Business Fit Magazine January 2020 Issue 1 | Page 48

Interview
We can achieve
so much more
with laughter, joy
and meaning
We are still searching to find the most suitable
way to be powerfully present in the business
world. When women started to evolve as
leaders a few decades ago, it was by copying the
behaviour of our male counterparts, wearing
suits and being aggressively directive and that
affected our health.
I realise that life is not always a pathway
decorated with colourful flowers. Sometimes it
climbs, sometimes it descends and sometimes
you can’t see the road at all. But as you can see
though, I have a big smile. Women are naturally emotionally intelligent and
we are starting to be accepted and respected for
that, replacing competitivity with co-operation
and collaboration, understanding the power of
diversity. There is a new paradigm now, slowly
evolving, accepting that we can be different and
still be leaders. We are beginning to recognise
who we are, to create groups of like-minded
people and work with them. We are becoming
more aware. We have begun to be conscious of
the importance of treating people in a way they
like to be treated.
If you were in a jungle what
animal would you choose to be? Tell us about SHE and what you
have planned for 2020?
I would be an elephant in the jungle. A herd of
elephants protect one another. They are led
by the biggest and oldest and are always there
for each other. They are protective. They have
wisdom and intelligence. Together they are
better. This has always been my mantra.
What is your favourite quote
and why?
My favourite quote is one from Isaac Newton.
“If I have seen further than others, it is from
standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
I love it because it represents what I believe in.
Giants are taller, they are above us because of
their experience, they are people you want to
learn from, who have got where they are ahead
of me and I can use the knowledge they have to
help me grow further, they are the mentors.
This is the way I learned to become a mentor
and create my organisation for Hispanics
Entrepreneurs.
What do you think is the most
significant obstacle to female
leadership?
I think the negative thoughts that woman have
about themselves are the toughest obstacle to
their leadership. We are still struggling to believe
we are good enough. I believe in our DNA. We
have the ability to be leaders by our nature.
I dreamed of creating a platform for women where
they can find real supportive connections to
learn from and expand in personal and business
matters. In 2019, we had our fifth conference.
It was so beautiful, we had a full house, women
coming from other countries to meet year after
year. We have international women and men who
support these women and our expansion. I can
still hear the joy and laughter of everyone sharing
their stories, meeting again after a year. I feel that
my team and I have a created an oasis where
people can meet in an amazing conference and
every month, we create different circles around
the world.
The SHE membership is like a Chamber of
Commerce for Latina women, giving them the
opportunity to learn and connect with other
women. We have three levels of membership:
Gold, which is for women entrepreneurs who
have an idea and are looking to move it forward.
Platinum is for business women who are
established and are now looking to grow and
Diamond, which was established in 2019, is for
successful entrepreneurs who are now looking
to invest in other women and help them with
their business.
SHE is currently involved in negotiations for
more collaborations throughout 2020, so keep
following to see how things unfold and develop
throughout the year.
However, we will once again, have a two-day
event in Belgium in October. We are continuing
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