Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesli Barraza.
Hi Lesli, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a small town in Chihuahua, Mexico. My parents were a huge inspiration when it comes to resilience, they always found a way, no matter what. I, on the other hand, lived more like a free little bird, just curious, relaxed, always exploring and trying new things just to enjoy the experience. I did several projects, creating communities, organizing things, but the one thing that kept repeating itself was finding creative solutions to challenges. I loved bringing ideas to life. Looking back, those passions would eventually become the foundation of my career.
In 2016, my family and I relocated to the United States, where we had to adapt to a new language, culture, and way of life. Although moving wasn’t something I had planned, it became one of the experiences that shaped who I am today. I remember the fear of not being able to express myself the way I wanted, because I didn’t speak English at all. There were moments when I questioned myself, wondering if people would take me seriously, or if I would ever feel confident enough to pursue my dreams.
But I watched my parents keep trying, and like I said, their resilience was a huge inspiration to me. So I kept going, kept getting out of my comfort zone. And In high school, I entered BizFest, a business competition, and I did it in Spanish, because at that point I spoke zero English. I had amazing mentors and teachers who helped translate for me, and at the end of the program, in the pitch competition, I won, last place, but I won. Those three days were brutal. My head hurt from hearing nothing but English all day, and there were moments I was crying, ready to quit. But I told myself: what’s the worst that can happen? It’s just a few days. By the end, I felt so proud of myself. I had proven to myself that I was capable of doing hard things, even when they scared me.
After that, I started feeling more confident, and I realized confidence doesn’t come before you start, it comes because you start. I also learned that people don’t remember whether your English is perfect; they remember your character, your work ethic, and the value you bring.
As my confidence grew, so did my passion for helping people, and eventually, businesses. I noticed that many entrepreneurs had incredible products and services but struggled to tell their story online. I wanted to help them be seen. That passion led me to found RevUp Media, a digital marketing agency where I help businesses with their digital marketing needs.
Today, I have the privilege of working with entrepreneurs across different industries, teaching marketing workshops, and building communities for entrepreneurs. Over the past three years, I’ve volunteered with several organizations, helping them create, connect, and serve communities through meaningful experiences.
Looking back, I never imagined that the girl who once worried about speaking English would one day be leading an agency, running workshops, speaking at business events, building marketing strategies for companies, sitting in rooms full of adults, and helping other entrepreneurs believe in themselves.
If there’s one message I hope people take from my story, it’s this: don’t let fear convince you that you’re not ready. You don’t need perfect English, perfect timing, or a perfect plan to build something meaningful. Your story, your culture, and your perspective are strengths, not obstacles. There will always be challenges, but if you’re willing to learn, keep showing up, and believe in your own potential, opportunities will follow.
I hope my journey reminds whoever needs to hear it that their dreams are just as valid, their voice deserves to be heard, and that building a successful business is possible, even when the path looks different than you ever imagined.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel very fortunate because, overall, my journey has been a positive one. Of course, it hasn’t been perfect, but I also don’t feel like I’ve faced major setbacks. Most of my challenges have simply been opportunities to learn and grow.
Some of the biggest ones have been:
1. The language barrier – This has been, and honestly still is, one of my biggest challenges. There are still moments when I know exactly what I want to say in Spanish but struggle to express it the same way in English. I’ve learned not to let that stop me from speaking up or pursuing opportunities.
2. Being a young woman in a male-dominated industry. – One of my first niches was helping construction companies with their marketing. Walking into meetings where I was often the youngest person and sometimes the only woman in the room could be intimidating. There were moments when I felt small, but thankfully God gave me the confidence to focus on the value I could bring instead of the doubts I felt.
3. Learning to value my own work. – Like many entrepreneurs, I had to learn that saying yes to everything isn’t always the answer. Understanding my worth, setting boundaries, and charging based on the value I provide has been one of the biggest lessons of my career.
4. Starting from scratch. – Building a business while adapting to a new country, a new culture, and a new language meant that nothing came easy. Every opportunity, every client, and every relationship had to be earned, and that process taught me resilience and perseverance.
So when I look back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one pushed me to become stronger, more confident, and more intentional, not only as a business owner, but as a person.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
RevUp Media is a bilingual digital marketing agency based in Kansas City, and I built it specifically to serve local businesses. I handle everything from social media management and content creation to website design, graphic design, and paid ads on Meta and Google. Basically, if a business needs to show up online and actually connect with people, that’s what I do.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just bilingual, I’m bicultural. I understand the Latino business owner because I am one. A lot of my clients have incredible products and services, but they’ve never had someone explain marketing to them in a way that actually makes sense, in their language, without the corporate tone. I bridge that gap. I also offer a full range of services under one roof, so clients don’t have to juggle five different freelancers for their website, their ads, and their content.
Another thing that makes me different is that I actually care about the community, and for that reason I volunteer with different organizations where I can help. If I had all the money in the world, I’d be helping young people, especially immigrants with big dreams and also small businesses looking to connect and grow. Since I don’t, I give back through volunteer work instead. That’s just how I do it.
What I’m most proud of, brand wise, is that we actually care. Not just about the businesses we work with, but about the people and story behind them. That’s really what RevUp Media comes down to Help. Guide. Connect. Grow.
I want readers to know what we stand for:
1. Freedom – We believe in the freedom to create, express yourself, and build a business that supports the life you want to live.
2. Community – We believe in the power of connection, collaboration, and shared growth that strengthens businesses and people.
3. Integrity – We choose honesty, transparency, and accountability over shortcuts, hype, or empty promises.
4. Creativity – Every business has a unique story and deserves thoughtful solutions that reflect its true essence.
5. Growth – We believe growth goes beyond numbers, through learning, stronger relationships, and new opportunities.
So If your business shares these same values and you need help with digital marketing, we’d love to connect with them.
How do you think about luck?
Honestly, I don’t think luck has done much for me on its own, but I do think it’s shown up at the right moments, disguised as things I didn’t ask for. Moving to the United States wasn’t something I planned or wanted at the time, and it felt like the opposite of luck. But looking back, it turned into one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wouldn’t be who I am, or have the business I have, without that “unlucky” moment.
I also think I’ve been lucky with the people who’ve crossed my path. Teachers who helped me translate when I couldn’t speak a word of English, mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself, collaborators and clients who trusted me early on when I was just starting out. That kind of luck, being surrounded by the right people at the right time, has mattered a lot. My family has also been a huge part of that. Their support gave me a foundation to keep going even in the hardest moments. And honestly, I also believe God has had a hand in it, placing the right people and opportunities in front of me at the moments I needed them most.
But I also believe luck needs you to show up for it. I could have stayed scared and never entered that first business competition. I could have never started RevUp Media out of fear of failing. Luck opened a few doors, but I had to be the one to walk through them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.revupmediamarketing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revupmediamarketing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revupmediamarketing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesli-barraza/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/leslicristal
