Cafe Con Pam Podcast

Listeners, we're back this week with Nico Estrella. Entrepreneur. Former professional soccer player in Ecuador. Co-founder & CMO of Waku, a beverage brand that’s creating economic impact in the communities of farmers in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Waku was considered one of the top 6 most impactful and promising startups of Boston at HUBWeek 2018, and was a finalist in MassChallenge 2019, because of the potential of growth and the social impact is creating in Ecuador. Motivated, optimistic and determined leader with great problem-solving skills developed through a background on business and marketing education, and on the multiple startups founded in the past. Passionate about the power of entrepreneurship and how it can create immense impact in the world.During our conversation, we talked about:His professional soccer careerKnowing when to leave soccer.Starting a business and the process.Making business decisions during the pandemic.Persevering despite the odds.And more... This episode is brought to

Listeners, we're back this week with Rudy Ruiz.Rudy Ruiz is a native of the Texas-Mexico border, born in Brownsville, Texas and raised along both sides of the Rio Grande. From an early age he dreamt of attending Harvard, a wild assertion in the eyes of his classmates and teachers, but his parents always taught him to believe in himself and his potential. He indeed earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Harvard, graduating with Honors. There he first studied Romance Languages and Literature and fell in love with magical realism as a style. His books of literary fiction and short stories have won numerous awards, including six International Latino Book Awards and the Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction. During our conversation, we talked about:Growing up by the borderGoing to HarvardHis love for writingHis dad as an inspirationAnd much more...This episode is brought to you by MagicMind is the world's first productivity drink.

Listeners, we're back this week with Michelle Morales.Michelle Morales, M.S., is an award winning professional salsa dancer, school psychologist, speaker, activist, and consultant. She guides people to embody their freedom through movement. Michelle has dedicated her life to advocating for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and folks with marginalized identities within the school system. She incorporates dance in her social-emotional curriculum to help students build self-confidence and learn effective problem-solving skills. She is passionate about helping parents, professionals, and educators lead with compassion and integrity when working with students with disabilities or social-emotional needs. During our conversation, we talked about:Growing up and being differentBelongingDancing and the healing powers of movementChoosing herself firstFriendshipsSystemic RacismAnd more...  This episode is brought to you by MagicMind is the world's first productivity drink.

Listeners, we're back this week with Lizbeth Ramirez.Lizbeth Ramirez has an extensive work history including having worked 11 sessions of the General Assembly at the Illinois State Capital and approximately three years in City Council of Chicago. Lizbeth served as a staff member for Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan for seven years overseeing chamber operations, committees and House Floor Liaison. Lizbeth currently serves as the Executive Director for the Democrats for the Illinois House under Speaker of the House Emanuel Chris Welch.In addition to her direct experience in government, Lizbeth has served as in-house lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison in Springfield, Cook County and the City of Chicago. Among numerous accomplishments an in-house Lobbyist, Lizbeth, worked to ensure the passage of the Future Energy Jobs (FEJA) legislation in 2016. Lizbeth oversaw ComEd’s Chicago North Redevelopment project from beginning to end, engaging local elected officials, community advocates and worked closely with t

Listeners we're back this week with a solo episode with Pam.Pam shows up with a bonus episode sampled from her private podcast feed where she shares her philosophy on business. During this episode, Pam shares her perspective on having a strong vision and aligning your offers with it. This is a shorty but goodie. To learn more about her private podcast feed you can sign up here. This episode is brought to you by MagicMind is the world's first productivity drink.

Listeners, we're back this week with Maria Brito.Maria Brito is an award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, author, and curator. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela. Brito has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of the 20 Power Players in the Art World she was named by ARTNEWS as one of the visionaries who gets to shape the art world.She has written for publications such as Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Elle, Forbes, Artnet, Cultured Magazine, Departures, and the Gulf Coast Journal of Literature and Fine Arts from the University of Houston, Texas. For several years, Maria has taught her creativity course in companies and, in 2019, she launched “Jumpstart”, an online program on creativity for entrepreneurs based on years of research and observation in both the areas of business and art. In 2019 she created and hosted "The "C" Files with Maria Brito", a TV and streaming series for PBS's new station "ALL ARTS".Maria and her projects have been featured extensively in national and int

Listeners, we're back this week with Aida Rodriguez. Aida Rodriguez is a Comedian, Writer, Actor, and Mother. Lauded by Esquire Magazine as “raucously funny,” she has become a favorite with fans and critics alike. With her first hour standup special set to premiere, her own TV series in development, both at HBO Max, and a deal for an animated series with ITV, Aida is bound for the comedy stratosphere.In 2020, Aida headlined the HBO LatinX standup special Entrenos while also appearing in Showtime’s Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam, one of only four women to have performed on the series in its 15 seasons. Prior to that, she had her own half hour special on Netflix’s hit comedy series They Ready, Executive Produced by Tiffany Haddish and Wanda Sykes. In reviews Decider gushed that the special “will have you laughing, crying and begging for more” and Esquire Magazine declared *“*This is Rodriguez's genius—using comedy to turn pain into progress, to give voice to the voiceless, and to laugh instead o

