could and often directly opposed. This insight challenged the perceived divide between artistic and business skills and the longstanding paradox between art’s positive social impact and artists’ constant struggle to make ends meet.
During my 14 year career in the retail industry, I:Orchestrated sales and marketing strategies that resulted in multi-million dollar businesses for renowned brands like Vera Wang, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer.
Developed successful partnerships with major retailers including Macy's, HomeGoods, and Amazon.Led cross-functional teams in the development of high-performing products, assortments, and seasonal merchandising strategies.
the power of art & potential of artists
My role as Creative Director for Melange Productions Inc., was a turning point that further illuminated the transformative power of art as a catalyst for social change and its profound impact on my life. Orchestrating collaborative art projects that addressed social injustices and seamlessly integrating them into our fashion shows not only allowed artists to step up as powerful voices for marginalized communities but demonstrated their ability to transform initial concepts into elaborate, creative, and compelling performances.
I witnessed their ability to foster understanding, inspire, organize, and lead diverse groups through creativity and with minimal oversight (a rare occurrence in the corporate sector). These experiences left me contemplating the potential impact artists could have as mobilizers and leaders if given the right support and opportunities.
Zuniga, Edgar Jr., “This ‘arts movement’ served looks and broke barriers at N.Y. Fashion Week,” NBC News, 2019, September 8. ROLE: Creative Director & Executive Producer Spearheaded the creative vision and orchestrated the execution of this music video, collaborating closely with Oscar-winning film director Bill Guttentag to bring it to life.Directed the bi-coastal filming (over the course of 2 days) overseeing more than 50 artists.Upon completion, it was released in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign!
Building Community: Lessons from GLC
As Co-founder of the Gay Latino Collective (GLC) I learned valuable lessons in community building and discovered the power of shared identity and experience as fundamental points of connection. I learned that unifying people under similar (though not always identical) goals could generate remarkable support and momentum. However, this journey also revealed that intentionality without accountability often invited excusability. The real breakthrough came with understanding and embracing compassion - both for ourselves and for each other. Actively implementing a compassionate approach opened doors for honest communication and vulnerability, which in turn inspired trust and fostered genuine collaboration. These elements, I found, were far more active and powerful forms of support than mere good intentions. The lessons from GLC profoundly shaped my understanding of how to build and nurture communities, showing me that when people feel truly seen, heard, and supported, they're capable of creating extraordinary change together.
identifying the challenges
While not always easy and certainly not relaxing, my parallel careers have always been a fulfilling aspect of my life. Navigating and learning from the various leadership roles I’ve held, has allowed me to fuel a passion for empowering others and ultimately is what helped me identify the following critical obstacles hindering artists from reaching their full potential.
Economic Instability: Many artists struggle with inconsistent income, forcing them to frequently take on multiple jobs outside of their artistic practice which has far-reaching implications for their success.
Entrepreneurial Mindset Barriers: Many artists don’t view their work as a marketable resource and few see themselves as entrepreneurs and leaders.
Educational Gaps: Traditional arts education lacks comprehensive entrepreneurial training and often excludes career paths with social impact.
Cultural and Social Norms: Prevailing misconceptions that artistic skills are not transferable or valuable for career success often discourage the pursuit of art as a legitimate profession
With further exploration, I uncovered a stark reality and fundamental difference between the art world and other fields of work:
Lack of Support Structures: Artists often miss out on professional development, formalized mentorship programs, and support systems common in other fields.
In the corporate sphere, I benefited from structured onboarding, professional development programs, employee resource groups, and clear career pathways. The Melange community included and encouraged individuals to provide mentorship, training sessions, and a support network that helped individual growth and opportunity. While GLC operates as a social organization, a cornerstone of its programming is leadership development and community support. As I looked at my artist colleagues, I realized that many of these structures and the cultural standards and practices often associated with them (probationary periods, learning curves, funding for continued education, leadership development training, Employee Resource Groups, DEI programming, or peer mentorship, to name a few) were often absent in their world. The reality, however, is that in many cases these structures, norms, and customs are actually essential elements for our individual development, mental and emotional capacity, ability, protection, and success. Not having them doesn’t just limit artists’ ability to succeed, it risks their financial stability and most certainly prevents them from reaching their full potential as leaders and catalysts for positive social change.
Limited time and energy for artistic pursuits.
Increased stress and burnout.
Reduced opportunities for networking and professional development.
Difficulty in building a consistent body of work or maintaining a strong artistic presence.
The birth of the B.A.D.
Inspired by this revelation, I made a conscious decision to bridge the gap between my two worlds. I founded The B.A.D. (Business & Arts Development) to operate as a support structure, to empower artists with the tools, knowledge, and guidance to navigate their entrepreneurial journeys with confidence- equipped with the strategic, organizational, and analytical skills and project management experience that served me so well. By transforming aspiring creatives into thriving “artistpreneurs”, I hope to redefine the perception of an arts career and demonstrate that artistry and prosperity can in fact be synonymous.
join us and support our cause
We are on a mission to redefine what it means to be an artist in society. At The B.A.D., we're not just supporting artists; we're nurturing the next generation of creative, compassionate, business AND community-minded leaders who will shape our world for the better.