Daniel Serres is one of the very first team members of TikTok Shop’s Live Ecosystem team, which helps develop TikTok’s live shopping capability in the American market by leveraging the ecosystem and model in China. The role brings together Serres’s passions and career experiences at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and entertainment.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
At the young age of seventeen, I started an e-commerce sock brand called D.A. Socks (yes, I was the chief sock guy). The brand went on to be worn by the MLB’s Kansas City Royal’s team during the 2015 World Series, while also gaining a personal endorsement from fellow Venezuelan and MVP Salvador Perez. This endeavor, at a very young age, really laid the foundation for my knowledge on not only building and running a brand from the ground up, but most importantly, how to best engage culture to launch a successful venture.
Most recently, during my time at Westbrook, Will Smith’s entertainment venture, I worked alongside a team that truly redefined the way A-list talent and top brands interact with the internet. One of my greatest career accomplishments to date was leading the team that successfully launched Bel Air on NBCU’s Peacock, a reimagination of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air for today’s generation. The show is now on its third season and is currently the number one original show on the platform.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
I recently was able to go visit Venezuela for the first time since mom and I left over twenty years ago. Hugging my grandma and getting to spend time with her was truly a dream come true. The Venezuelan government makes it extremely difficult for folks who migrated at a young age to come back; that and the mix of a broken American immigration system almost kept me from returning.
I finally accomplished it though, and the hug grandma gave me is one I will never forget.
What do you do today to impact your community?
From voter registration drives to serving at local immigration organization that support youth, I try to make time to be engaged on the issues that matter most to me.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
While I’m a big believer in manifestation and defining what we truly want, I’ve never been much of a five-year planner. I believe in leaning into (and sometimes being a bit obsessive) with what I am passionate about or want to explore, both career wise and personally—which frankly has worked out for me so far.
I hope to continue to work at the intersection of entrepreneurship, entertainment, and digital while finding innovative ways to leverage my work for broader positive, cultural impact on our world.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
As a Venezuelan and first-generation immigrant in the United States, I’ve never really felt like I’ve had the opportunity to be “apolitical” or “not really care about politics.” And frankly, I’m glad I’ve never been given that chance. My people have taught me about the fight for freedom, and how critical it is for us to use the power of our voice, and vote, not matter what part of the world we’re in.
Many of the social challenges that we face are intertwined but that can get a bit overwhelming when we are looking to make change. I think it’s crucial that we all pick at least one issue to be passionate about and use our work and voice to work towards the change we believe in.
For me, that issue is immigration. Many people say that our system is broken, some say that it’s working the way it was built, and I believe both to be true. We need an immigration system that gives the same opportunity to all people who look to come to the United States to contribute—no matter the color of their skin or the plight they might be running from.
You know an immigrant. You probably know many undocumented ones too; they are your friends’ parents or maybe even your friends themselves. The only way forward is change that centers humanity, while establishing new enforcement laws that meet the moment. We can do both.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
In 2018, I had the opportunity to work for the Obamas through their foundation. That summer, we launched the Community Leadership Corps, a nationwide program that activated cohorts of young people ages eighteen to twenty-five in some of the country’s biggest cities. The corps focused on training young people that were already active in their communities in various ways on how to best build the infrastructure to support local change in their communities, while rallying more young people to come along.
Working on this program really made me realize the power of young people, and how to leverage culture to bring people together around common causes.
Who inspires your leadership?
Rossana Serres: my amazing mom, who has taught me to be persistent in the pursuit of my dreams [and] learn and appreciate different cultures, while never being afraid to use my voice. She has been my support and the constant fire under my feet to become a better person. I could go on and on. Her biggest piece of advice, that I always lean into is, “tocar la puerta, no es entrar:” knocking on the door isn’t entering in, but at least you know you knocked. Whenever I am fearful to pursue a new goal or am setting out on a new journey, I remember what mom says, and the fear magically disappears.
What is a surprising hobby or interest that helps you stay creative and energized?
I really enjoy working out—I know, not so fun! But this time really allows me to focus and have a board meeting of sorts with myself. Some of my best ideas and biggest decisions have all been strategized during a workout.
What is your Latino background?
I am a proud Venezuelan born in the great city of San Cristóbal from the state of Táchira. My mom and I migrated to the United States in 2005 and are now proud American citizens. While there are many forces that have literally questioned my identity or right to be here, I lean into the fact that America is my home too. My opinion matters, my community matters, and so does my vote.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
A song I tend to go back to, especially when going through a challenging time, is “Color Esperanza” by Diego Torres. The song talks about leaning into hope in the pursuit of the future. And of course, I listen to Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Feid when I need to get hype.
