Victoria Sanchez-Lincoln The Power in Positive Thinking

I’ve met many amazing women throughout my career, Be it through mentorship, empowerment, or simply by leading through example, there is a special place in my heart for those who have forged their own paths and paved the way for others. So consider this fair warning: This interview isn’t business — it’s personal.

Over the years I’ve been a colleague and an admirer of Victoria Sanchez-Lincoln—her work, her drive, and her perseverance. I recall her hustle, yall know what it is, that, ‘I moved to New York and everything I have is riding on this,’ kind of hustle. We both worked in publishing as editors. Victoria was a fashion editor and director when the idea of diversity meant just having one brown face in the room was acceptable. Victoria defied the odds. She became a Latina voice and face in the industry. And she did it all with a handicap.

You would think when she lost her forearm in an accident, at the tender age of four, she’d stop pursuing her dreams. But it didn’t, it simply motivated her to work harder, push further, achieve more than her peers. To say she paid her dues is an understatement. She carried heavy garment bags to meetings and photo shoots with one hand, most of the time without help (from anyone!!); being the lone Latina woman in the room, amplifying, an entire culture—from the community to fashion and beauty, as well as people with disabilities, and curvy girls. Today, Victoria and her family have relocated to her home, Puerto Rico. She left New York City at the beginning of Covid-19 shutdown for what she thought would be a short stay. But she loved being home and the fashion expert and publicist discovered she could do business easily from there. She is now working with major brands from swimwear to major retailers, on the island, nationally, and in some cases internationally, including her recent project with Ricky Martin.

GF: What brought you back to Puerto Rico?

VSL: My daughter and I came for spring break and immediately the pandemic happened. So we had to stay and she finished school online from Puerto. We then decided, (my husband and I) that we would stay. We wanted her to have the same opportunity and experiences that we had—especially immersion in the language, culture, and traditions. These things are hard to teach living in the US.

What or who gave you the strength to go beyond your narrative and the idea that others had for you?

VSL: I was never treated differently at home or school. It made a big impact because it gave me the confidence to be and act just like everyone else. I don't let people stop me, and I always wanna be great and do good. I remember a few years ago, my older sister said to me, “You know what, if your accident would have happened to me, I would have stayed at home with mom, and that would have been my life.” My response to her was,” You're saying that and I went to New York, studied fashion design, became a fashion director at top magazines. Then I got married, and had a daughter? You would have missed an entire life?”

How did you mentally stay positive, in an extremely stressful industry?

VSL: My superpower is my persona, my attitude, the way I see things, and how I present myself. So, I'm always down for looking fashionable, and having something on that makes a statement. But I also always have a smile. I'm always kind to people and believe in being good to everyone. I believe you treat people how you want to be treated. So I think I project that. I’ve made it my superpower to meet the challenges of being Latina and handicapped. My handicap actually made me stronger because it always challenged me to do better. Plus, I don't take nos very well.

Talk about your transition from New York to Puerto Rico.? What was the turning point that made you move back?

VSL: It was in the middle of the pandemic and we ended up staying in PR as travel was cut off. When I put my daughter in school here, she was so happy, it was such a different lifestyle. And a better quality of life than what I could give her in New York. She’s surrounded by all the friends I have grown up with and their kids. There was a comfort zone—I knew who she was playing with and surrounded by. It's also not bad that we go to the beach every weekend. So life is just better this way. And when I asked my daughter, why do you love living in Puerto Rico? She was like, Grandma—her answer melted my heart. We didn't have much family in New York and now that she is surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones she loves it.

Why did you start a PR business in Puerto Rico?

VSL: My partner and I started to get a lot of opportunities with companies and smaller brands for representation in Puerto Rico. The work is purposeful and meaningful, especially because they weren’t able to go to the big agencies and spend a ridiculous amount of money. Also, they found out that a lot of the bigger agencies didn’t have our depth of experience me and my partner (who also moved to PR from NY working as an executive at Estee Lauder). Our years of industry experience and US contacts worked to our advantage. Also, they don't have the work ethic, we are still used to working around the clock. Here people are taking siestas and were like, still working in the market. So we started doing really cool work down here. Right now we are representing four swim lines, I have projects here in Puerto Rico, and now I have an international brand that I'm launching in Mexico with Ricky Martin in the US, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. There are a lot of people and families in the diaspora who are moving back to PR because it is offering a less stressful way of life.

What do you recommend to women who have faced adversity but like you also have the drive to succeed?

VSL-Be yourself. Don’t let anyone stop you or discourage you from just being you. Believe in yourself so you can reach your fullest potential—I think sometimes there's too much noise, and that can cloud your vision, confidence, and everything that drives you forward. Only surround yourself with positivity, I always try to look at the good in everything, in every situation I always think Yes, but it could be so much worse. When people are like, oh, your hand and stuff, I remind them, It could be my legs and I’m a wheelchair. This could be a lot worse. I'm actually blessed. Don't miss the blessings.