Meet Jessica Roiz | Founder, Pulso Pop

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

Hi Jessica, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Ever since I founded and launched Pulso POP in 2015, I had a very clear vision that the motto would be “Latin pop culture in a heartbeat” (hence the word pulse in Spanish and the universally-used, pop). Part of the brand’s success as a digital media platform is due to the quickness we upload our coverage on social media. It’s to say, we don’t wait longer than 24 hours to post coverage we’re doing at a red carpet or press event. We are simply on top of our game.

There are so many other factors that have pushed the project forward, such as the support of amazing publicists, staying in my own lane, understanding my audience, networking, and not quitting, but beyond all that, it’s forming a team and learning how to become a mentor and leader.

Pulso POP is what it is today because of the talented and professional reporters behind it (including my husband), who best represent our target audience: Latino millennials and Gen Z.

For three years, Pulso POP was a one-woman band, managing the website and social accounts, filming and editing all the interviews, and tackling the project on my own. One that I, a Nicaraguan-American journalist, proudly created from scratch. As I slowly began to garner a following and solidified my network, the more demanding the brand’s presence became. That’s when I realized that if I wanted to take Pulso POP to the next level, I needed to build a team.

From 2018 on, we have secured spots at coveted award carpets including Latin American Music Awards, Billboard Latin Music Awards, and Premio Lo Nuestro; we have interviewed some of the biggest names in Latin entertainment such as Karol G, Rauw Alejandro, Becky G, and Jhay Cortez, to name a few; and we have over 550,000 collective followers across our social media platforms (@pulsopopnews), including a silver YouTube plaque!

So when it comes to the core of the brand’s success? It all comes down to an authentic, charismatic, honest, and passionate team, who have the same vision as I do because even though this journey is seven years old, this is only the beginning.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multimedia journalist who graduated from FIU’s School of Mass Communications in 2013. While I was in grad school, I was a staff writer for Fabrika Link, a Miami-based publication that was owned by Latin Grammy-nominated DJ Mr. Pauer and focused on art, culture, and Latin alternative music. I also had the opportunity to write for The Miami Herald newspaper through an internship program called South Florida News Service.

Seven months after I graduated, I landed my first major gig in the industry as an Entertainment Reporter at a boutique news company. In 2015, I experienced my first layoff and that’s when I decided to launch my own blog, Pulso Pop. Shortly after, I began working as a Latin Times Miami-based reporter, where I established professional and wonderful relationships with other colleagues in the industry. After yet, another layoff, I was hired as a managing editor for VIX. In between jobs, I juggled Pulso Pop and freelanced for MiTu.

As a music junkie and passionate journalist, I ultimately landed my dream job as a writer for music’s biggest publication, Billboard in 2018, where I only keep growing as a professional and educating myself in the industry. What makes me even more proud is the fact that I have an admirable boss and mentor, and that the “small but mighty” Latin team is all women.

Along the way, I realized there’s nothing better than being yourself and the importance of not quitting on my daydream. I hustled, I cried, I didn’t believe in myself, many times, but I’ve learned how to turn all my struggles into opportunities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m all about the “whole-in-a-wall” when it comes to the 305. For an impromptu dinner, I like the sushi river at Shima in Hialeah. Divino Ceviche in Doral and Madroños are also my personal favorites. For Sunday Fun Day, there’s nothing like eating authentic tacos and agua fresca at the “Mexican Fleamarket” in Homestead. And when it comes to staying connected to my Nicaraguan roots, El Guacalito Restaurant offers great live music by Nicaraguan artists, and different ranches in Homestead also offer Nicaraguan events.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The former and current Pulso Pop team: Miosay Tirado, Jose Alberto Torres, Reyna Figueroa, Andrea Bernal, Humberto Peralta, Jenn Rosado, Karla Bonilla, Dia Barrero, Kri Blandon, Luis J, and Gwen Garcia Leets. All the publicists, mentors, and colleagues who have supported my career and projects throughout the years, especially those who opened the doors for me (they know who they are!). My parents, brothers, niece, nephew, and husband for believing in everything that I do. My really good friends Angie, Gaby, Juana, Carlos, and Stephanie, for being the very first people to help me cover interviews and events even though this isn’t their field.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/pulsopopnews

Twitter: www.twitter.com/la_roiz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pulsopopnews

Youtube: www.youtube.com/pulsopopnewstv

Other: www.tiktok.com/@pulsopopnews www.tiktok.com/@la_roiz