Check out our interview with Influencer, Jewelry Designer and Activist Isaiah Garza, who has been homeless growing up and as an adult and believes in using his social media for giving back. Isaiah has more than 8 million followers. They (he identifies as non-binary) often visits the homeless communities giving away money, shelter and food. They just bought a house for a family they met with 4 kids living on the streets.
Besides being a kindness ambassador for The Drew Barrymore Show’s “Drew-Gooder” ambassador, Isaiah has designed jewelry fro Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Khloé Kardashian, Chance the Rapper, and Pete Davidson.
Isaiah announced a new KFC campaign giving away $500,000 in funding to nonprofits fighting hunger via a grant program on TikTok.
In February Isaiah moved into first-ever music inspired creator house Last2Leave: Miami.
Follow Isaiah on IG @isaiahgarza & TikTok @isaiahgarza
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, Philanthropist, humility, ambitious
Name one your strengths?
Being able to help someone who is truly in need.
Best advice ever given?
You’re gonna die. “Gary Vee ” If you think about life and think you’re gonna die and if that doesn’t inspire you nothing will!
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My dad. When we grew up in poverty he always found a way to get us everything we ever needed and bring a smile to my face. He never gave up no matter how hard things got. He found ways to help out the family, taught me perseverance and taught me to be kind to people.
How did you get started into the jewelry designer business?
I originally was designing dresses and found it being so hard to sell without a name, so I began putting random chains and charms together. I randomly put them up on a website not knowing what I was doing and started to email stylists/magazines about it. Within 3 weeks I got singer Kesha to wear one of my necklaces on the cover of a magazine. It was kind of surreal and made me feel like I was meant for this. I also went to fashion school and jewelry is a fun exciting thing that I’m passionate about.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
I learned that just because you might think one thing was meant for you doesn’t mean it was meant for you at that time. I thought a lot of times were my time to shine in life and it wasn’t. These failures opened up moments for me to have success now. The art of timing and sometimes you are not ready for what you think you’re ready for. The right time comes at the right time and can be greater than expected.
And about being an activist? What you do is amazing! Big Congrats!
Everything I learned in life is nothing until I realized it’s not about me in life. Life is not about me, it’s about the greater good.
What’s your advice for the newer influencers or entrepreneurs?
Make a career out of being 100% yourself. No one else is gonna be better at being you. Bet on yourself.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
How important it is to be a team player and lead by example.
Now tell us about the huge TikTok success and what are you doing to keep it going and growing even more?
Never being complacent and knowing someone out there might need me and to spread the message to the next generation to make an impact on this world.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful TikTok account?
Authenticity is everything within social media. You have to become who you are on social media. Be yourself! It won’t work or it will only work for so long if you aren’t authentic. Create content around what you’re passionate about and make you happy.
When you started your account, did you expect such a success?
Absolutely! I was so sure. When TikTok came out I kept saying I was going to do TikTok and I knew 1000% sure it was going to work. I just knew and was passionate about having an audience for the greater good. I was not surprised because it felt like my destiny!
Tell us about Last2Leave: Miami? What is it like, what events are you going to?
Last2Leave is an amazing creative group of individuals who are so talented & special. We live in a beautiful house in Miami collaborating with major brands & we go to the biggest events & festivals in the world. It’s pretty amazing! We recently went to Donda 2 experience with Kanye West, Superbowl & have Ultra coming up!
Tell us about the new KFC campaign giving away $500,000 in funding to nonprofits fighting hunger via a grant program on TikTok?
This is without a shadow of doubt a dream come true. Something I’ve always wished for. When I set out to be a content creator this is validation I am here at the right place and right time. As a creator who knows what it’s like to be hungry and homeless. This opportunity is now giving me the opportunity to have a major impact on this scale and brings me purpose and I feel like an amazing human being. This is an emotional project for me with my experience and what I set out to do as a creator.
As a popular influencer you are followed by so many young people. How do you feel about that pressure of always doing the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
If we were here on this Earth we have to set a good example for the next generation. And this can create that spark for those who follow behind me. To show people kindness is cool and helping is cool. Let’s come together and keep inspiring the youth and the greater the next generation will be. There’s no pressure on me when it’s all love.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
You’re the sweetest guy Ive ever seen in my life. Can we get married? You take care of the world and I’ll take care of you! LOL….
What actor/actress/model do you admire the most, and why?
Jim Carrey- a comedic genius and performs his art on such a high level and one of the greatest of all time. As a kid I was obsessed with Jim Carrey. He did something I did with my father. Jim wrote his dad a check for a million dollars when he was broke and told his dad someday they could cash it. A few years later he did Dumb & Dumber and cashed the check for his dad. I did the same for my dad and I’m very excited to cash it someday.
What’s next for Isaiah Garza in 2022?
I’m working on a song called Runaway! I’m so excited about it. It’s about people struggling in life & mental health issues. It navigates you through the voice of someone struggling & the voice of someone telling you to never give up.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
Be the first Mexican president of the United States.
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
Doing what I am now on a global scale impacting millions of people all around the world. Opening up schools in third world countries and saving lives on a global scale. I want to win the Nobel peace prize someday.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Watermelon
And your favorite cheat food?
french fries
What is your own definition of happiness?
Making a living being yourself.
How would your best friend describe you?
Workaholic, misunderstood, loyal
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
I love cool graphic vintage t-shirts, sneakers, and necklaces. I can’t live without my Chicago Jordan 1 Off Whites.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet a dead person that preferably went to heaven and ask them where we go. What pops off in heaven? What are the hot spots? Best restaurants? Is there TikTok in heaven?
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I would love to take my mom and dad to Italy.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I don’t watch TV much but if i do I watch Law and Order SVU & Rupaul’s Drag Race
What music do you like?
I am focused on making my own music!
Do you support any charity?
I am doing my own thing and creating my own lane as a charitable person and as a charitable organization. I want to create my own special lane.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Having a hot coffee in the morning, no rush and posting a video while putting on a movie. Chilling with a watermelon smoothie.
Where can we follow you?
@isaiahgarza TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube; and the new Last2Leave Miami sites @l2lmiami on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram
Favorite Quote: ”Don’t let someone ruin your day, it’s your day so if your going to ruin it; ruin it yourself.”
Favorite Holiday Destination: Washington
Favorite Drink: coffee with hazelnut creamer or fiji water
Celebrity Crush: Brie Larson
Favorite song? Why? Kanye West- I wonder
Favorite Sports Team: Lakers
Photo Credit: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
