Meet Leah Murrieta

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

Hi Leah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Four years ago, I entered Arizona State University as a freshman already knowing marketing was the right path for me—I had taken two years of marketing classes in high school and fell in love with the industry. From the beginning, I had the dream of becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own agency. But two years in, after an internship and networking with professionals, I started to feel intimidated by the stress and complexity of running a business. For a while, I doubted if entrepreneurship was really for me.
At the same time, I was on a full-ride scholarship and needed to find a way to earn extra income without risking my grades. That’s when I landed my first client during my sophomore year and began freelancing as a side hustle. Later, I shifted into managing social media for a coffee shop, which turned out to be incredibly rewarding—I got to apply what I was learning in school in real time. By balancing school and work, I gained hands-on experience and built confidence. In fact, one of my biggest accomplishments was growing a client’s social media by 12K followers and increasing engagement reach by more than 240K.
That experience reminded me why I wanted to pursue marketing in the first place. Now, with three clients of my own and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing plus a certificate in International Business from ASU, I’m excited to fully dedicate myself to my business and finally bring my original dream to life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a freelance marketing consultant, I specialize in helping businesses grow their presence through strategic planning and tailored content—particularly on social media. My approach emphasizes clarity, creativity, and measurable results. What sets me apart is my ability to bring cultural awareness and bilingual communication into my work. Being a first-generation Mexican American, Spanish was my first language, and I deeply value my roots and where I come from. I believe it’s important to bridge languages and cultural perspectives, especially in industries where Latino voices are often underrepresented.

That said, my work isn’t limited to bilingual projects. I’ve partnered with a wide range of businesses from local coffee shops, ice cream shops, to financial services industry—that want to connect authentically with their audiences, regardless of language. My bilingual background simply allows me to offer an additional layer of insight and opportunity for businesses that want to expand into multicultural markets.

The journey hasn’t been easy. As a first-gen student, I didn’t always have the resources or guidance that others might take for granted. I had to learn how to navigate college, internships, and entrepreneurship mostly on my own, but every challenge made me more resourceful, resilient, and confident in my abilities. My proudest moments come from seeing small businesses I’ve worked with thrive—whether that’s growing their social media following, building stronger engagement, or building campaigns that resonate with their community.

Along the way, I’ve learned that staying true to your identity is your greatest strength. For me, that means showing up as a Latina in marketing, owning my perspective, and using it to help others succeed. I want the world to know that my brand is built on empowerment and inclusivity. My mission is to help businesses—big or small, bilingual or not—break barriers and expand their reach by connecting with audiences in ways that are authentic, relevant, and impactful

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Arizona for a week, I’d want to show them a mix of the outdoors, local culture, and some of my favorite spots in the Valley. We’d definitely start with a hike to ‘Hole in the Rock’ at Papago Park—it’s one of my favorite places because it’s not too difficult of a hike, but the view of Downtown Phoenix is absolutely beautiful

Since I love fashion and style, thrifting would also be on the itinerary. There are so many amazing thrift shops around the Valley where you can find unique pieces and play around with your look—it’s always a fun adventure. Of course, coffee stops are a must! Having worked in the coffee shop industry for more than two years, I’m always on the hunt for cute, aesthetic spots with personality where you can grab a drink and hang out.

Evenings would be all about getting dressed up and going out for pasta and drinks. For me, it’s not just about the food—it’s the whole experience of getting ready, doing my makeup, and discovering new restaurants around Phoenix. To me, that sounds like the perfect girls’ day: a little adventure, a little style, and a lot of good food and conversation,un poquito de todo

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without the people and organizations that have supported me along the way. During college, I was part of an incredible student-run advertising agency called Adworks. Through Adworks, I had the opportunity to work with national brands like Hellmann’s Mayo, EOS Fitness, and Shea Moisture, as well as local small businesses—developing marketing strategies that reached diverse audiences. I also got to attend a conference in New York, where connecting with agency professionals and collaborating with fellow Adworks members gave me the confidence to believe in myself and my business.

I was also involved in the American Marketing Association at ASU, which gave me the chance to attend a national conference in New Orleans. That experience pushed me to dream bigger, especially as graduation was approaching, and it inspired me to turn my passion into a career.

On a more personal level, I’ve been blessed with amazing mentors, like Rosaura Alvarez, an ASU alumna and first-generation Latina professional who has walked a very similar path to mine. She’s been instrumental in reminding me of my worth, uplifting me during moments of doubt, and connecting me with opportunities and people in the industry.

And, of course, none of this would be possible without my parents. They’ve always supported my dreams—even the wild and ambitious ones—and encouraged me to think big. I know they’re proud of me, and their constant love and support have been the foundation of everything I do.

Website: https://leahmurrietamedia.my.canva.site/leah-portfolio

Instagram: leahnmurrieta

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-murrieta-6b6720256/