Listeners, we're back this week with Mike Alfaro.Mike Alfaro is the creator of "Millennial Lotería" a modern update to the classic Latinx card game that became a #1 Best Seller and sold out at every Target store in America. With over 10 years of agency experience as an award-winning Creative Director, Mike also brings a wealth of industry knowledge and Latinx insights to all his collaborations, including his skills as a video creator, copywriter, and graphic designer. Past collaborations include work for Honda, Walt Disney Pictures, DC Comics, HBO, Target, Maker's Mark Whiskey, and even a special commission by President Joe Biden. Relevant Timestamps:6:30 - His early work experiences8:07 - Wasn’t really expecting to become a business owner...9:02 - First investment10:35 - Representations of Latinidad12:25 - How Millenial Lotería came about22:25 - Making it a business24:22 - The biggest lesson with the first set36:56 - The power of Latinos...37:54 - Celebrating the growth40:39 - Relationship with Target This e

Listeners, we're back this week with N. Chloé Nwangwu.N. Chloé Nwangwu is a Brand Scientist, Digital Diplomacy (like actual diplomacy!) advisor and the founder of NobWorks, an evidence based brand advisory for historically underestimated public figures, leaders and their organizations. She believes brands not built with power dynamics and biases in mind need to be quarantined. Again.It's her personal mission to help historically underestimated leaders reclaim and command the influence they and their work deserve and need in order to have the kind of societal impact they want.Before starting her evidence based brand advisory, Chloé spent four years advising Israeli civil society groups and the local municipality in Tel Aviv, where she also contributed to track two final status peace negotiations. She has consulted on and developed programming around anti-bias and anti-discrimination as an Assistant Director at the Anti-Defamation League and mediated crisis level bias incidents in the aftermath of the 2016 pres

Listeners, we're back this week with Elisabet Velasquez.Elisabet Velasquez is a Boricua writer born in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Her work has been featured in Muzzle Magazine, Winter Tangerine, Latina Magazine, We Are Mitú, Tidal, and more. Her debut novel, WHEN WE MAKE IT, has been selected as an Indie Next selection and The New York Times named it as a new and upcoming book to watch for. You can find it wherever books are sold. During our conversation, we talked about:Growing up poorDiscovering writingPoetryElisabet's lineage and healing when going to Puerto RicoWriting as a careerAnd so much more! This episode is brought to you by Aligned Collective MastermindLet's embark on a journey of dismantling outdated business practices and oppressive marketing tactics. Let's decolonize and create liberated businesses together. Learn more and submit your application at alignedcollective.club Relevant Timetamps:5:48 - Her grandparent's immigration story11:51 - Her parents15:07 - Going to Puerto Rico16:31 - 'In Puerto Rico

Listeners, we're back this week with Diana Mendoza.Diana Mendoza, a mom to two daughters ages 9 and 21, wife to her husband of ten years, President of Media Latino, Inc for the past 15 years and her most recent endeavor and life purpose, owner and creator of Never Alone Candles. Being a two-time breast cancer survivor her goal is to inspire those around her that no matter how dark the darkness is, the light of a candle conquers all. As a proud Latina she is determined to leave a mark of her Ecuadorian roots with her two daughters. Diana loves to cook Ecuadorian food and her speciality is lechon, humitas and ron pope. In her free time, Diana loves to read, do pilates and travel.During our conversation, we talked about:Growing up LatinaLearning professional SpanishHer cancer diagnosisRaising her daughterStarting Never AloneAnd moreThis episode is brought to you by Aligned Collective MastermindLet's embark on a journey of dismantling outdated business practices and oppressive marketing tactics. Let's decolonize

Listeners, we're back this week with Brenda Jones.Brenda Jones is an award-winning political communicator, speechwriter and author who worked in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC for nearly 16 years. There she served as communications director, primary speechwriter and national media relations manager for an American icon, Rep. John Lewis. In 2015, she was named “One of the 20 Most Powerful Women Staffers on Capitol Hill” by National Journal magazine. In 2012, she won an NAACP Image Award for her collaboration with Lewis on Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change. And in 2010, she won the Theodore C. Sorenson Speechwriting Award. She is the founder and CEO of The John Lewis Institute of Peace, an American domestic peace organization. She holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was a Gertrude Manning Fellow, an MA in Journalism from the Alfred Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia University, and a BA in Journalism from Indiana University.Dur

Listeners, we're back this week with Luisa Mendoza.Luisa Mendoza is referred to as an innovative thought leader and disruptor, who has 20+ years of experience in global business development and marketing, with a focus on tourism and sports. Luisa graduated with a BS in Travel and Tourism Management from Florida International University. Because of her innovation and successful track record, Luisa was nominated as an Industry Impactor Honoree of the Microsoft Legacy Project – naming her as one of the most influential, groundbreaking Hispanic changemakers of our time.Mendoza served as BSE Global / Brooklyn Nets Director of Global Tourism Development, making her the first full-time tourism expert hired by a professional sports team in the U.S.A. during her tenure with the organization (2017-2019), she led the tourism marketing and sales initiatives which led for the Brooklyn Nets to more than triple revenue growth in sales from the global travel trade.Luisa’s 20+ years of experience in the tourism industry also

