In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Leon, a true hustler who's been grinding since she was 12 years old. From cleaning houses to starting her first business in her living room, Nicole skipped the traditional college route and bet on herself. Fast forward to today, and this Puerto Rican powerhouse has built two six-figure businesses—Lash and L Leon Virtual Assistance—all while navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Nicole shares how she kept her business afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic, turned social media and word of mouth into her biggest strategies for booking clients, and redefined the American dream.In this episode:- Nicole’s journey from baking cakes as a 12-year-old hustler to running two six-figure businesses in totally different industries (no college degree required.)- How her first business, Lash, survived the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed her to quit her full-time job.- Her tried-and-true formula for business growth: authenticity, word of mouth, and the power of social media.- Plus, Nicole gets personal about choosing her own path—leaving a safe but unfulfilling marriage, starting a family on her own terms, and totally rewriting what the “American dream” looks like to her.You’ll walk away with practical career tips on:- Developing multiple skills through side hustles and gig work - Leaning into your strengths and superpowers to build unique business services- Leveraging social media and authentic word-of-mouth to organically grow your client base - Overcoming the fear of failure and ambiguity as an entrepreneurConnect with Nicole:Personal Instagram: @nicoleleonxoBusiness Instagram: @lleonvirtualassistancePersonal LinkedIn: Nicole LeonBusiness LinkedIn: L Leon Virtual AssistanceWebsite: NicoleLeon.coConnect with Fiorella: Website and resources: https://linktr.ee/fiorellalopezlima Book Free Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/info-71xn/discovery-call-individual?month=2024-08Download Your Free Latina Career Playbook: https://www.fiorellalopez.com/latina-career-playbookYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourspicylatinapodFollow my socials for career advice: Instagram (@notyourspicylatinapod and @latinasahead) and Tik Tok (@notyourspicylatinapod and @fiorellalopezlima)Timestamps(00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina(00:57) Episode Overview(02:32) Early Hustle: Starting at 12 and Being Money-Driven(05:04) Challenges in Corporate America(08:13) Launching Her First Business: Lash(11:00) Navigating COVID-19 and Keeping Her Business Alive(14:08) Leveraging Social Media and Word of Mouth to Grow(15:36) Starting Her Second Business: L Leon Virtual Assistance(21:40) Authenticity as the Foundation of Success(23:43) Empowering Women and Building Community(25:48) Breaking Cultural Norms After Her Divorce(35:35) Redefining What the American Dream Means(37:38) Practical Advice for Listeners(38:52) Connect with Nicole(39:29) Connect with Fiorella

Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, only to realize it was the beginning of something extraordinary? In this episode, we uncover the inspiring journey of Ana Gabriela, an immigration attorney who went from living in survival mode as a child in Guatemala to reclaiming her voice and building a successful law career in the US. Ana opens up about the moment her picture-perfect life crumbled overnight, forcing her to redefine the American dream and find strength she didn’t know she had. Along the way, she discovered the importance of listening to her intuition, putting herself first, and reigniting the fire within her. If you’ve ever wondered how to take back your power and truly find your voice, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.In this episode:- Gabriela’s challenging upbringing in Guatemala and the transformative experience of moving to the U.S. as a teenager.- Navigating the tough transition from high school to becoming a successful immigration attorney, despite facing discouragement.- Her powerful decision to leave an unfulfilling marriage and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.- The pivotal life events that led Gabriela to establish a nonprofit aimed at empowering women to rebuild their lives and find strength after abusive relationships.