Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Quesada.
Hi Celeste, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a first-generation immigrant born and raised in Austin, Texas. I came from incredibly humble beginnings with very young parents always trying to make ends meet. Even though we didn’t have much, I came from a family that deeply believed in giving back to the community. As we traveled back and forth to Mexico and Guatemala and across the United States, I grew up acutely aware of social injustice and racism. At the same time, I also was exposed to immense beauty and creativity bursting from all corners of life. My home was and always is filled with music, film, books, artwork and delicious homemade food.
Growing from this foundation, I’ve cultivated a 24+ year career being a Producer and Creative Director focusing on promoting the finest talent that Texas has to offer. I’ve worked with all kinds of clients including legendary Austin musicians, filmmakers and fashionistas of all genres, designers and numerous non-profit clients including Austin Film Society, American Gateways, Fusebox Festival, El Buen Samaritano, Forklift Danceworks, Austin Chronicle, Creative Action, I Live Here, I Give Here, and the Austin Music Awards.
Back in 2014, I decided to incorporate real estate into my career portfolio. I knew Austin was rapidly growing and our community was facing serious gentrification issues. I decided to become a realtor and help my creative community learn about buying and selling property. Since then, I’ve helped dozens of artists, musicians, educators and entrepreneurs make smart money moves for themselves.
Even though this was a big jump from my creative production beginning, I’ve found the world of real estate extremely important and helps me understand the fabric of our community on a deeper, more meaningful level. I am a real estate agent with Blairfield Realty based in Austin, Texas and use my real estate powers only for good.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I keep a card in my desk that reads, “I know I’ve truly grown into a strong, powerful woman because I can literally do anything while crying.” I giggle every time I read it because there’s always a bit of truth in humor.
Yes, the struggle is real and life is not always a smooth road. Anyone who tells you differently isn’t being honest or is asleep at the wheel. Life is about struggles, growth and learning and I personally wouldn’t have it any other way.
My husband is Adrian Quesada, a grammy-winning producer and musician and founded the band Black Pumas. We have two children that were raised seeing us pursue our creative dreams and goals. It certainly wasn’t always easy.
I distinctly remember when we had our first baby and my husband was delivering pizzas at night to make ends meet. He would pick up food to be delivered and someone in the back kitchen would recognize him and say, didn’t you just perform with Prince? TRUE STORY, y’all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m extremely passionate about Service Leadership and use my work to manifest an alchemy of social change and social transformation. I strongly believe the most important gift and most valuable commodity we have on earth is TIME. Once it is gone, it’s gone. One does not need to wait to make a difference in one’s life, someone else’s life or contribute to your community.
I am adamant about raising our children to volunteer, be thankful for the gifts they’ve been bestowed and do their part to make the world a better place. And the best way to teach these lessons is to model them with action. They are constantly seeing us going to volunteer or raise money for the causes and missions that we believe in.
Currently, I sit on the Board of Directors of I Live Here, I Give Here and serve as the chair of its Marketing and Communications Advisory Council. Recently during “Amplify Austin”, Austin’s biggest giving day that occurs in March, we were a part of a team that raised $12 million for over 750 non-profits. Thank goodness for our musician friends being some of my favorite philanthropists.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I absolutely love audiobooks with amazing narrators reading to me through my Airpods. I read/listen to books from all over the world ranging from fiction to memoirs. When we were in lock-down with the pandemic, I still felt like I could travel the world with international stories and thoughtful literature.
I also love podcasts and my favorites range from NPR’s old faithful, FRESH AIR to New York Times, Still Processing.
But perhaps my most favorite resource and recommendation for inspiring learning is subscribing to the Sunday New York Times in print. It is a glorious print publication filled with incredible articles, factoids, delicious recipes, amazing photography and stylish pleasure. It takes me all week to read it and feels like dessert at the end of a long day. I’ve even learned so much by gobbling up the Business Section …which didn’t come naturally until recently.
Contact Info:
- Email: celestequesada@gmail.com
- Website: www.celestequesada.com
- Instagram: @celestequesada
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celeste.quesada
Image Credits
Cecile Fusco Merrick Ales
