we are not the future - we're here now.
if you're looking to support our comunidad this HHM, here's a list to get you started.
This issue of La Hoja is all about celebrating us - our comunidad.
This issue is to show that we have endless value to bring to the table.
This issue is to show that so many of us have stories to tell and we’re ready to tell them.
This issue is to show that we’re out here creating incredible art, products and making waves in our industries.
This issue is to show that Latinas are not the future - we are el presente.
We’re here now - and if you or your organization, media outlet, etc. are looking to highlight, support or partner with Latinas this Hispanic Heritage Month - pay attention.
Just to get you started - here’s a list of thought leaders, small businesses and creatives that you can include in your articles, summits, campaigns, etc.
small businesses with inspiring founders
BONITA FIERCE CANDLES - Melissa Gallardo is the jefa of this NY- based thriving small biz that creates candles to remind us of home - like lavender fabuloso y agua fresca. With numerous national press features, collaborations and more - she still continues to surprise us with her candle creations. Shop here.
NYTAQ - founded by the one and only actress and TV/radio host, Fernanda Kelly, NYTAQ was created to empower Latinas to step into their power through their lifestyle brand. With Fernanda’s social initiatives like the Medical Gown Project during COVID - she’s on her way to building a unique social impact brand with cultura. PS: Shop their stunning collection of apparel + more here.
HELLO UPDO - the only texture inclusive haircare essentials that are fashionable and good for your hair?! Silk scrunchies, silk pillowcases + they’re just getting started. Founder Magdaline Hurtado is slaying the industry with collaborations with Viva La Bonita and press features in Byrdie. Shop here.
CADENA COLLECTIVE - founded by hermanas Alejandra and Mabel Aguirre, Cadena Collective inspires us to wear our cultura proudly. With a community of over 140K on TikTok and new vendors coming on board - these mujeres are true trailblazers for Latinas in e-commerce. See their new arrival earrings, bags, dresses y mas aqui.
CASA DOS CHICAS - Ana Ocansey-Jimenez and Oneida Franco are established accountants turned cafe-emprendedoras who are celebrating our culture through their online coffee shop. Recently featured in Remezcla, they say ““We are bringing back the moment of simply pausing during the afternoon while having a cup of coffee,” and that they are on a mission to empower women in the coffee supply chain. Adelante, chicas! Shop here.
PAPELITOS LINDOS - call me old fashioned but I love cards + stationary - especially when it’s in Spanglish. A true chingona, Sandra Garcia is helping us all connect to each other with her papelitos lindos. Find cards and stationary for every occasion here.
GONZALEZ WINE CO - celebrate summer with her white malbec. You won’t regret it. This Mexicana is forging her own path in the PNW wine scene and as a proud board member of Ahi Voy, the OR based nonprofit that works to empower vineyard stewards, she is making waves! If you’re in Portland, do an IRL tasting - if not, you can get wine shipped to you! Shop here.
MAKE AND MARY - CBD products to invoke the magic of calm. Founder Yvonne Perez Emerson has created an engaged online and IRL following through her creations and community-building - and she’s an inspiration! She uses her shop in Portland to not only sell her products but also highlight other BIPOC businesses. Can’t make it to her store? Shop bath bombs, serums and more here.
PISQUEYA - family, love, community and passion - those are founder Maritza Abreu’s values - and they can all be found in her delicious hot sauce and adobo seasoning. Not only are her products super tasty (my faves are the adobo and the Smoky Hot sauce) but she also gives back to help stray animals in DR. PS: She also sells gift boxes - so go grab yours ahora.
thought leaders to be empowered by
Paulette Piñero - founder of Unstoppable Latina - helping Latina leaders harness their strengths, amplify their voice, and live their purpose. Listen to her podcast, follow her on IG, TikTok and LinkedIn for tips on how to be your best jefa self.
Katelina Eccleston aka Gata - the estrella behind Reggaeton Con La Gata, a leading voice in the music industry, historian and artist! She uses her platform to highlight Latinas in Reggaeton and earned the title of Culture Shifter of the Year by Huffington Post. Do not sleep on her!
Mayra Salinas - an educator, entrepreneur, and aspiring professional coach who helps people write sh*t down + get sh*t down. She’s also the creator of the new Chingadera Brain Dump Journal which serves as a home to your wildest dreams, goals, thoughts, and ideas. Because it has to go somewhere right?
Mariela De La Mora - a business and leadership coach, that helps WOC grow their businesses and their teams through proven identity-specific mindset and leadership practices.In a world where everyone is just trying to show their glow up on social media - Mariela is authentic, bold and empathetic - starting in the way she talks about her own journey and how she’s learned from it. Follow her on Instagram to be inspired.
