Meet Kimberly Padilla | Entrepreneur & Amazon activist

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

Hi Kimberly, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
The act of helping others and being able to bring a significant change in someone’s life fills me with genuine joy. Being able to create, heal and guide others through my creations is the biggest blessing.

The Amazon rainforest is my happy place; it is home and I am forever grateful to be able to experience Pachamama the way I do. That is my happiness—hearing the beautiful birds flying through the forest with the sound of the river—being with Pachamama and my family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am very proud of my creation, Washkagems. I discovered myself at a very young age—communicating my inner-self to the outer universe. It has been a long journey of learning experiences and growing with my family; often enough, distressing. However, with ambition and a supportive “back-bone”, I have always come out ahead; I even learned how to create with my taita. Overcoming the tribulations of life is at the end for the better good, growing in the process. Obstacles are just pieces in a very large puzzle. Don’t move the pieces, just find a better solution! I learned to view and appreciate all that surrounds us, Pachamama, how to heal within nature—dedication and perseverance have been side by side. It has always been about making healing creations. Ambition and perseverance will not only allow you to dream but actually follow your dreams until the end. The two biggest lessons I learned were to have faith and to never give up.

Washkagems is a movement for everyone—a power symbol to be, unapologetically, you. It is a reminder to embrace who we are and love each and every moment of it. Washka is Quechua for “rope” as in rope necklaces that Indigenous women wear. It stands as a power symbol in the communities. Washkagems is a family replete with compassion, aspiring to help you heal from within yourself.

During the sickest point in my life I decided to go deep within the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest saved my life; healing through sounds, winds, and water—Pachamama covers you with her mantle.
This is why I created Kallpahealing and Washkagems—to help others heal themselves.

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.
I absolutely love the beach. The first place I would take them to is The Standard. They have one of the best sunsets in Miami Beach. I would follow that up with the Rubell Museum during the exhibition of an Amazon collection. Wynwood during Art Walk would be on the itinerary as well; stopping by a few restaurants and admiring myriad artwork.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family—dad, mother, and grandma. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Fueling my creative genius from a very young age, I applaud my family and thank them forever for always allowing me to be me.

I am grateful and proud of my parents who raised and guided me to responsibly face all the different stages of life.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WashkaGemsCreations

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washkagems/ https://www.instagram.com/flowergawdess/

Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/flowergawdess