Boss Ladies | Aida Rivero — The Refined Woman

Aida is an architect and photographer living in the Canary Islands. She uses her creative and strategic abilities to span the digital landscape. Her photos capture more than a moment, but a mood, a feeling, a sense of timelessness.

Growing up I really wanted to be

An astronaut or pilot. I was obsessed about getting off the ground.

My most-used emojiis are

laughing face, kissing face and any kind of heart

My go-to order at a coffee shop is

A chai latte. I first had one at a café in Copenhagen, and now I don't drink anything else.

I don’t know how I ever lived without

Instagram. I never thought this app would have such a huge impact in my life.

One thing people don’t know about me is

I have Cuban blood running through my veins (that's probably why I love dancing to latin rhythms so much). I have also lived in Poland and Denmark -- one of the best experiences in my life.

My real life hero is

My mother is probably the strongest woman in the world. She's always dealing with something and yet still has the strength to care for us.

What I love about my work is

I’m able to visit a lot of different places, meet interesting people and be surrounded by design that inspires me.

The hardest thing about my work is

Too much work can be stressful, and it’s hard when your work is also your hobby.

How I got started with my current career

I became interested in architecture when I was in high school. I had the skills and I liked everything related to design so I just went for it. But after I finished my studies I discovered my love for photography. I started with my phone, then I upgraded to a good camera and it has led me to where I am now.

The dumbest thing I did when I was starting out

Not believing in myself...and not putting the effort enough to make everything come true.

My typical day looks like

I wake up around 7:30 am, get dressed and go out. On my way to the studio I buy some croissants for breakfast. I love to walk in the city during the morning and see all the movement, enjoy all the smells in the air. When I arrive I have to check emails, deal with clients, phone calls and spend a lot of time designing on the computer. My favorite part of work comes when I get to go out and do something outdoors, then I'm super happy.