W(o)W: Betty Mujica-Milano x LATCo.
Disclaimer: Before I write a blog for our fabulous Woman of the Week, I always stalk their Insta (I am exposing myself ), which is where I sometimes also find photos for their blog. Why is this important to know? because while stocking Betty Mujica-Milano’s instagram the one word that instantly came to my mind was f-u-n, FUN, and I think we could all use some more fun in our lives right now!
Quarantine Mood:
Betty Mujica-Milano, she’s determined, “kooky,” and joyful, but this woman will also show you a heart full of nurturing empathy. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico until she was 10. Her father is Puerto Rican and her mother is from Louisiana, which has led her to the conclusion that she is an undercover Latina, and YES this Woman of the Week can speak FLUENT Spanish! This often takes people by surprise, which she says explains her and how “what you see is not always what you get” and she loves it.
When she isn’t working, you can most likely find Betty Mujica-Milano at LATCo.'s new space, either teaching an improv class, performing in a show, planning an outfit for a party she’s hosting so that she can show off her outfit (mood!), or making her husband do funny dances for her Insta-stories! She loves to workshop fun outfits, along with two of her friends (shoutout Mezzert Kweens!), for upcoming events and she’s been documenting in a Monday round-up on her Insta-stories! She lives for a lewk! You might also find her chilling with her dachshund named Ernest, who would be upset if she didn't mention him --he's adorable and so bad!
Betty graduated in 2011 from LSU with a degree in Agricultural Business, shortly after graduation she found herself in Houston. After ending a toxic relationship, she started therapy and formal improv training at Station Theatre, where she finally found her thing. For Betty, improv was a way to express what she hadn’t for 25 years. At the time, she remembers looking at her improv teachers and imagining one day doing what they did.
Her hustle is LATCo. Comedy, which is Baton Rouge's first improv comedy theater (big flex)! They strive to bring the funny to the Louisiana. LATCo. Comedy was founded in 2016 by some fellow Louisiana natives, T.C. Matherne, Betty Mujica-Milano, & Michael Moss. LATCo. Comedy specializes in long form improv comedy, offering classes and shows in their new Mid-City location! Betty appreciates the opportunity to create the unique space in Baton Rouge for improv, which she believes is about support and “saying yes.” She enjoys creating a joyful community through LATCo. and, “bringing people together to find THEIR people.”
Purpose is a deep calling to our path that drives us to understand ourselves and cultivate our gifts.
Betty admits that vulnerability, curiosity, love, and trust are all natural to us until we face challenges that can harden us and silence that inner voice. However, as she has experienced life, Betty has come to realize that the path toward our purpose isn’t linear, but circular. You might be asking, circular? Yes, a return to our natural selves as we were before we suppressed those natural instincts mentioned before (vulnerability, curiosity, love, and trust). She believes sometimes challenges come to wake! us! up! so we can get to where we are meant to go. When she started improv and therapy her true strengths revealed themselves to her and the path forward was clearly illuminated. She concludes her take on “purpose” with, “so, when you think about taking that Salsa class alone or ending things with that wishy-washy guy, go for it. Your inner voice is calling you to your path & purpose!” (* snap, snap, snap *)
Betty: “I'm a HUGE Sex and the City stan and these are my recreation of Carrie's ICONIC mismatched Louboutin's during the Hollywood arc. (If you know, you know!)”
don’t panic. Don’t Panic. DON’T PANIC. What’s Betty’s first tip of advice when challenges come knocking on your door? Do Not Freak Out! This is always her first step. Before thinking ahead and creating scenarios or outcomes, Betty tries to remain in the present and become aware of what her body is telling her, and ask herself why she is feeling the way she is. She also tells someone out loud, she often finds this helps her release fear and create the space she needs to respond. . . wait for it. . .rationally. She doesn’t want hate for this, you ready? She kind of loves challenges (and I oop—) She feels like sometimes the universe gives her challenges that are like hidden Scavenger Hunts meant for personal growth. She enjoys being able to #levelup and step deeper into her purpose. (Pop off sis)
To any and all entrepreneurs, Betty has two words. Be Patient. LATCo. started in the community room of Whole Foods four years ago (shoutout Whole Foods) and wasn’t functioning the pace Betty was used to in Houston. She shares that her and her partners take it one step at a time. She wants you to remember that opportunities will come and feel as if they will speed up your pace, but be discerning and ensure they line up with your brand and your mission. Great things are worth waiting for!
To date, her proudest accomplishment is opening the first improv theatre in Baton Rouge! (Big Flex) Another big step she made was moving back to BR in 2016 and leaving her Houston niche, where she had her improv community, a solid career in fundraising, and good friends. Her inner voice led her back to BR to be with her boyfriend, now husband, and her patience paid off!! She has found BR to be where she feels most alive as herself and able to reach dreams that she wouldn’t have without some intimidating life changes. Looking ahead, she has big dreams for LATCo. and hopes to grow the community and even place some on SNL! She would love a larger venue with a bar and to attract some big names. Hustle set aside she is, and I quote, “ excited for the possibility of being a mom one day and raising a very bad ass little kid in a town with lots of cool opportunities!” Iconic, truly.
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xoxo