We recently had the chance to connect with Kim Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kim, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
The rare moments I have to myself, I love to sit at my keyboard and let my hands tell a story or paint, though I’m not the best painter. But that’s what I love about it, I feel free when I get to sit and be creative without the anxiety of perfection or a deadline. As a natural-born perfectionist, I had to learn to find what I call “mindless dilly-dallying” to escape the chaos and reset. If I’m not feeling artistic at the moment, I love a good true crime or music documentary and playing mobile games. Right now, Royal Kingdom and Word Search are my favorites, ha!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kim Ortiz. I’m a licensing manager at a music publishing administration company by day and the Executive Director/Co-Founder of the L.O.V.E. Academy every day! Also, I currently serve on the board for SOLID. My friends often tease me by asking how many hours are in my day to be able to juggle all of the roles that I have, but when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.
I’ve worked in the record business for about 11 years now. It’s been a journey of tenacity and perseverance to push through burnout. I think there’s this idea that working in music is glamorous – a life constantly on the go, from concerts to networking events and it is all of those things. But, what many people on the outside don’t see is the slow burn of climbing the “corporate ladder,” navigating layoffs that are inevitable as companies merge or get bought out or just the tediousness of the job day-to-day. It’s important to find other sources of fulfillment in order to sustain this industry. As I began to elevate in my music career, I was experiencing this weird imbalance where I was grateful, but unhappy and that’s a hard place to be. I knew that I was burning out and it was time to step out on faith and put motion to a dream that’s been ten years in the making.
So, about 2 years ago, my sister and I decided to start building the foundation for the L.O.V.E. Academy which stands for Leadership, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment. We are a fiscally-sponsored project of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, dedicated to serving Nashville youth with life skills, financial literacy, skilled trades, and creative expression through film, photography, culinary arts, and music to name a few. I’m excited to announce that we just wrapped up our inaugural 4-week Summer Empowerment Camp and it feels absolutely incredible to see our vision come to fruition. My campers know how much they mean to me and I love them dearly. I feel very blessed to do this work and very fulfilled!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I feel most powerful when I’m in a position to advocate for the underdog. The earliest memory I have of owning this power was in middle school. I must’ve been in either 7th or 8th grade, but I was a member of the Student Council and Principal’s Council. This was in the early, early 2000s and tall t-shirts were all the rave! To give you an idea of how long ago this was, “White Tee” by D4L had just dropped that summer. Naturally, music has the power to influence fashion so all of my friends came to school wearing solid color tall tees. Some of the teachers and administrators assumed that the solid colored t-shirts were related to gang affiliations so they sent out a memo banning solid colored tall t-shirts which directly impacted the black and latino students. I remember feeling very upset by this because I knew those students and they were not affiliated in any way and were being profiled. I pleaded with the administration to reconsider, but they threatened to suspend any student that defied this memo. The only thing I could think to do was to organize a protest. My pre-teen logic told me “they can’t suspend the entire grade.” It was a calculated risk that I was willing to take. Back then, we passed notes or slid them in each other’s lockers to get the word out. For a week straight, the majority of our student body wore different colored solid t-shirts each day. I wrote an open letter to the principal stating how their banning of this clothing felt like a targeted attack to a specific demographic of students and since we had no formal dress code in writing, this violated our rights. The protest worked. They lifted the ban and the students that had been suspended were able to return. That feeling of community and what we can do with a common goal that is rooted in seeing the humanity in each other impacted me greatly.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear is a tricky emotion because there have been times when fear fueled me – leading me to take extraordinary risks in my career and education. Conversely, fear has also debilitated me when it comes to personal relationships and maintaining work-life balance. When I think about a fear that has paralyzed me the most in life, I would say the fear of myself; uncovering the real me. The me that has fantasized about living a life without bounds or limitations. The me that’s able to quiet that little voice in the back of my mind that says how dare you ask for more or dream bigger or my personal favorite, “Why not me?” It’s ultimately the fear of wondering can I truly have it all while still being a good friend, daughter, sister, partner, professional, etc. without losing any sense of morality or leaving anyone behind. These are the questions that keep me up at night.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’m fortunate to have many role models in my life, but I’d like to take this opportunity to give my parents their flowers. My dad and mom are two of the most extraordinary humans I’ve ever met. I say it often that I hit the lottery on parents and that’s a true statement. My dad probably doesn’t know this and I should tell him more often, but he is my superhero. A family man of great integrity and honor. He taught me so much about courage and how it’s just as important to do the right thing when no one is looking as it is when all eyes are on you. He would always say, “at the end of the day, you have to look yourself in the mirror and be ok with the person looking back at you.” I carry those prophetic words with me now.
My mother is the epitome of the Matriarch supreme and my ultimate role model. She taught me empathy, compassion, patience, and the true meaning of support and sacrifice. Her generosity, spirit, and faith continue to guide me. Both of my parents come from humble beginnings. One grew up on a farm, the other in a shotgun house full of 9 people. Though they lacked material wealth, they built a family that is rich in love, kindness, and encouragement. I’m truly blessed to still have both of them with me. They are my foundation. I pay homage to them and my ancestors who came before them.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When that fateful day comes, my prayer is that people remember my heart. I’m a very imperfect vessel, but I make an effort that when people meet me for the first time or anytime after, they are able to experience sincerity, generosity, and love. I want people to see me as a reflection of God’s love. If he could love me – someone who gets it wrong, often, he can love you too. That’s the impact I hope to leave behind. I don’t care about high praise, an extensive resume, or laundry list of accolades. It’s nice to be recognized for hard work, but it’s more important to me that my legacy is a legacy of love and light.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loveacademynashville.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveacademynash
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-l-o-v-e-academy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576154202169
Image Credits
Austin Sena
Jackie Marks
