Meet Sabrina Yanguas | Artist

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

Hi Sabrina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started working when I was 15 for free while I was at school, I wanted to learn and have the experience in a kitchen. I moved to Miami from Colombia and continued working while I studied. One of my many jobs I had was at the Mandarin Oriental, and I think this job made me realize that all the commitment, professionalism, and sweat I was giving was more than enough. And when I quit, I said to myself, if I ever give again 100% in something, it better be mine. That’s when I started my delivery healthy meals, that evolve into a catering business. Funny enough, I always say things happen for a reason and catering gave me the tools to fund my art, which I always did as my hobby, now my day to day job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
. I started working when I was 15, volunteering in a kitchen while still in school. It was all about learning and gaining experience. When I moved from Colombia to Miami, I kept working while studying. Among my various gigs, I worked at the Mandarin Oriental. That job taught me the value of commitment, professionalism, and hard work. When I eventually left, I realized that if I were to put in that much effort again, it had to be for something of my own. That’s when I ventured into creating my own business, initially focusing on delivering healthy meals, which eventually evolved into a catering venture.
I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason. Catering not only became my main source of income but also provided the means to pursue my passion for art, which had always been just a hobby. Now, it’s my full-time occupation.
There’s always a risk, and taking risks propels you to the next level. That has been and still is the biggest lesson in my career. It would be so easy if we knew exactly what was going to happen, but I think it would also be boring. For me, risk is an opportunity, a chance to learn, and a goal.
Every year, I dive into organizing my private event during Art Basel, which is quite a big risk. There’s financial risk, risk with my sponsors, the uncertainty of whether I’ll make sales, and not knowing if my art will resonate with the audience. But since 2014, I’ve been hosting my event because with each year, I learn more and push myself further.
I believe my career has evolve because of Discipline… Oh, and prayer, that’s the most important thing. I left home at 16 with my parents’ support, but I never had them by my side 24/7 telling me what to do. So, I always kept this phrase in mind: “No one’s going to do anything for you, you have to go out and work for it.” Also being myself, being natural and real can be something I would encourage people to always have as a priority. I believe that what truly catches people’s attention in my business is my authenticity. I’m genuine, I’m myself, and my art reflects that… I’ve done everything myself, from loading the paintings onto the truck to driving the truck and setting up the art at the exhibition.
Another phrase I often tell my team is, “If I hired you to do your job and then I tell you how to do it, it’s because I’ve done it myself. But I can’t keep doing everything on my own, or else I’ll never grow.”
With a team it’s much easier and you never have to stop working when it’s what you love what you do.
Also have … Balance?… Haha, I have no idea what that is! That’s my problem. I’m still learning about it. I’m always full speed ahead, like a Ram, then I crash… I tend to get depressed when I’m not working.
but the live for what I do keeps me going…I’ve always known art is one of the hardest careers to make a living but I guess that’s the risk of doing what you love!
A tip get inspired by everything nature, people, animals…life.

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 live at the Grove, this area is full of nature, its was formed in 1925 old Neighboor hood in miami. Through decades it went through series of ups and downs, but now I got to be on the Grove Boom. It has new nice restaurants, boutiques which I love, parks, families from all parts of the world moving and visiting and everything is walking distance which makes it extremely special to me. So, after a Grove Tour I would stop to eat a refreshing and for me the best Acai Bowl of the area at Fuzzbee’s, walk back home and grab the bikes. Ride north towards the Rickenbacker Bridge, so she can see the magnificent view we have, and off course have the experience to cross our longest bridge. If she doesn’t kill me , I would take her al the way to the end of key biscayne where the light house is.
Lunch, I would take her to south beach at the Four seasons Surf Club restaurant of Bal harbour, either Makoto, Hillstones, Capaccio (they are all great).
Evening I would visit Perez Museum, great location and off course ART.
Cocktails happy hr , I love the Biltmore little hidden old bar.
Dinner I would have to pick between, Porthole at Coral Gables, or design district to kill two birds in one stone; nice shops, great ambiance and restaurants like Contessa, zz’s, Mandoline. And If there was still open DRUNKEN DRAGON Restaurat that would’ve been my first option .

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will thank God, for giving me the talent, guidance, tools and strength to work hard to achieve my dreams. As soon as the journey starts different people come along. Some as help, some as guidance, some to critique, some to lift you up, some to sponsor and some to buy so I want to give thanks to them for being part of process. I hope my story helps and inspire the new generation!

Website: www.sabrinayanguas.com

Instagram: yanguassabrina

Linkedin: Sabrina Yanguas

Facebook: Sabrina Yanguas

Other: @sabrinayanguasart.