Founder Story
Hey, I’m Raul Aguilera—Jalisco‑born, U.S.‑raised, and fluent in the art of juggling cultures (plus the occasional neon light).
My family moved north after a telenovela‑level plot twist involving my dad, our neighbor, and a one‑way ticket to “let’s just start over.” I spent school years hiding my accent—and, honestly, big chunks of myself—so well that I wound up in Big 4 consulting and could knot a tie in ten seconds flat. Along the way I spent eight years confusing a mentor’s approval for love—proof that spreadsheets aren’t the only things that can be misread.
Life, of course, had edits. For two intense years I pressed pause to be my dad’s full‑time caregiver while lung cancer rewrote our family script. He passed, and a month later I hauled two suitcases and a blinking anxiety diagnosis to Cambridge to start Harvard’s MPA/ID program. Somewhere between econometrics problem sets and late‑night grief, I decided the world did not need another buttoned‑up version of me.
Enter Desnúdate Studio—Spanish for “strip down.” Think 400 sq ft of velvet curtains, LED mood swings, and camera gear that would make teenage‑me scream. It’s a love letter to my dad, a talented tradesman who never got to show off because paperwork (and temper) boxed him in. Today the studio rents gear and set space to indie creators, couples, and brands that crave unapologetic imagery.
At 29—mid-way through Saturn’s return—I’m finally living a life that isn’t airbrushed for other people’s comfort. If you swing by Desnúdate, expect good vibes, strong coffee, and zero judgment.
