Dictionary.com defines an influencer as “a person who has the power to influence many people, as through social media or traditional media.”
Influencer Marketing Hub defines an influencer as someone who has “a following in a distinct niche, with whom he or she actively engages. The size of the following depends on the size of his/her topic of the niche.” We have been watching influencers from the Southside pop up on social media and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share them here!
Influencers from San Antonio’s Southside
Amy Lynn Johnson
Amy is a digital media consultant, editor and freelance writer. She is the founder of Dog Friendly San Antonio, which she launched in the Spring of 2018, a website featuring the latest events, news and dog-friendly goings-on in the city, from a dog’s eye view. The site hosts regular events, including Yappy Hour, Fall Fur Festival and Santa Paws Parade and Costume Contest. She is also the creator of Maker Mama, which features DIY and creative reuse ideas. Every Friday, Amy Lynn goes on Facebook Live to provide viewers with DIY Digital and Phone Photography Tips.
April Monterrosa
April is a San Antonio, Texas native, an entrepreneur, a published author, and the CEO/Editor in Chief of Live From The Southside, the first Latina-owned publication in South side San Antonio.
She is also a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the City of San Antonio, a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association, one of the founders of the Southside Book Fair, founder of the women empowerment group Wonderfully Wise Women, and Southside Market Days.
She is listed as an influential Latina in San Antonio by KSAT12 News, and was honored by the 87th Texas Legislature for her achievements as a civic leader and community advocate.
Monterrosa’s writing career began 12 years ago with a niche for travel, small Texas towns, self-care, and inspiring her readers to make time for adventure, self care and fun.
April has a passion for giving back to the community and serves as a board member of the San Antonio Water System’s Community Experience Committee, of the Palo Alto College Cosmetology Committee, San Antonio District 4 Small Business Committee, and a board member of Brooks Give Back and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center nonprofits. April also served as the Director of Communications for the Miss Plus San Antonio Pageant and a media sponsor for The Pink Berets and Fin Addict Angler Foundation.
As a writer, marketing and social media professional, April works with brands locally, throughout the state of Texas, and nationally. Connecting others through travel, business, social media, and events is April’s passion.
Luisa Garcia
Luisa is the face and the voice behind The San Antonio Socialista, a lifestyle blog/marketing consulting business. She is a blogger, personal marketing consultant, photographer and radio co-host, who writes and is passionate about faith, family, fashion, fitness, food and fun. She started the blog so that she could share her love for local food and events, as well as to promote small businesses that she supports. Luisa has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University at San Antonio. In 2014, she was the Marketing Chair for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.
Roy Aguillon
The Carpenters Apprentice is an online talk show with a tagline that reads- Real people. Real stories. Real fun. According to the talk show’s Facebook page, The Carpenters Apprentice is “a humble family team from the south side of San Antonio. We create video content that highlights the unique stories and experiences of community members.” To date, The Carpenters Apprentice has produced 683 video podcasts, which can be found on Facebook and Instagram. In an interview with Spectrum News, titled “South Side Native Making A Difference With Online Talk Show,” Roy Aguillon talks about the show’s origin, stating “I kept meeting all these people in the community and I kept thinking how can I get what they’re telling me, all these incredible stories, to the people? But then – even more – how could I get everybody together in one place so that together we could do something really incredible? The show was kind of born out of that idea.”
Stephanie Guerra
The founder of Puro Pinche, a culture and entertainment website focusing on San Antonio local music, art, and events. Stephanie started blogging in 2010 and works with several public relation firms and major concert venues. She loves the tech world and is a Geekdom member. Stephanie was also featured in the panel discussion at SXSW “Blogueras: Latinas & The Importance of Their Voice.” Her goal has always been to showcase how “puro” San Antonio is and she obviously has reached her goal and has the awards to prove it. She has been the recipient of many awards including the San Antonio Magazine 2012, & Best Social Media Personality.
Tammi Solis
Girl Unfinished is a blog that is designed to help women navigate their unfinished life, through an array of amazing tips and tricks. According to Tammi Solis’ Facebook page, she started the blog to “help the everyday woman put herself first, more often, thru self-care, spirituality, and personal growth practices.” Her instagram pretty much sums everything up- her title is Confidence Creator, with an inspirational caption that reads- “I went from sad, angry and depressed to fierce, confident and empowered. You can totally do it too, let me show you how.”
AJ Rivas
29-year-old Alex “Aj” Rivas, has found fast fame on TikTok.
Rivas, who works as a house manager at a group facility for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, is also one of the latest San Antonians to gain a mass following on the video-sharing social network. On TikTok, he has 148.7k followers and more than 2.2 million likes across all his videos as of publication, as well as a presence on Facebook and Instagram. Fans can keep up with his hashtag, #AYYJAYYFAMM, and will soon be able to sport his merch, including Fiesta Spurs-inspired T-shirts and bandanas adorned with his logo.
Joanna Estrada
Joanna Estrada was born and raised on San Antonio’s Southside, a place she still holds dear to her heart. Since Joanne’s high school days, drama was always an important part of her life. Wanting to continue in the industry and further her knowledge in drama, in 2002, she auditioned and was accepted to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Located in New York City, the academy is a private, nonprofit college conservatory for the performing arts, whose alumni includes Jason Derulo, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Paul Sorvino and Tyne Daly. In the first year of acting school, she enrolled in dance classes, such as Dance and Movement for the Actor; voice production courses, like Voice Production and Speech, as well as Stage Combat classes. During the second year, Joanna focused more on the film aspect of acting, enrolling in courses such as Acting for the Camera.
Being passionate about bringing laughter to all around her, you can still find her doing comedy in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, at places like the Hi-Tones Bar, Bentley’s Bar and several car shows and fundraisers. On social media, she’s known as @funnyjojo12, but either way, she is San Antonio’s own celebrity comedian and a viral sensation. She’s a comedian, actress, and plus-size model who shares a daily dose of laughter with her followers.
Siempre San Antonio
With thousands of followers, local TikToker Gabrielle Gonzalez has discovered the path to San Antonio’s heart–food. She’s the creator behind the ever-so-popular @Siempre_Sanantonio TikTok and Instagram accounts.
With just two simple words, “hey friends,” Gonzalez invites people on a journey to discover new foods available in the city she loves.“I started going on Tiktok due to the pandemic. I started scrolling through TikToks, and then I said I can make these myself,” Gonzalez said.
Now with more than 250 videos and nearly 80,000 followers later, Gonzalez is making waves in the community.
“I didn’t think l was (going to) love videos as much as I do,” Gonzalez said. “It just like, it reached so many more people on TikTok. It’s amazing.” Growing up on the South Side, Gonzalez said she wants everyone to see all the parts of San Antonio that she loves, especially local businesses.
ARELGI
Andre’s Lopez is a Southside foodie influencer. He is also a talented artist and graphic designer. If you are looking for the best food spots in the Southside, follow him!
We will be sure to update with new accounts you should be following highlighting how great Southside is!
