How Dinora Built Luxuria: Chicago Nightlife, Beauty Business & Trans Latina Entrepreneurship

What does it take to build a nightlife empire rooted in beauty, identity, and community?

In this episode of Startup or Shutup!, Colin sits down with Dinora — a trans Latina powerhouse, professional beautician, and cofounder of Luxuria Productions, one of Chicago’s most vibrant queer nightlife collectives.

From growing up first-gen in a Mexican immigrant household to stepping into her truth as a trans woman, Dinora takes us on a powerful journey of resilience, reinvention, and radical joy. She opens up about breaking into the beauty industry, carving out her space in nightlife, and what it really takes to go from working for someone else to building your own table.

💄 From brushes to business
🌙 From behind the scenes to headlining the scene
💥 And from hesitation to her “Shutup moment” — this episode is a must-listen.

🧠 We cover:

• Growing up first-gen and trans in America

• Navigating the beauty industry as a trans Latina

• Starting Luxeria and claiming space in nightlife

• Entrepreneurship, funding, and staying true to your vision

• What’s next for the future of nightlife in 2025

• Dinora’s shutup moment that changed everything

✨ Follow Dinora: @TheRealDinora
📲 Follow the show on IG & TikTok: @startuporshutup.pod
🎧 New episodes every other Tuesday.

If you're building something bold — or even thinking about it — this episode is your permission to start.