Hollywood, California

 Ciara is a fashionista who works wardrobe in the film industry. These are her words:

/// "A warrior woman is someone who fights for her desires, her passions, her family. She takes a stand and takes care of herself and her responsibilities. Warrior women support those who need it.”

What does fashion mean to you?

I use fashion as a way to connect with people on a daily basis. I try to smile and make eye contact with those around me, you never know what someone is going through and I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL NOTICED. An easy way to break the ice is to connect through clothing or other fashion choices-- I truly like to give out compliments.  I can't say I'm able to shape their lives but I do use it as a way to add positivity.

/// "I believe that fashion & attitude go hand in hand. Fashion helps me become whoever I want for the day, it's sort of like a superhero's cape or mask. In order for me to give 100% I need to dress the part."

 In fashion, you can never be right or wrong.  There are so many rules such as when to wear white and how to dress on a first date, but every single one of those rules can and should be broken, it's about finding what works for you. FASHION IS AN EXTENSION OF ONESELF AND THERE CAN NOT BE RULES PLACED ON EXPRESSION.

///  To all women---
Don't ever feel less than or not worthy, don't ever compare your life to someone else's, you are your own competition. No one else is even in your lane, because no one knows what you know, no one on this earth can do the things you were made for.

You know what to do. You are powerful beyond all imagination and you are the only person who can block your path to happiness.

Downtown Los Angeles, CA

///   "My calling is to help women who don't feel worthy and accept the abuse given to them. They've been stripped down to feel they are nothing. I've been there. ” -Kat

We met when in the most precarious of ways. I had roaches. She had her poisonous sprays.  

I open my door and in comes energized Kat— laced with pink: pink truck, pink hair— pink supplies and of course, pink combat boots and--a large smile. To say the least she is vibrant, confident and soothing.  She wasn’t always this way.

In a cycle of emotionally and physically abusive relationships—and widowed by the age of 26, she was left to raise her two sons on her own. The uphill battle hit a low at the age of 32,  when she and her children had to live in their car. In this dark time of her life is when she found her calling as an exterminator. 

Kat had been working at the desk for a major extermination company, and it simply was not enough to support her family. She knew she had to get gloves on and join the men out doing extermination calls. She just happened to choose pink gloves instead.

///  "I've been through a lot of shit . It's all happened.  It's okay to feel defeated sometimes but don't let it overcome you. You can overcome it."

Growing clientele inspired Kat to open her own exterminator business--though doors surprisingly began closing on her.  "People didn't think I could do it on my own” she sighs, "My business is very male oriented and well—the job entails bugs-- and most women are afraid of bugs. Many can't see beyond that”

The truth is-- Kat doesn't even flinch at the sight of pests. In fact, you'll see these critters tatted all over her body. In her own quirky way, her ink is a reminder that a woman doesn’t have to be afraid— she can conquer her fears.

//////// One of Kat’s favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make us feel inferior without our consent" 

She focused on running her business her way, making sure she listened to all of the client's concerns-- even personal ones. "Not everyone has someone to talk to," sighs Kat, "a lot of people walk with bruises inside and no one cares".  

This is why Kat makes sure to chat with her clients and see how they are doing, allowing them to open up about their life. She has endless stories of tears, hugs and consolations. For Kat, each call is an opportunity to help someone with their literal and mental pests. She finds "La Exterminadora" to not be a career choice, but a calling.

So if Kat knocks at your door, for her it is no coincidence. She is there to brighten up your day, and to kick some exterminating ass.

Downtown Miami, FL

Constanza is graduating this May with a masters in Public Health.  

/// "I am going to learn everything I can about the systems that affect someone's physical and emotional health --that way I can help re-construct them to truly heal people"  -Constanza