MAURIAHH ESQUIVEL V.P. GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, SAATCHI & SAATCHI X
Born in Neosho, Missouri, Mauriahh Esquivel is an only child from a small but mighty family. She grew up in the small town of Vinita, Oklahoma. After graduating from her high school class of about 80 people, she couldn’t wait to get out and experience the world. That feeling landed Mauriahh in Los Angeles after college, only to find herself drawn back to Northwest Arkansas to work for Saatchi & Saatchi X. This is where she fell in love with the area’s charm, its friendly people and its outdoorsy vibe. Once she discovered this hidden gem bustling with opportunity, she decided to put down roots here. Mauriahh bought a home in Springdale seven years ago, where she lives with her husband and their “fur fam” (two pups and a kitty). “Over my 16 years here, it’s been fun to watch Fayetteville stay funky, experience the Bentonville boom and be a part of Springdale springin’ to life,” she said. “Seeing the metamorphosis of the area has kept me intrigued enough to want to stay and grow with it.”
Education: Associate Degree in Applied Science, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Did you always know what you wanted to do? I didn’t always know what I wanted to do. My mom is the most talented artist I’ve ever known, and I grew up wishing I had her hand skills. My dad is an empathetic creative thinker who applied that to his career as a family therapist. I did well in school, took art classes and even won some art shows when I was young, but I never saw art as a career path. Just knowing I wanted to help people, I assumed the best way to do that was by becoming a doctor, so I put art aside and went to pre-med thanks to scholarships. But instead of staying up all night cramming for chemistry tests, I’d find myself daydreaming and doodling. I did a 180 and changed paths to graphic design. Graphic design led me to art direction and then into creative leadership.
Best part of your job: It’s the two-fold C’s. 1) Culture. I have a work family of Xers who make me better. They bring so much joy to my day and getting to help them reach their potential and use creativity to grow is the biggest reward. Saatchi & Saatchi X is known for its culture. We work hard and enjoy our time together (even if we are physically apart). 2) Creating conversion. When I can get my hands on a client brief with a super juicy problem to solve, then I get to collaborate with some of the smartest people I know to unlock an idea that creates conversion and grows our clients’ business. It is so satisfying.
What changes have you seen within your workplace in regard to empowering women? When I started 16 years ago, most of the top leadership positions were held by men. The advertising industry as a whole was predominantly male dominated. I’ve seen Saatchi & Saatchi X make it a priority to employ, support and grow women over the years. Our President and CEO, Jessica Hendrix, as well as several other women in key leadership roles, empower women to have a voice in the industry and to break glass ceiling facades.
Who is your biggest inspiration? I have always been inspired by Elon Musk. His seemingly impossible vision, creativity, and most of all, his failures and rejections remind me of what being a creative is all about. The fact that all those failures and rejections haven’t stopped or slowed him down from innovating beyond what most would only dream of fuels me to want to try harder.