I was raised by the hardest working Latina entrepreneur on the planet.  She  baked and sold the most beautiful wedding, birthday and quinceañera cakes.  My mom also launched several home-based businesses selling hand-made crafts,  jewelry, Tupperware, Shaklee, Avon, Mary Kay, Home Interior, Princess House and managed to find the time to raise a family and help people in need in our community.   During the holidays she would make tamales  to share and for school fundraising.  Her drive and passion for entrepreneurship and social good lifestyle was passed on to my siblings and I.  As a child I use to watch her carry a notebook with lots of lists and wondered how to automate a lot of her administrative tasks of  setting up appointments, billing and collecting money.  I believe that is why I chose a career in Software Development & Engineering and I still code to automate a lot of my day to day technical tasks as a Telecommunications Engineer.

Today’s entrepreneurial Latina is a lot like yesterday’s savvy business woman, except we have a lot of tools at out disposal to automate and facilitate day to day tasks and enable us to focus on our goals.   Today’s Latina is entrepreneurial and Tech Savvy.  However, before many of us take the leap of faith to launch on our own or  to further our career path, we need  resources to help us build our networks and connect with like minded goal seekers.  We also need to sharpen our skills and  find communities with a solid foundation and support system.

ELLA Leadership Institute was born out of  similar drive and passion that is instilled in all hardworking and goal seeking Latinas.   ELLA Leadership Institute recently launched the  LATINAS THINK BIG™ national tour to inspire and showcase Latinas who are making a difference.     The second stop of a national and international TED-style tour showcasing innovative professional Latinas will be held on October 11.   I’m  really excited to attend the event and support the ELLA Institute initiatives as a Twitter Ambassador.  I will be joining over 150 attendees to connect  and celebrate Latinas who are breaking new ground.  I’m looking forward to the featured speakers and discussions about careers, business, entrepreneurship and innovation.   Whether you are planning on launching a business or need a word of encouragement from Latinas in Leadership, LATINAS THINK BIG event is for YOU.

The onsite event has SOLD-OUT.  However, you can join the conversation online via Google hangouts and Twitter and be a part of the life-changing virtual event.  I had the opportunity to join the historic LATINAS THINK BIG launch online and  felt like I had the best seats in the house.  I walked away with a lot of resources and inspiration to develop a business idea.   I also felt the presence of a sense of community among the attendees.

The Los Angeles tour was a historical event  and attended by over 100 empowered Latinas, including ten TWITTER AMBASSADORS.

LATINAS THINK BIG VIRTUAL TOUR – LOS ANGELES

EVENT HASHTAG: 
#LATINASTHINKBIG

EVENT AGENDA
4:00PM – 5:00PM New York Life Career Consulting Hour
5:00PM – 5:50PM Registration, Hors d’Oeuvres, Mingle & Live Band Music
6:00PM – 6:20PM Welcome Remarks
6:20PM – 7:40PM LATINAS THINK BIG™ Presentations
7:40PM – 8:00PM Monica Gil Interview
8:00PM – 8:25PM Awards Ceremony
8:25PM – 8:30PM Closing Remarks
8:30PM – 9:30PM Mingling with Presenters and Honorees

TWITTER AMBASSADORS
Jacky Diaz | @amigapreneur
Monique Frausto | @BLOGSbyLATINAS
Deborah Deras | @DeborahDeras
Eva Smith | @Eva_Smith
Gina Linn Espinoza | @ginalinn
Graciela Tscareno-Sato | @GraceTiscareno
Hilda Ramirez | @HildaRamirez1
LaLa Castro | @latinageeks
Nelly Cardinale | @nycrican2
Stephanie Bravo | @stephanierbravo

Question:  How have your parents inspired you to seek your career? What are some of the career and entrepreneurial areas you need leadership inspiration in?  Will you be attending the Latina Think Big Virtual Tour?