We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what do you attribute your success to?
My family, my heritage, and self-perseverance. My family has always been there for me, cheering me on in every decision I continue to make. They were the ones who continued to push for what I wanted in life. No matter how small an idea, if that’s what I wanted to try, then I went for it. My heritage is one of the most special parts close to my heart. It’s what connects me to the collective, from the food to the colors to the very sound of Hispanic culture. Plus, loving history and mythology brings wonders to the world of knowledge. My self-perseverance towards myself is to go on an adventure of gaining experience. Where there is weakness is strength.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Back in 2011 I started my business while attending East Early College High School. I joined a business seminar with dad earlier that year and one of the key notes was the importance of naming a business. Well needless to say. I took that to heart the concept of business-naming. I came up with Monica’s Foto Houston. Monica for my name, Foto for the Spanish/Germen translation for photo, and Houston is where I lived. During 2009-2012 I did a few photographs for family and friends. Did the whole newspaper club and art club, along with debate (Houston Urban Debate), and some track n field/cross country. I had always been passionate about photography, so I went to Santa Fe University of Art and Design, Santa Fe, New Mexico for three years and studied photojournalism. There I learned portrait photography and journalism, along with mix media. Such as graphic design, film and studio arts. When I came back to Houston, I did an internship then worked for 2V Television, a small network, as an assistant producer. There my film editing and Spanish translation begin to evolve. While working there I developed my skills with photographing the live set. Then the network had closed, and everyone was left without a job. I felt displayed and did a few jobs to get by. Then my friend Jennifer Watts asked if I could help her with some of her organizations that she was part-taking at the time. One of the organizations was Houston’s Pride Band. I took photo volunteering for a couple of years for some of the events that they hosted. Then I ended up volunteering and took some photos for FotoFest that I knew prior to all of this while in high school in 2009. I would say because of all the volunteering that help me jump start into doing gigs as a professional photographer as Monica’s Foto Houston. From 2015-2022 Monica’s Foto Houston was well established. I was doing everything from portraits to events Statewide. The farthest commission was in upstate New York for a wedding. In 2017 I open my doors to my photo studio. From family portraits and events, I then decided to focus on passport photos. By doing passport photos the international community found me. I ended up specializing in credentials photo prints for same day delivery. Many of my clients came from all over Texas, Mexico and Central America. In 2019 I decided to become a Notary Public. By 2020 I officially created Blackstone Freya notary services. Within that timeframe I had also obtained my father’s company Plaza Wise which primary focused on web design, advertisement, and marketing. During that business venture, I strengthened my graphic design services, which later expanded into apparel and print work for musicians and artists. Around the same time, I also created signage and took on some outdoor labor projects. My businesses have been my motivation to keep going, it was my passion that was ever evolving. By 2021 my family started participating in creating a business together. Change was on the horizon for me as a business owner. Toward the end of the year, my family established two major companies: Texans Affordable Homes and Tribu Builder. One centered on real estate, the other on construction. Together, they grew out of the architectural vision of my father’s company, Mi Casa Plans, whose designs became the foundation for what Texans Affordable Homes would offer, and Tribu Builder would build. It was fantastic, but I already felt the pressure of managing multiple businesses. I wanted to keep my portrait studio going but opening two new businesses was going to be a challenge. In 2022, with a heavy heart I announced that I was going to be closing my photography studio to focus on my family business. I did encourage my clients to stay in touch through social media in the ongoing project I was working on. As of now I am a proud co-owner of my family companies. I am still taking photos ‘real estate photography’, managing the web designs, creating new graphics and videos for the companies and continue to be a Notary Public. I am continuing my education at San Jacinto College in studying for architecture design. My creative journey includes ongoing collaborations with artists Jeniffer Watts and Michael Raphaelito, better known as Tradious, where I contribute graphic design and photography. In addition to these collaborations, I am working on a personal project that brings together my artwork into a collection reflecting my creative journey over the years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love food, and I have several places on my list: Mandola’s Deli (Italian) near Downtown, Sesame House (Vietnamese) in Dickinson, and Pupusería Emanuel (Salvadorian) on Telephone Road. However, if you want something for the morning, you must go to The Original Kolache Shoppe on Telephone Rd. If you love disc golf, I recommend Jack Brooks Park. Then I would say to check out Smither Park for all the neat art montage. Finally, do check out The Strand in Galveston, where you will find La King’s Confectionery!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jesus Barahona, aka my dad. Owner of Mi Casa Plans and business venture co-owner of Tribu Builder Corp. & Texans Affordable Homes LLC. My dad is the one who showed me the business aspect. He taught me admiration for owning a business and what it means to be an entrepreneur. Also, my dearly beloved mother, Blanca Barahona. She has shown her affection and devotion with endless love over the years. By telling me to keep going and never let others put me down. So, thank you, Mom and Dad!

Website: https://www.blackstonefreya.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-barahona-3b8967314

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackstonefreya

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blackstone-freya-houston-3?osq=Blackstone+Freya

Other: https://texanshomescenter.com/
http://texansaffordablehomes.com/
http://tribubuilder.com/
https://plazawise.wixsite.com/plaza-wise

Image Credits
Jesus Barahona, Athena Hernandez, and Monica Barahona ‘Self Portraits’

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