Meet Kimberly Vieyra | Curvy Model & Latina in Tech

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

Hi Kimberly, how do you think about risk?
Risk is scary. Risk is the unknown. As someone who is a planner by default, making risky decisions about anything in my life causes some level of anxiety. I, however, believe that taking risks in life is absolutely necessary. I think as humans we are scared to fail, but failing at least means we tried. I fear rejection. That’s why I OVERTHINK taking risks. When I hear a “no” I overanalyze it think it’s because I’m under qualified, I’m not enough, I probably don’t fit the role or type. All which could be true, but it can also not be.

Although risk has been scary, I know that taking risks in my career and my life has made me a much stronger person. It’s tested my character and I like who I am because of those wild adventures!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am in Talent Acquisition at a pretty large cybersecurity company. I like to consider myself a #latinaintech. I am also a curvy model. For about 8 years, I was in marketing at a small business. That job taught me so much and I am so grateful, but it wasn’t a career. I was a little lost while I worked there. Almost a year ago, I decided I needed a change and decided to take a risk and make a switch in my career which is how I ended up in tech. Right around the same time, I was encouraged by some of my family and friends to pursue modeling. That took a lot of convincing because I didn’t think I fit the part because of where society was at but it was a lifelong dream I had and decided why the hell not! I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I learned how to ask for help both in my professional career and my life. Asking for help and having the guts to try something regardless if I will succeed or fail have been some of the biggest lessons I have learned. I think one thing I would want the person behind the screen reading this (which by the way THANK YOU!) is that my desire and passion in this life is to champion and cheer people on to convert their dreams, goals, and desires into reality. Failure means you at least tried. Don’t ever give up. Every no means you’re closer to your yes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok, depending on what time you arrive from Phoenix Sky-Harbor, we will start with In and Out Burger. You can never go wrong with the best, freshest fast food burger. Again, depending on the time of arrival, if it’s during the day, we would head to Deseo for a drink or coffee. I will forever be supporting latino inspired/owned coffee shops. Deseo is one of my favorite coffee shops in Phoenix. Its a cute little coffee shack and their interior is DREAMY. From there we would walk around Downtown Phoenix to check out some murals. Doesn’t matter what street, you are bound to hit a mural on every street in DT PHX. I would then head to a nearest Salad n Go and head to Hole in the Rock to catch the sunset.

I moved to Arizona at the end of August of 2018. Since being here, I have explored a ton of places and I know I haven’t made a dent. Here are a few of my favorite Arizona establishments!

My favorite breakfast/brunch/lunch spots include: Original Chop Shop, Snooze, Matt’s Big Breakfast, Breakfast Club, First Watch, Breakfast Bitch, The Bread and Honey House, Biscuits Cafe, Hash Kitchen, The Henry, Brunch and Sip, Luci’s at The Orchard.

Dinner: if I am not making a home cooked meal, I like Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers, SALT Tacos and Tequila, North Italia, Eat Up Drive In, Postino’s, Barrio Queen

Honorable mentions: Lola’s Empanada’s in San Tan Valley. It may be a drive, but HANDS DOWN the best empanadas and food in general.

For drinks: The Canal Club, SALT Tacos & Tequila Bar, The White Rabbit, The Parlour

If you like Mexican snacks like raspados or tostilocos you MUST go to Raspados Solaris and Antojitos Linda Mar

Must visit spots for views: Papago Park, Hole in the Rock, Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback Mountain, Roosevelt Row, Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Tempe Town Lake,

My niche is finding great coffee spots so here are some of my favorite: Cartel, Press, Deseo, Casita Coffee, Mystic, Dulce Vida, Tres Leches

If you want more a small town feel go visit: Downtown Gilbert, Downtown Mesa, Downtown and Old Town Scottsdale, and Downtown Chandler. There are great restaurants to try at each place and you won’t be disappointed

If you are here during the warmer months, go tubing on the Salt River and also rent a paddle boat or a donut boat at Tempe Town Lake

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
OH MY GOODNESS! This is list is incredibly long! But I would not be where I am without these incredible people! First and foremost, God. My amazing superhero mom that raised 4 extraordinary children all by herself and I believe we came out pretty great, Ricardo, Brenda, and Christian, los quiero mucho! To my amazing extending family in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mexico! Kyausha and Elena, my spiritual and business mentors, you have been there when I couldn’t believe in myself. My best amigas and amigos, you know who you are! My pastors that inspire and encourage me on the daily. To all the amazing people I have met in Arizona! and a special shoutout to Robbie and Sarah Tripp!

I love and appreciate each and everyone of you. I thank God for you every day!

Instagram: @kimberlyvieyra

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-vieyra/

Twitter: @kimberlymvieyra

Image Credits
Desert Boudoir, Josaphat Zelaya, Keosha Photography, Kristi Jamison