Life & Work with Kazandra Olvera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kazandra Olvera.

Hi Kazandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi!! I’m Kazandra Olvera and I would love to introduce myself as a college dropout success story in the making. As much as I would love to get into that part of my life.. you will have to subscribe to my blog coming out soon to learn more about that story 😉

Let’s see, l could say my story on how I got to where I am started when I was in elementary school. Even though they may not have had the means, my parents put me and my brother into private school.

All my friends would have the newest and more “luxurious” things. We weren’t able to take vacations to Hawaii or ski trips in Colorado. But that was okay. My brother and I still had a great childhood running around outside doing whatever silly game we would come up with.

I saw my parents always working hard to provide me and my brother with the best that was possible. This idea of going above and beyond regardless of my age is what grew my work ethic at an early age tremendously. Everything I did, I wanted to be the best at. I wanted to be able to provide the best for not only myself but for those around me as well.

As I kept surpassing my personal goals, and goals people would have never believed I could achieve, the stronger my drive for the best would grow. My first thought was that I would need money – “Well hey, I want to provide anything I possibly can and want it to be the best for everyone including myself. I want to start my own company that will make me wealthy.” So silly reading it back but hey, it’s true.

I learned more about the luxurious things that interested me so much. Everything that celebrities would be walking around in that I could only dream of owning one day. That is what I wanted to be part of.

Later on, I had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I continue to learn all that I can revolved around mental health so that I am able to share the truth about it. The stigma that surrounds this topic is exactly how I was able to combine my love to provide the best for anyone that I could and end the stigma around mental health.

“Okay cool idea but how exactly are you going to showcase that?”

This is where the creative side in me came out. Growing up through the beginning of social media, Instagram was the most influential platform for years and continues to be one of the top platforms. I’ve been playing around with the idea of my Instagram account and how I wanted to combine both fashion and mental health.

After overcoming so much self-doubt and criticism (for the most part, lol), I think I’m finally ready to take this next step. Alongside curating my Instagram as a Fashion & Mental Health influencer, I’m also releasing a blog this year. Eventually, Youtube and TikTok are other platforms I want to explore a bit more.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d say most of the challenges I’ve had to overcome were all related to my mental health. I didn’t realize going through certain experiences would go on to change me in a way that I would have never realized without therapy.

I’ve been in therapy in total close to a year now. I learned that I had depression and anxiety. These diseases that I have are what cause my irrational thoughts, lack of self-confidence, and boost my self-doubt.

Even though I wanted to present my best self, I never thought my best self was good enough. I didn’t think I could show my true self because what if someone thought that was weird… maybe I would say the wrong thing… ya they’re praising me and giving me compliments but they’re just being nice… all of these thoughts and so many more are what held me back for so long.

They still hold me back even now but are not as strong as they used to. These are the mental challenges that therapy has helped me gradually overcome. After so many years, I’m starting to remember who I really am and what I want to do.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I work at Burberry as a client advisor. This job is an alternative to school for me. Instead of paying thousands of dollars every year on tuition and books just to come out with a piece of paper that doesn’t guarantee any sort of income, I decided to flip it around and get paid to learn. I learn through working and I constantly want to keep evolving and going up in positions. This is how I will learn how to build my own luxury brand one day.

Aside from being an employee, I am building my personal brand of being a content creator. Instagram is my main platform right now and I have been playing with the idea of a blog (coming out in 2022). The platform I want to build is one where just about anyone and everyone can relate. A platform where people can become more vulnerable and realize that they aren’t alone or crazy for thinking a certain way.

I am a mental health and fashion content creator who wants to help break the stigma around the open discussion on mental health. I share perspective on un-sharable topics.

Fashion is something that has always helped me and something I can say that I am truly passionate about. I believe that there can be a bridge between fashion and mental health. That is what sets me apart from other creators who primarily focus on one or the other.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
An open and more respectful world. Ya I know, it sounds like a dream but little by little it can get better. Even if it’s not for years, decades, hell even centuries – I want to be able to say that I was able to be part of making the world more connected.

This world has become so disconnected but then there are times when it does seem like we do understand each other. It’s almost like we are on a never-ending phone call, driving through spotty areas.

I personally have grown up to be this very closed-off person. The only I would open up is if I was asked questions but opening up on my own terms… hahaha no thanks. BUT, that is changing with the help of therapy. I came to realize that in order for us to have better relationships with everyone, it’s so crucial to be open, vulnerable, and show respect to each other. When we don’t have those three things and have a one-set mind, that is when the arguments and fights start.

This is all part of the reason why I have decided to build my platform as a space to share the un-sharable. I want to help break the stigma around true life and mental health. This unimaginable idea of building a more open and respected does seem so far out… but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

Contact Info:

• Email: kazey.olvera@gmail.com
• Website: realshitblog.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kazeyolvera
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazandra-olvera-429237201
• Other: www.pinterest.com/kazeyolvera

Image Credits
kazandra olvera