Rachel Luna is the epitome of the modern Latina — a humble self-made woman living a lifestyle she dreamed and strived for since her youth. Before earning the well-earned label of the “Title Queen,” Luna grew up in a lower-income household and faced adversity throughout her childhood. Nevertheless, her upbringing allowed her to establish a strong foundation of Latin values – prioritizing family, maintaining a powerful work ethic, and having the drive to succeed no matter what.
With her success comes a responsibility of advocating for other women. While a leader for other women within her industry, Luna has a passion for uplifting other Latina business women, continuously making efforts within her own company and industry to make opportunities more accessible. However, Luna is very candid when discussing the lack of sisterhood her fellow Latinas have, holding onto a competitive nature over sisterhood in both their personal and professional lives.
On the topic of success and the responsibility that comes with it, this New York City themed photoshoot and interview is only one marker on her career journey. An experience that was truly magical, it all represents Luna’s dreams that have come true and the next stages of her career that are yet to come.
- If someone were to ask you who is the Texas Title Queen, what would you say?
She is a self-made Latina who is leading the industry and leading women to glory!
- What does your Latina identity mean to you?
It means everything. If it wasn’t for my Latin roots, [I wouldn’t have] the work ethic that comes with working hard, the value of family, and the value of the American dream. Obviously, my story is that I come from a very poor Mexican-American family. Being Latina is everything to me. It’s given me the basis of who I am with the strong family values, hard work ethic, and the will and the drive to do whatever it takes to prevail. There’s no task beneath me, believe that!
- What would you say are some of the issues the modern Latina faces today?
Even though we have come a long way, there’s still a strong racial undertone in our society, especially with strong Latin women in business. Latinas are still considered lesser than the White women within business because we are still seen as homemakers and wives. Because of that perception of Latinas, we have a higher bar set on us.
As an ethnic group, we also go against each other at times. I’d like to disclose that Latinas are probably one of the prime ethnic groups who don’t support each other in business and in growth, as compared to other ethnic groups.
In business, it has been very difficult. With my personality, it’s easy for people to warm up to me, but it has been proven time and time again to be harder to create a rapport with other successful Latin women. I get messages from all kinds of people, but it’s very minimal that I am reached out to by a Latina for a collaboration. We’re not supporting each other. We’re not leveling each other up. It’s almost like we’re competing against each other.
I try to hire Latin women within my company. All the VP’s are Latinas, and I always try to promote them. I also support other Latina business women by helping with event collaborations or speaking arrangements. I always make time for other business women to share what makes me successful, to elevate them and myself. I do whatever I can to help other Latina business women shine, and to help them build their business or fundraising.
To support one another, we can give each other shoutouts on social media. Let them know that you’re someone who’s successful and you’re acknowledging another woman’s success. People want to be acknowledged. Whatever I can do to support another Latinas, I’m all game for it.
That’s been the basis of my brand, and I know that that’s why I’ve been so successful, but that success comes with responsibility.
- Tell us more about your upbringing and your childhood. What are some lessons you learned growing up that still stick with you?
As a Latina, one of the biggest lessons that have stuck with me is that family is the most important. At the end of the day, who are we working so hard for? We work hard to create a legacy and a life for our families that is better than the life we had before. That’s a big undertone in the Latin community, especially with families who are immigrants and come here for a better future. Family is first, and that is a big basis of everything that I do. My family is very close, and they are a part of my company as well. As long as I have their support on this journey, we’re going to keep going.
In reference to business, it’s important to work hard, stay humble, remember where you come from, and look where you’re going. Being a business woman, Latina, and having come from a poor family, I have created a work ethic where I don’t mind doing whatever it takes to be successful. I have come from nothing.
- Who were some of the powerful Latina women from your upbringing who shaped you into who you are today?
I come from a family where the women were the leads in the house. My grandmother ran the show, and now I’m the matriarch of the family. My grandmother barely spoke English, but she instilled very strong values in me such as never settling for less. We only have one life to live. She also told me to not worry about how long it’s going to get there, you’re going to get there. She taught me how to take care of myself, value myself, and love myself as a young Latina. My grandmother really shaped the person I am today.
I have always been a firecracker, but she gave me the power and the confidence early on that I could do anything. Today, I am empowered and confident, knowing that not everything is going to go my way, but if I want it that bad, it’s going to happen.
As Latinas, we worry so much about what others think about us — our shape, size, looks, and our levels of success. We need to worry about what we think about ourselves.
- You have previously discussed how you’re modernizing your industry with your personal style and personality. How do you manage to stay authentic to yourself and your identity, being a powerful force within real estate?
It goes back to my Latina roots and keeping my feet on the ground. I stay humble and I’m not done with where I need to go. There’s still a lot of people I need to meet and circle myself around with. I feel that I am on a journey, but I’m no better than anyone else. I just happen to know what I want and where I’m going, which is what keeps me authentic to myself. There’s no fake it til you make it here! You have to be who you are and be true to yourself.
- This shoot took place in New York City. Can you tell me more about the experience of shooting in some of the famous landmarks in the city?
It was absolutely amazing! It was everything and more. It was a magical life memory to me, being able to do this photoshoot in New York and visit these beautiful landmarks. To be able to have this experience in my life was absolutely amazing! The day couldn’t have been more beautiful. The whole trip was divine.
The shoot represents a huge pivot in the direction of where I’m going and how fast I’m going to get there now. You either go big or go home, and there is no better place to do a huge photoshoot than the Big Apple.
- New York City is often referred to as the “City of Dreams,” despite it being a very cutthroat city. What is some advice you can give to other women on achieving their dreams?
You’re going to get beat up. You’re going to get beat down. You’re going to get kicked around. But, if you believe in yourself and your destiny, rest assured that your dreams will come true. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get there. To everyone out there reading this, it’s your own journey.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
RACHEL LUNA, The Epitome of the Modern Latina. @racheltexastitlequeen
—
@plpg.globalmedia @plpgnews @publicomlatina @plpg.shop @plpg.network @plpgbooks @plpg.talentsagency
@plpg.entertainment @plpgbusiness @plpg.life
—
Head to the links for full articles and exclusive images:
https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2261494?__r=928185
https://www.zinio.com/latina-attitude-magazine-m40019
https://pasalapagina.com/publicacion/latina-attitude-magazine/549.html
—
MUSE: RACHEL LUNA @racheltexastitlequeen
GLAM: DIEGO AGUILAR @makeupbydiego
HAIR: CARLA ORDONEZ @hairbycarla.nyc
PRODUCTION: BURGERROCK MEDIA @burgerrockmedia
IRMA PENUNURI @burgerrock
PHOTOGRAPHER: HAROL BAEZ @harolbaezstudio
STYLING: ARNOLD MILFORT @arnoldmilfort
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: ROMINA OLIVIA @rominaolivia_
—
Published by @plpg.globalmedia | Copyright 2022 PLPG GLOBAL MEDIA S.A.S | Global CEO, Founder & Editor in Chief Edward R Rueda @ceo.plpg
—
PLPG Global Media sets the benchmark for publishing excellence 48 Magazines, 70+ print & digital brands, 200+ Countries in 35+ markets. #plpgproject644
—
All our paper is acid-free and FSC-certified, which means it’s from responsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources. Our publications are also recyclable, making it easy on consumers and the environment.