Today we’d like to introduce you to Mouse Rios.
Hi Mouse, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the Midwest but raised in San Antonio, Texas. I was raised in a single parent home with one older sibling. My Mom worked extremely hard to provide for us and I’m forever grateful. However, like many, my life was hard growing up.
I’ve been exposed to sexual abuse as a child from family members. We lived in the projects and I learned to grow up fast. My main group of close friends passed away very young and statistically, the odds were against me. I had to shift my mindset and change my life the best way I could.
Humor always helped me escape the troubles of the world. I’ve always been tied to the entertainment lifestyle — it always fascinated me to make people laugh. I love getting people to relate to things that people don’t normally talk about. My humor is controversial, vulgar and extremely sarcastic. It works for me.
I started out making 7 second Vines and 15 second Instagram videos in 2012. I organically grew a loyal following from 10 years ago and believe it or not, some of those followers still interact with me to this day! They’ve seen me grow into the person I am today.
I actually met my Husband (a local San Antonio rapper, Kdawg) in 2014 as business partners. We then started a YouTube channel series titled “Mouse Meets Dawg” and the chemistry was phenomenal. After dating for several months, Kdawg asked me to be his girlfriend and the rest was history. Fast forward to 2018, Kdawg proposes and we get hitched at the Bexar County courthouse! We purchased our first house that year and I slowed down with the entertainment to chase other endeavors.
My health started to deteriorate due to a pregnancy loss we suffered a few months after purchasing our house. Depression set in and the weight started to gain. Other medications, in addition to bad eating habits, packed on dangerous pounds at a fast rate. I was very close to losing my life when my doctor and I made the decision to get weight loss surgery. I successfully had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and it saved my life because many of my health issues subsided. To my surprise, we found out I was pregnant 5 months post op! This was a huge shocker because we tried to have a baby for years. We welcomed our rainbow baby boy, Donatello, into the world on my birthday, February 8th 2021!
I’ve had many obstacles but was raised to be resilient no matter what. It’s what initially drove my Husband and I to start our own business, Aquemini Management! The unique name idea came from the famous Atlanta group, OutKast! They have a great song called “Aquemini” and both rappers zodiac signs are Aquarius and Gemini. The two signs are very compatible as friends, lovers and especially business partners. My Husband Kdawg is a Gemini and I’m an Aquarius and the name idea was born!
I became Kdawg’s manager for his music endeavors and really took a liking to the in’s and outs of management. I’ve always been a very thorough person and know how to separate the importance of business with personal events. I decided to open myself up to managing other artists and not just limiting myself to the music industry but also filmography, videography etc.
I’ve always been drawn to many different hobbies and although I’m not perfect, I’ve been considered a jack of all trades. I’m always finding different ways to keep myself busy as silly as that sounds while being a Wife and full time Mother! Creating Aquemini Management was a big deal for me because I always wanted to help people and this is one of the ways I can do that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t believe the majority of our journeys are smooth roads. Everyone has their own struggles along the way and mine was pretty bumpy. I openly advocate for mental health and mental illnesses because I, myself, have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression). Going through life and not understanding why I’m feeling or acting a certain way was extremely damaging to my self esteem. I lost many friendships during my manic episodes and didn’t even realize I was going through something like that.
Working in corporate America was difficult because mental health is overlooked and the “hustle” mentality is permanently engraved in the culture. The mentality of “forget your work life balance, your kids, your sick relatives or your own health.. We need you to clock 40+ hours and deny your personal time off because we need you to understand the business!” I couldn’t be apart of that and I refuse to believe that’s all I’m worth.
After almost losing everything dear to me, including my own life, I decided I needed to seek help. It was the hardest thing to do and it was the best choice I made because God has rewarded me tenfold. Therapy, medication and healthy eating choices are not a cure all. Things can get hectic. Depression can sink in. Episodes can take place. It’s about having genuine people surround you with love and support. That is my family. At the end of the day, my friends, my followers and my extended relatives don’t have to live with me and experience life with me. My family does and they’re the ones that keep me going. My family is the sole reason why I want to be successful and I’ll always be grateful for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I manage artists of all trades. I’m a graphic designer and canvas painter. I host limited open commissions and sell canvas art. I’m known for designing graphic art such as business logos or cover art for artists. My style is bold bright colors but I also love a good request with details!
I would honestly say that I’m most proud of designing business logos for the best Pizzeria located on San Antonio’s Northeast side of town — MAARs Pizza and More! They have trusted me to capture their ideas and create fun art logos! They use my logos for their staff uniforms and it can also be purchased in their store! Seeing other people wear my logo designs is a feeling I can’t even describe!
I certainly like to break down every single detail from a request given to me so I can truly embody the art they’re envisioning. I’m always open to advice and even criticism that serves constructive ideas to my craft. I’m very big on seeing situations from every angle and I believe that always works in my favor when I’m on the job. It really helps me understand what my clients need.
How do you think about happiness?
Might be cliché but my children make me happy! My Husband makes me happy! When my family is happy, I’m happy and when I’m happy, I genuinely love to work and make other people happy too.
God, my children and my family will always come first because that is the foundation to a good life. I wouldn’t have my business if it weren’t for them. Good businesses are created out of happiness and good energy and I believe that’s what we have.
Pricing:
- Custom Line Art/Sketch/Drawing Starts at $20 and go up
- Custom Word Logos 2 Colors $20 | 4 Colors $30 | 6 Colors $40
- Custom Art Logos start at $50 and go up
Contact Info:
- Email: AqueminiManagement@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialaqueminimanagement/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AqueminiManagement/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MouseMeetsDawg210
- Other: https://audiomack.com/mousemeetsdawg
Image Credits
Victoria Grace Photography LLC
