From being a Mom to an entrepreneur changed my life forever by love and support! I loved my life as a mom but they do grow up and leave home. As someone who has had many trials and tribulations during that period; I never dreamed that I could be a business owner. Here after a brain surgery for Parkinson's I continue to prove that nothing will stand in my way of success but, not without the help of family and friends. I fell in love with planning travel several years ago and was something I only dreamed of getting into, though never actually pursuing the position I just continued doing it as side work. Then the opportunity fell into my lap in July of 2025. I was able to start my own business. It is not easy starting from the ground up but, I continue to work hard and persevere everyday with the help and support of the community and friends until I can achieve my own personal success. I love meeting new people and helping others that need help getting started and that is where my passion is to help strengthen the travel community by being supportive of my peers and them being supportive of me. I have learned that with the help of the community and new friends can prove that you can grow with help and not alone.

Throughout my career, I have always valued collaboration and connection. As my roles expanded and the work grew more complex, it became increasingly evident that support, partnership, and community were not just helpful but sources of strength. Leaning into mentorship, shared ownership, and diverse perspectives did not replace my instincts. It reinforced them. I saw how thoughtful partnership sharpened decisions, accelerated progress, and led to outcomes that were stronger and more sustainable. Community, especially through mentoring and coaching, further underscored how encouragement and shared effort unlock potential. Over time, I built strength not by carrying more alone, but by recognizing how collective capability expands what is possible. Embracing support did not change my independence. It multiplied my impact.

I realized that pretty early in my journey, within the first six months of starting my business, that partnerships, collaborations, and community support are necessary to grow and truly strengthen a company. In the beginning, I was carrying everything myself, trying to figure it all out independently. Like many women, I thought that doing it alone was a sign of strength, but I quickly learned that there's real power in connection. As I continued building, I saw how much more impactful my work became when I leaned into collaboration and surrounded myself with like-minded people who challenge me to think bigger and grow. Those relationships have helped refine my vision and push me through challenges that would have been much harder to navigate alone. I also make it a priority to stay actively involved in my community. The support we receive is incredible, and it truly plays a major role in keeping our business thriving. That mutual connection, giving back while being supported, has become a key part of both my personal journey and the growth of my company. I always tell fellow entrepreneurs to find their GRIND which is Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Niche and Determination.

I spent years believing that strong women were supposed to carry everything themselves including the workload, the emotions, the expectations, and the invisible weight no one else could see. It wasn't until cancer forced me to slow down that I realized how much strength there is in letting others show up for you. Accepting support didn't make me weaker; it made me more human, and it opened my eyes to how deeply we all need connection. That experience reshaped how I lead, because I began to understand that empathy and compassion aren't soft skills; they're the foundation of how people thrive. When I allowed others to care for me, I learned how to care for others with more intention, more presence, and more grace. I'm stronger now not because I carry everything, but because I finally understand the power of carrying things together.

I started at the front desk, working for a manager who was genuinely compassionate, someone who made me feel truly seen and valued. Watching her lead sparked something in me. I knew I wanted to be that kind of person one day: someone who could help run a business while making a real difference in the lives of the people around me. That's where my passion began. I put my head down and worked hard. Promotions followed, and over the next 15 years I moved through various offices, absorbing every experience I could. But after years in corporate medicine, I was ready for something different, something that felt more personal, more purposeful. Then I came across a posting for a Practice Manager position at Jacksonville Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. It felt like the right fit at the right time, and I went for it. I'll admit, I walked into the interview with one quiet concern: could a small, single-provider office really keep me challenged? Five years later, I'm happy to report I haven't been bored, not even once. I've been more challenged than I ever could have hoped for, and I've grown in ways I didn't know were possible. My physician owner is a brilliant, talented, and kind man who has taught me so much, always keeping our hearts and minds focused on the culture of our office and the way our staff are treated. It turns out, the size of a practice has nothing to do with the size of the impact you can make.

When I realized that support; that true partnerships gave me a sense of purpose. It fostered my resilience to overcome life's obstacles.

I realized support was strength when I stopped confusing struggle with independence. The right partnership and community don't weaken your path. They make it sustainable, reminding you that you don't have to carry everything alone to be strong.

As a young single mom with no income, I started my business with just three customers who believed in me and promised to help me get started. That support showed me early on that partnership and trust aren't weaknesses. They're the foundation of everything I've built.

I've never been a competitive person and I realized early on in my start up journey that I couldn't, and didn't want to, do it alone, knowing that greater impact could be made when other like-minded individuals came together.

I thought independence meant never needing anyone. Then life showed me that even the strongest women bloom better in community. Support didn't soften my strength; it gave it roots.

I used to feel I need to do everything myself but soon I got burned out. I was a bit hesitant but there were cases where I had to ask for help. So I reached out and realized I can always pay back when I am available and I don't need to feel so burdened. I built a community with people I can rely on and you really need a village to grow. It cannot be done alone.

"All women are taught to carry everything!" My suggestion, STOP IT, expect help, and get it! Cannot carry the ball without a team!!

I used to believe I had to carry everything myself to get it done right, but I've learned that real growth comes from trusting and developing others. When you empower your team to think, decide, and grow, you build something stronger together because leadership is about "we," not "I."

The most important thing friends, family, and colleagues can do for you is remind you that doing your best is plenty good enough!

I spent years believing I had to hold every burden alone, until God opened my eyes to the truth that strength is holy strength, His light broke through my darkness and whispered that the path was never mine to carry without Him.

As women, we are often taught to carry the weight of the world in silence. As Latinas, the expectations can feel even heavier. But I learned that strength is not found in struggling alone; it is found in community, faith, and the courage to accept support. Thank God we were created to rise, thrive, and lead through pain and adversity.

I spent years thinking that 'doing it all' was a badge of honor, but I finally realized that my strength isn't measured by my independence. It's measured by the community I'm brave enough to lean on. True growth happens when you stop trying to carry the world and start letting a partnership help you build a better one.