- How Gabriela is redefining her dreams, focusing on self-love, and living authentically after overcoming life-altering hardships.You’ll walk away with practical career tips on:- Challenging societal and self-imposed limitations that hinder your career growth- Seeking mentors who inspire and guide you through your career challenges- Building resilience by learning from personal adversities- Pursuing educational opportunities to expand your horizons- Participating in pro bono activities or community service to give back while expanding your experience and network in the fieldConnect with Fiorella:Download Your Free Latina Career PlaybookJoin Our Newsletter⁠Website⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠Timestamps(00:00) Teaser(00:23) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina(01:14) Episode Overview(02:07) Episode Kickoff(02:13) Upbringing in Guatemala & Survival Mode (04:50) Moving to the U.S. & Family Dynamics (06:53) High School Experience(09:03) Passion for Immigration Law(12:19) College Journey & Mentoring Impact(14:45) Navigating Law School(18:10) Career Breakthrough in Business Immigration(22:14) Personal Growth and Healing Journey(31:15) Community and New Beginnings(32:56) Founding Nonprofit & Empowering Women(39:35) Advice for Listeners(41:11) Connecting with Gabriela(42:03) Connecting with Fiorella

Have you ever dreamed of turning your passion for helping others into a career that uplifts your community? Alondra did just that. As an immigrant from Mexico growing up in the Midwest, she faced the unique challenges of being a first-generation college student. Now, as a Career Coach and Founder of Soluna Career Consulting, Alondra helps BIPOC and first-gen professionals land their next job. This episode is packed with career advice: staying resilient during your job search, interviewing with confidence, exploring new career opportunities—even when it’s scary—and building a community that celebrates collaboration over competition. If you’re ready to rewrite your career story, this one’s for you. In this episode:- Alondra's journey from Mexico to Iowa, where her love for education changed her life forever.- Her experience as a first-generation college student and the importance of finding your people.- How her career path from prevention educator to school counselor ignited her passion for impactful community work. - Alondra’s fearless leap into entrepreneurship and how she’s building a supportive network for BIPOC professionals.- Actionable advice on navigating the job market, crushing interviews, and keeping a positive mindset.You’ll walk away with practical career tips on:- Turning fear into fuel to make bold career moves- Shifting from a scarcity mindset to believing in abundant opportunities- Finding allies and sponsors who help push your career forward- Breaking the cycle of competition and lifting each other up in the workplaceConnect with Alondra:LinkedInInstagramConnect with Fiorella:⁠Website⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠Timestamps(00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina(00:51) Episode Overview(01:38) Episode Kickoff(01:54) Moving to the U.S. from Mexico(02:47) Early Childhood & Education Experiences (04:32) High School & College Years(10:16) Journalism Interest Before Pivoting(12:14) First Job After College: Prevention Educator(15:27) School Counseling & Career Coaching(19:21) Why Representation Matters (20:10) The Vision Behind Soluna Career Consulting(22:24) Job Search & Interviewing Advice(32:18) Mindset and Manifesting Abundance as Entrepreneurs(35:44) Advice for Listeners(37:22) Connecting with Alondra(37:52) Connecting with Fiorella

Ever wondered how to juggle a thriving 9-to-5 career while pursuing your passion project? Meet Bianca Alba, a public health baddie by day and a travel podcaster by night. In this episode, Bianca shares her inspiring journey—from working on the frontlines of major public health crises like the Zika outbreak and COVID-19 to creating This Latina Travels, a podcast dedicated to empowering women of color to explore the world fearlessly. We dive into her roots in Bolivia, her experiences as a first-generation Latina college graduate, and how she discovered self-love while starting fresh in a new city. With six continents under her belt, Bianca is on a mission to break barriers so more mujeres like us can take up space across the globe. Tune in for real talk on public health, travel, and balancing work with a side hustle—one passport stamp at a time!In this episode:- How this first-gen Boliviana transformed a CDC deployment to Puerto Rico into her dream life- The inspiring journey behind the creation of This Latina Travels podcast- Balancing life as a “public health baddie by day” and “a full-time traveler around the clock”- Real talk on breaking barriers in federal spaces that lack Latina leadership- Why time—not money—is the ultimate key to exploring the worldYou’ll walk away with practical career tips on:- Using your day job strategically while pursuing passion projects- Finding jobs and employers that fit your lifestyle- Building authentic connections and community before you even need them- Taking calculated risks in your career and stepping outside your comfort zone - Creating a sustainable career path that enables personal growthConnect with Bianca:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTikTokXWebsiteConnect with Fiorella Lopez Lima:⁠Website⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠Timestamps(00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina(00:51) Episode Overview(01:45) Episode Kickoff(02:51) Childhood & Upbringing (06:39) College Experience as a First Gen Latina (10:35) Master’s Degree & Starting a Career in Public Health(13:17) Self-Discovery in a New City (17:01) Deployment to Puerto Rico & Career Growth(21:36) Creating This Latina Travels During COVID-19(29:08) Balancing Full-Time Job and Travel Podcast (31:35) What’s Next for This Latina Travels(32:57) Advice for Listeners(34:02) Connecting with Bianca(34:51) Connecting with Fiorella

