Meet Josefina Loza, founder and CEO of Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations Firm.
Tell us a little about your business. – Lozafina (www.lozafina.com) is an Omaha-based marketing and public relations firm that deploys communication strategies and specializes in brand development for artists, businesses, nonprofits, and everyday people like you. We pride ourselves in being able to connect brands with people.
How did you get started in the business? – I gained a lot of experience as a multi-skilled communication professional and journalist while covering regional and national entertainment, local community news, local government, higher education, and healthcare.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Success is turning my vision of Lozafina into a thriving woman-owned, minority-owned business and making other people’s dreams a reality. I want the freedom to build my business and my life in the way I want to, and that motivates me every day.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have two amazing daughters, ages 14 and 11, who are my biggest supporters. Being a single mother is tough but everything I do, I do it for them. We have two adorable Shih Tzu-Bichon mixed teddy bear dogs who love to snuggle and bark.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Age 40, when I started a business that I believed would drastically change how brands connect with people as we move forward in a post-pandemic, digital world.
Who inspires you? – People. They fascinate me. I absolutely relish in the time I get to spend getting to know someone – be that a longtime friend or a stranger I met a few minutes ago. I have this uncanny ability to spark a conversation with just about anyone.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!” – Jay-Z
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Gregarious. I’m a social being but most importantly, I genuinely care for others.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Motivational speaker. I’m a communicator by trade. I did a wonderful job proving my first-grade teacher wrong that you truly can make a profession out of being a “chatter box” as noted in my report card.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I serve as vice president of marketing and public relations for the Midlands African Chamber, a leader in economic equity and business development in black and brown communities. I also give mentorship and guidance to young aspiring journalists as the publication manager of The Gateway, which is UNO’s official independent student-run newspaper.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
What is your favorite movie? – Selena, a film about the life and career of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla Pérez. I listened to Selena y Los Dinos cassette tapes every single day throughout middle school. I remember being pulled into the music room with other young Latinas after Selena’s death because the principal and music teacher wanted to make sure we knew what happened and that we were going to be alright.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Madam C.J. Walker.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – jlozafina@gmail.com; www.lozafina.com.