Meet Natalia Payton | Content Creator & Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalia Payton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
To only work on projects that inspire me. Early on in my career, I worked for or took on projects with difficult clients/bosses and/or in fields that I had no interest in because I was building my portfolio. It’s a common story – work long hours, for little money, with a terrible boss or work environment. Eventually – with relentless pursuit – you may get to the place where you can break free of the corporate rat race. I did that 7 years ago. Now I work for myself doing digital marketing, websites, and events for clients of all sizes and in various fields.

I also have a “no ego” policy. Collaborating with clients where there is mutual trust and respect has been the real game-changer. I love to work with visionaries and go-getters. I solve a piece of their business puzzle. I get such joy seeing a client’s reaction when they love what I’ve done. It’s a gift to be a part of their journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My personal passion project is a car and bike festival called Ratrodtober. It was really created as the anti-car show after my husband and I went to a well-known car show in Dallas and saw a few friends who couldn’t get in because they were in rat rods. We couldn’t believe it – so we decided to start our own show where the rat rod was the star. There’s so much that goes into putting these cars together and the people who build them are a different breed. They are mad scientists – brilliant engineers and master fabricators. It takes so much creativity to build a rat rod. It’s Mad-Max, no holds barred – let’s see what you got. When people have that kind of freedom to create – that’s where the good stuff happens. But there is a place and interest in all different car genres, so we welcome various car categories into our show. We’re not elitist. Some of the shows take themselves way too seriously. You can be a serious car and bike enthusiast and have a bit of fun, you know? Our awards pay real homage, but they are fun. We want people to come, eat great food, drink killer craft beer, see these incredible cars and bikes and fellowship with each other. This year is “Lucky #7”. The show is Saturday, October 14th at TUPPS Brewery in Historic Downtown McKinney, TX. We cordially invite everyone to come. We guarantee a great time!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live in Historic Downtown McKinney. It’s grown so much in the last ten years, but the city is doing a good job of trying to keep the small town feel in the Historic District. We typically don’t go far when someone comes in from out of town. There’s something always happening in “The Square”. There are great breakfast places like Spoons and Layered (try the chicken and waffles). Filtered makes a killer iced coffee called the Fidel. We would go to Rick’s Chophouse and Local Yocal Bar & Grill for steaks and seafood. We’d stop at The Yard, which is McKinney’s best outdoor venue, for an appetizer and drinks. I wouldn’t let them leave without going to CT Provisions for some oysters and beautiful hand-crafted cocktails. For a burger, it’s One and Only Burger and we would definitely stop at our hometown Brewery, TUPPS.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people who have pushed or inspired me to become the person I am today. First and foremost is my husband, Jake. He gave me the confidence and support to leave the corporate world and go out on my own. I also had many mentors and bosses who taught invaluable lessons early on in my career: Will Jones, Harlan Hendrickson, Shelby Russell and many others. And I’ve had some who encouraged me to work even harder (and faster) to forge my own path. No matter how they came to me, they were instrumental in where I am and what I’ve achieved up until now. Each person, placed in my path, taught me something so important about myself, where I wanted to go, and what I was capable of. Though difficult at the time, I now see what it was all for. Last but not least, and at the very top, is Jesus, who gives me the fortitude and endurance to do it all.

Website: https://www.ratrodtober.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ratrodtober/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliandiaz/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ratrodtober

Image Credits
Lucky Shot Images Full Throttle Texas Caleb Pifer