LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 8

Letter from la editora - Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla Saludos my friends! Welcome to our 18th Anniversary edition….. It’s hard to believe that 18 years have gone by since I started this magazine. So much has changed throughout the years, but some things haven’t changed., like my love and commitment to sharing great inspirational stories with you all, has not changed – I am honored and blessed to be able to reach out and communicate with you – I was an entrepreneur long before it became popular. I think I was born with a love for business. I remember the first time I heard the term, it was at an event, where someone asked me how long I had been an entrepreneur. Lol, Thank God for quick wit as I responded “I’ve had my own business since I was about 17 years old.” I was thrity-one years old when I started Latin Times Magazine, and I had just recently relocated to Tampa, Florida from Chicago, Illinois. I was a single mom to my 5-year-old son; Nikko and we often traveled from Tampa to the Or- lando / Kissimmee area to visit family, and lived in each area for a few years at a time. It was so hard in the beginning – the struggle to build a business in a new state and I often wanted to just give up. Of course the only thing that I could never do is give-up on something I loved and believed in. Can you imagine if I had? I am so grateful to God for giving me the strength to fight the good fight – and that HE was always with me, through the good, and through the bad, and that even the bad he somehow turned into good…. This morning, I was speaking about this very subject to my daughter Victoria, telling her about hanging in there espe- cially when the going gets tough, and not giving up because, in the end, you get out, what you put in. There is no ifs, ands or BUTS! If you start something and give up – then you have to start over…….too many of those is a waste of time, instead you have to hang in there and get past the tough times, making yourself stronger, wiser – more resilient and reaching bigger and better goals. That is why I am very proud to present to you this issue to you featuring my Annual Top 25 Latina Movers N’ Shakers edition of Latin Times Magazine. These ladies; some are my amigas for many years now, while others are new amigas. Why did we choose them? We chose them because they are leaders, they are MOVERS N’ Shakers in Goverment, Business, Community Services, Politics, Marketing and even surviving Cancer. I have watched them and have seen their love and passion for what they do, they are admirable, and inspiring. They reach for the Universe to make sure they reach the stars in the sky…. In other words, they work really hard, and have learned how to overcome obstacles, recognize opportunities and embrace the beauty that is our culture -each one is making a difference in their industry. On the Cover, I am so excited to feature my good friend, 7x Emmy Winner Lissette Campos-Perez. Lissette has been an instrumental person in Tampa Bay’s Hispanic communities, and I am so happy to be able to feature her story, amoung the other stories of all the other talented, hardworking and beautiful Latina’s compiled here! Let me tell you that, in the interest of space, I am only featuring 25 of Florida’s TOP Latina Movers N Shakers, pero there is a lot more Florida Latina Mover’s N Shakers out there – so for the ones not featured this year, keep up the great work and we are sure to feature you in 2020! It is with great honor and joy that I will be presenting the Lideres Awards , to all these beautiful and fabulous ladies! These awards serve as a testament to the recipients, they have touched lives, they have changed lives, and they have made a difference. The Awards event is by INVITE ONLY. Limited tickets are available for purchase. To request an invitation, email me at [email protected] Que Mas…. We are gearing up to host our Newest festival! Taste of Latino: Food, Wine, Art & Music Festival which will take place on Sunday, October 20th at Centennial Park in Historic Ybor City, Florida. PLUS we are also already working on our 5th annual Metro Orlando/Kissimmee Cuban Sandwich Festival, and our 9th annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival! For these and other great events, check out our full Calendar of Events at www.LatinTimesMedia.com Gracias y God Bless u! -Jolie