Carmen Ruiz de Huidobro
Carmen Ruiz de Huidobro
Travel Host / Founder of Espanolita.net and EspanolitaTrips.com
Los Angeles, CA
www.espanolitatrips.com
www.espanolita.net
instagram @espanolita_net
pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I host incredible retreats in Spain.”
With me, guests experience the culture and the authentic Spanish lifestyle through experiences and tastes. While staying in beautiful places, we eat and cook delicious local food, we visit gorgeous sites, and we experience the artisanal culture through activities, workshops and by interacting with native makers.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I work as a production designer/ art director for music videos commercials and films, and this profession took me to LA. After living so long abroad , nostalgia made me want to come back more often to Spain. So for the last 2 years I documented my encounters with Spanish creatives on Espanolita.net and it got to a point where I needed to share this feeling with others. So I decided to launch my Espanolita Trips project, so I could show people my particular vision of Spain.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
The only thing that differentiates me is that I am a Spaniard leading trips through my homeland. But also, that I have been living in LA for 10 years, so understand my guests expectations too.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
More trips and more itineraries throughout Spain.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I go crazy for anything old and imperfectly pretty. I guess it comes from growing up surrounded by my Mom restoring furniture. But also places taken up by nature, flowers and anything botanical takes my breath away.
Definitely both my projects about Spain represent my taste:
https://www.espanolitatrips.com
http://www.espanolita.net
For my film work, is more the director's style that I try to convey: http://www.artbycarmen.net
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Explorer- I wish I could escape and go into a deep exploration trip of Spain for months.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
My inability to give every single hour of the day to just one project!
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Edit pictures and video... I spend so long on the computer screen!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Use every minute of your life to do something productive or work towards a goal, because one day, your time will be limited.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Effective press reach out I guess. How does one get the media outlets that you are in love with to want to talk about your project
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am loving creating personalized travel itineraries for clients now.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I partner with passionate local connoisseurs throughout Spain to create the best travel experiences for clients.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
There are so many factors to consider when pricing a project. Every client is different and requires a personalized approach.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I love when people approach me to either collaborate or come as a guest on one of my retreats. I am always open to finding a way to help each other.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I need nature and my 2 children.
This member profile was originally published in 2018.