From working at a Big 4 accounting firm to winning Bad Bunny's TikTok contest, Sophia’s journey shows that anything is possible! What started as a mission to make new friends in New York City became Corporate Pero Latinos—a thriving nonprofit and ultimate hub for Latino professionals. In this episode, Sophia spills the tea about quitting her corporate job, maxing out credit cards, and working at a gym to keep her dream alive. Now with 700+ active members, three chapters, a scholarship fund, and programs empowering the next generation of Latinos, Sophia is proof that taking risks can pay off. Whether you're building something from scratch or navigating corporate America, get ready for some real talk about grit, resilience, and the power of community. In this episode: How Sophia went from small-town Texas to the Big Apple The accidental birth of Corporate Pero Latinos (CPL) The real (and sometimes messy) story behind running a nonprofit All the cool stuff CPL does now: throwing epic carne asadas, helping Latino professionals level up their careers, and giving back through ESL classes and scholarships. The behind-the-scenes tea on building a thriving community. You’ll walk away with these practical career tips: Get your money right before taking a big career leap or starting a passion project Build your network through genuine friendships Don’t be afraid of "smaller" jobs: no job is beneath you when you’re chasing a bigger dream. Use every experience to your advantage Know when to quit and move on Connect with Sophia: Tik Tok (personal) Instagram (personal) Tik Tok (CPL) Instagram (CPL) Website Connect with Fiorella: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Linktree⁠ ⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠ ⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠ Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina (00:51) Episode Overview (01:42) Episode Kickoff (01:52) Growing Up in Texas  (03:01) Moving to NYC & Joining ALPFA (04:56) Entering Big 4 Accounting World (05:49) Navigating Corporate Identity as a Latina  (09:53) Birth of Corporate Pero Latinos (CPL)  (13:43) Becoming a Community Builder (17:15) Establishing CPL as a Nonprofit Organization  (20:29) Financial Struggles & Mental Health (27:16) Finding Balance Between CPL and Full-Time Job (28:13) CPL's Mission and Pillars  (30:12) Advice for Listeners (31:02) Connecting with Sophia (31:50) Connecting with Fiorella

Ever wondered how to make a career change and land your dream job? In this episode, Allison Mendoza shares her inspiring journey of leaving a high-paying career on Wall Street at 27 years old to follow her passion for fashion design, ultimately becoming an Associate Vice President at Victoria's Secret. She turned what began as a two-week temporary assignment into a 14-year career with one of the world’s leading fashion brands. As the daughter of Peruvian immigrants, Allison reflects on how she balanced cultural expectations with her creative ambitions and how her grandmother's entrepreneurial spirit influenced her career path. Whether you're considering a career transition or looking to grow in your current role, this episode is packed with actionable tips on breaking into a new industry, networking, developing emotional intelligence for effective leadership, and maintaining an open mindset when pursuing new opportunities. In this episode: - Allison's journey from a successful career in finance to pursuing her passion in fashion design, including how she navigated this major career transition at age 27. - Her experience leveraging unpaid internships, retail jobs, and a two-week temporary assignment to becoming Associate Vice President at Victoria's Secret. - Valuable insights on emotional intelligence, active listening, and leadership skills that helped her advance in her career. - Her perspective on taking risks and the importance of seeing the bigger picture early in your career. - Key advice for career transitioners on using social media to network, staying open to opportunities, and not being afraid to start over at any age. You’ll walk away with practical career tips on: - Saying "yes" to any opportunity that comes your way - even a small 2-week gig could turn into your dream career (just like Ali's journey from temp to executive!). - Breaking out of self-imposed limitations and maintaining an open, growth mindset when transitioning careers or facing setbacks. - Leveling up your people skills - emotional intelligence and active listening will take you further than technical skills alone. - Putting yourself out there and connecting with people - slide into those LinkedIn DMs and don't be afraid to cold reach out (the worst they can say is no!). - Learning how to connect the dots and seeing the bigger picture. Connect with Allison: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Instagram Connect with Fiorella: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Linktree⁠ ⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠ ⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠ Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina (00:51) Episode Overview (01:29) Episode Kickoff (01:45) Childhood Experiences: Using Visual Communication to Learn English & Being the Eldest Daughter (04:08) Pursuing a Stable Finance Career (06:07) Changing Careers to Fashion Design (15:18) Breaking into the Fashion Industry: Landing a Job at Victoria’s Secret (20:29) Leadership & Emotional Intelligence (23:12) Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations (24:01) The Importance of Seeing the Big Picture (25:13) A Proud Moment: Seeing My First Product in Stores (26:10) Starting a New Chapter (27:20) Advice for Career Transition & Leadership (29:29) Connecting with Allison (30:51) Connecting with Fiorella

Ever wondered what it really takes to find your voice and thrive as a Latina at work? In this episode, my friend Alondra takes over the mic to interview me, your Latina career coach and podcast host. We dive into my journey of moving to the United States at 14, overcoming workplace discrimination, and building the confidence to stand tall in rooms where I once felt invisible. I also share my vision for empowering Latinas through my coaching business, Latinas Ahead, and creating a meaningful community where we can all rise together. Plus, don’t miss actionable career tips on advocating for yourself at work, building social capital, and boosting your self-confidence. In this episode: My vision for merging Not Your Spicy Latina with Latinas Ahead to create a meaningful community for Latina entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers. The unique challenges Latinas face in building community and how to overcome them. My personal story of moving to the United States at age 14 and finding community in the math club as an immigrant high schooler. My experience navigating toxic work environments and workplace discrimination. How I gained self-confidence at work and started advocating for myself. You’ll walk away with practical career tips on: Shifting away from the immigrant mindset of simply feeling grateful for opportunities. Recognizing and asserting your worth, especially when it comes to promotions and salary negotiations, to avoid being underpaid or undervalued. Actively seeking inclusive workplaces where diverse perspectives are valued. Forming strong relationships with colleagues from the start to gain respect and allies. Connect with Fiorella: WebsiteLinktreeBook Free Discovery CallYouTubeLinkedInInstagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)Instagram (Latinas Ahead)TikTok (Not Your Spicy Latina)TikTok (Fiorella Lopez Lima) Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina (00:51) Episode Overview (01:34) Episode Kickoff (02:11) How to Create a Thriving Community for Latinas (05:50) My Immigration Story: Moving to the U.S. at 14 (07:18) Finding Belonging in Unexpected Places: The Math Club (09:42) The Struggle to Fit Into Workplace Cultures (12:28) What Makes an Inclusive Work Environment? (13:42) Advice for Young Latinas Starting Their Careers (16:08) Recognizing and Overcoming Workplace Discrimination (21:06) How to Disrupt Workplace Culture Positively (21:42) Building Social Capital: Networking Tips for Latinas (26:22) Prioritizing Self-Care as a Latina Professional (29:29) Connecting with Fiorella

Gigi is a multi-hyphenate expert dedicated to building thoughtfully curated, people-centered, and visually addictive brands. With a rich blend of agency and in-house experience, she’s driven impactful projects across digital, print, branding, UX/UI, content creation and more. As Director of Brand and Creative Services at BrainTrust Founders Studio, Gigi supports inclusive beauty and wellness founders, collaborating with brands like Cantu Beauty, Flawless by Gabrielle Union, and media outlets such as the LA Times. Based in Los Angeles, Gigi enjoys creative projects hosting dinner parties for her queer inner circle. Chapters (0:00) - Intro (2:10) - Catching up with Gigi (3:57) - Childhood and Upbringing (7:30) - Navigating Dual Identity (11:11) - Musically Inclined