Melba Tellez - founder of Mujeres on the Rise, a commmunity-builder, career coach and podcaster. Melba is a true gift to the Latina community through her resource sharing on social media where she’s built a following of thousands! She’s not only an accomplished marketer in tech, but she’s a passionate leader who wants to help others level up. Learn more about Mujeres on the Rise.
Elizabeth Acevedo - a magical poet and performer. Through her poetry and storytelling she connects with her audience on another level. She is a NYT best-selling author, most recently of a visual poetry book called “Inheritance”, that embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad — the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance.
Vanessa Castillo - soulful biz bestie and branding visionary. The master behind the entrepreneur community The Rich Girl Mindset and the founder of longtime creative agency VCV, Vanessa is a force. Vanessa focuses on creating a balance between all parts of you and not being afraid of showing up as who you are - ALL THE TIME. Her content is a breath of fresh air - and who doesn’t want someone like that on their team?
Sandra Velasquez - founder of Nopalera and entrepreneurial mastermind. ICYMI her botanicals brand has been blowing up (and with good reason - it’s amazing), but what a lot of people don’t know is that Sandra shares her knowledge on wholesale, margins and more through her masterclasses, Nopalera podcast, blog and newsletter. See her resources here.
Valeria Aloe - author of Uncolonized Latinas - the award-winning and groundbreaking new book that accelerates Latinas into spaces of influence, leadership, and wealth creation. Valeria knows how to get through the mindsets that hold us back and through her words, guides others to achieving success. A much needed voice in our comunidad!
jefas who are amplifying our stories
Delsy Sandoval of Ocu-Pasión Podcast – “a heartfelt, globally engaged, interview style series that bridges culture and creativity through showcasing the experiences of Latin American creators from all walks of life. The emotionally based and free-flowing dialogue led by Sandoval, authentically takes listeners through the world of creation – allowing them to emotionally connect with Latin American artists and visionaries like they never have before.” - a direct quote from GirlTalk HQ because I couldn’t have said it better. A new voz on the rise.
Bianca Kathryn of From Hustler to Jefa - founder of Yo Soy AfroLatina and host of the From Hustler to Jefa podcast aka, my new favorite podcast. A new series of episodes that dives into REAL conversations on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Her storytelling is compelling, inspirational and educational - mix that with her experience as a business owner and it’s a podcast that should not be missed by jefas in training!
Pam Covarriubias of Cafe con Pam - dismantling the damages of Calladita Culture, one step at a time. Through her podcast Cafe con Pam and her work as a Liberation Business Coach, she is helping our comunidad break barriers and be more in tune with our mental health!
Zoila Darton of Word Agency - creator, connector and leader of an innovative team. She’s worked with brands like HBO, Nike, Converse, and Meta, to amplify the voices of people of color through WORD’s campaigns. According to The Mujerista’s feature on Zoila - in 2021, WORD gave a platform to 221 independent and small businesses, 99% of which were people of color or POC-owned small businesses. Zoila is a force.
Lyanne Alfaro of Moneda Moves - on a mission to help Latinos understand business and money - and our relationship to both. Talking about money-related things can be triggering or overwhelming for a lot of us and Lyanne’s way of sharing stories makes this information digestible and honestly addictive. Subscribe to her Substack and listen to her podcast!
Estrella Serrato of Cafecito con Estrellita - podcaster and content creator, Estrella makes the journey throughout school as a first-gen scholar a little less lonely. She’s like the big sister I wish I had when I was in college and she shares so many bits of educational and inspirational content through her social media and podcast episodes.
Marivette Navarrete of The Mujerista - the resilient and endlessly creative founder and editor of The Mujerista, the digital publication and network for Latinas, Marivette continues to inspire with the messages she shares through her platform. Most recently, through The Mujerista Mercado, she’s sharing the stories of Latina owned brands and uplifting their work.
Guisell Gomez of BeLatina - a mujer imparable, senior editor of BeLatina, what else can I say? It’s not easy be la jefa of such a groundbreaking media outlet, especially when there is so much going on in the world. With stories about what’s trending to thought pieces that change lives - you can count on BeLatina to publish them. Guisell is a rockstar.
Karina Mora of Elevating La Cultura - photographer, speaker and podcaster who is devoted to helping people reclaim their cultural legacies and elevating her native Mexican culture through in person experiences, workshops, and her show. This multi-hyphenate creative is dedicated to creating spaces for other creatives and is even building her own studio in Chicago to do just that! Listen to her podcast Elevating La Cultura here.
And there are so many more of us doing incredible work!
This is just a very small list of the powerhouses in our community that I am so very proud of and I look forward to highlighting more in different ways in the future.
Until next time… adelante!
xx,
Ashley
Your Business Hada Madrina 🧚