Family: Singing, Dancing, Acting (14:11) - Family Pressure to Study Science (18:00) - Psychology Major as Me-Search (20:22) - Coming Out to My Family (24:48) - Anxiety Post-Graduation & Making Ends Meet (26:24) - Discovering Marketing as a Career Path (29:48) - Gaining Career Confidence (32:42) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (37:39) - Being a Triple Minority: Woman, Latina, Gay (41:38) - Current Marketing Role at BrainTrust Founders Studio (43:06) - Benefits of Being a Generalist (46:13) - Secret to My Career Success (48:39) - Connecting with My Peruvian Heritage (52:04) - Advice for Listeners (53:00) - Connecting with Gigi (54:20) - Connecting with Fiorella Feel free to connect with Gigi Instagram Feel free to connect with Fiorella Lopez Lima: ⁠ Website⁠ ⁠ Linktree⁠ ⁠ Free Career Coaching Discovery Call⁠  ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠  Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina) Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima) ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Adriana, also known as Adri Maria, is your everyday Bronx girl. As a true New Yorker, hustling is in her blood, with a relentless passion to succeed in any task. She’s innovative, personable, and pertinacious. With a resilient spirit and spunky zeal, she’s taken her talents across the US. Living by "Faith over Fear," she believes her path is already created and just keeps moving forward. Risk-taking has been vital in her life, and she loves sharing her story. Founder of @Catchmesaying, Adri Maria Consulting, and author of Regular Degular Stories About A Girl From The Bronx, she knows her success is tied to the success of others she connects with. Chapters (0:00) Introduction (2:06) Catching Up with Adri (5:17) Growing Up in NY and Mexico (8:14) Hustler Mentality and Money Mindset (12:31) Home is Where My Mom Is (14:19) Initial Passion for Education (16:05) Becoming a Social Worker (23:00) The Ups and Downs of Being a Social Worker (25:50) Code Switching in Professional Environments (29:07) Starting My Own Business to Make Six Figures (33:22) How I Work With Clients: Educational Programming, Coaching, and Workshops (37:30) My Book Journey (42:46) Healing Through Writing (46:16) My Titles Don’t Define Me (47:42) My Faith, My Life’s Purpose (49:12) Advice for Listeners (50:27) Connecting with Adri (51:56) Connecting with Fiorella Feel free to connect with Adri: Website Instagram @catchmesaying Instagram@adrimaria_consulting Buy Adri's Book Here Feel free to connect with Fiorella Lopez Lima: ⁠ Website⁠ ⁠ Linktree⁠ ⁠ Free Career Coaching Discovery Call⁠  ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠  Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina) Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima) ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Hilda Perez is a proud Dominican-American entrepreneur with a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and over 15 years of experience running a legacy business. As COO of SALUD and with a passion for social change, she dedicates herself to uplifting BIPOC communities and honoring her heritage. In 2014, she co-founded Savvy – Marketing for Good to drive social ventures with strategic marketing, and she actively pursues food equity and advocacy through ongoing education. Outside of work, Hilda enjoys hiking with her dog Sadie, traveling, and cooking – all experiences that fuel her creativity and passion for social impact. Chapters (0:00) Intro (2:20) Checking-in with Hilda (3:20) Childhood and Upbringing (5:47) Origins of My Family Business: SALUD (7:52) Serving Latino Community Through Supplements and Natural Wellness Products (10:46) How Can We Afford and Access Healthy Products? (15:33) My Journey Joining the Family Business (19:00) College Experience (21:00) What is Social Entrepreneurship? (22:34) Social Entrepreneurship That Actually Works (27:13) Putting My Degree to Work After Graduation (29:05) Launching My Own Business: Savvy - Marketing for Good (33:54) Lessons from My Early Days as a Social Entrepreneur (36:26) Protecting My Mental Health (40:34) Returning to My Family Business as Chief Operating Officer (44:00) Growing SALUD: Digital Transformation and Nutrition Expertise (49:10) Ongoing Education in Sustainable Agriculture (50:54) The Excitement of Social Entrepreneurship (54:42) Advice for Listeners (56:36) Connecting with Hilda (57:47) Connecting with Fiorella Feel free to connect with Hilda: LinkedIn Website Instagram (Salud) Instagram (Hilda) Feel free to connect with Fiorella Lopez Lima: ⁠ Website⁠ ⁠ Linktree⁠ ⁠ Free Career Coaching Discovery Call⁠  ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠ ⁠ Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠  Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina) Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima) ⁠LinkedIn⁠