Listeners, we're back this week with Juleyka Lantigua.Juleyka Lantigua is the Founder and CEO of LWC Studios, an award-winning digital media studio whose original work reaches rising audiences with programming that has a social-justice vein. She created and executive produces 70 Million, the first open-source solutions journalism podcast chronicling how locals are tackling jail reform around the country. In 2020, LWC Studios received a Peabody Award nomination, earned silver in the audio documentary category at the New York International Radio Festival, and won “The Director’s Prize,” their first Third Coast award, also known as “The Oscars of Audio.” In 2021, “Driving the Green Book,” which she edited and the company produced for Macmillan Podcasts, earned the inaugural Ambie for Best History Podcast. A Fulbright Scholar, Tory Burch Fellow, and Stanford SLEI alumna, Juleyka holds a BA from Skidmore College, a Master’s in Journalism from Boston University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. 

Listeners, we're back this week with Kayla Nedza.Kayla Nedza is the author of Things I Could Never Thank You For and soon-to-be Glass Walls. A speaker, thought leader, and podcast host of the Wellness Glow Up Podcast, she is also the founder of Wellness Glow Up Media, an all-women-led media company whose mission is to create content centered around celebrating our wholeness as women of color. She lives in New Jersey with her soon-to-be dog.During our conversation, we talked about:We catch up from Kayla's first time at Cafe con Pam on episode 136Her new bookHer Latina experienceSelf-loveSelf-acceptanceLiberationThis episode is brought to you by the Small Biz Sponsorship ProgramThis awesome opportunity has opened up for small businesses who would like their product or service highlighted during Cafe con Pam episodes. Share your business with Cafe con Pam listeners today!  Follow Kayla on all things social:TwitterFacebookInstagramWebsiteWellness Glow Up PodcastWellness Glow Up InstagramWellness Glow Up YouTube F

Listeners, we're back this week with Charo Henríquez.Charo Henríquez is a digital media executive based in New York City. She has extensive experience working at the intersection of journalism and technology, as well as coaching and mentoring journalists. She is an advocate for women, BIPOC, the intersection of the two and other underrepresented communities in media leadership.She currently works at The New York Times as Editor of Newsroom Development and Support and is a fellow in 2021's class of the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program at Columbia University.Charo started at the Times in 2017, as Sr. Editor of Digital Storytelling and Training and also worked as Senior Editor of Digital Transition Strategy on the organization's Digital Transition team.Charo is also the Secretary of Online News Association's Executive Board of Directors and a member of the Advisory Council Board to the Spanish-language Journalism Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School one of Journalism at the City University of New

Listeners, we're back this week with Ruben Flores-Martinez.At age 13, Ruben and his family immigrated to the states from Guadalajara, Mexico. Unable to fulfill his dream of going to college for Computer Science due to his immigration status, Ruben began watching YouTube videos on coding and taught himself how to build websites and mobile apps. A few years later, his determination led him to develop CASHDROP, a mobile-first contactless commerce platform targeted at small business owners. Ruben represents less than 2.6% of LatinX founders who have received VC funding. To date, the app has raised $2.7 million in capital. Major investors include hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman, Youtube pioneer Michelle Phan, and Stalwart Silicon Valley investor and founder Cyan Banister.During our conversation, we talked about:Being an immigrantPoppy seed syndromeYouTube UniversityRaising capitalBeing a Latino founderThis episode is brought to you by MagicMindMagicMind is the world's first productivity drink.

October 21, 2021 is the day a Latina would make $1 compared to an average non-Hispanic white man who'd make $1 on January 1. Latinas are still the most underpaid demographic in the United States. Jessica from The Wine and Chisme Podcast and I joined forces to create an experience in San Diego on October 22, and you are invited.Learn how we decided to make this event happen and why it is important for us to start spending our dollars on us. Register to Latina Equal Payday Experience Here Follow Cafe con Pam on all things socialInstagramFacebookhttp://cafeconpam.com/Join the FREE Cafe con Pam Challenge If you are a business owner, join us for Aligned MastermindJoin PowerSisters! PowerSisters.ClubSubscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with someone you love!And don't ever forget to Stay Shining! Thanks to our monthly supporters David HaberstockMartha Alonzo-JohnsenAida JarrettMaribel LaraBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cafe-con-pam--6348411/support.

Listeners, we're back this week with Angel Aviles.In the early 90s, Angel Aviles boldly decided to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. The Bronx native moved from New York City to Hollywood, and landed roles on projects with up-and-coming directors like Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Michael Patrick King, and many others. In 1993, she nabbed a starring role in the cult classic “Mi Vida Loca,” directed and written by award-winning filmmaker Allison Anders. Her big break in the role of “Sad Girl” cemented Aviles legacy in Chicano culture.Following her acting career, Aviles became an entrepreneur. Today, she is a transformational life coach, a motivational speaker, and an advocate for social justice, leading workshops and master classes and encouraging others to live their best lives.The former actress-turned-life coach is the author of “Too Happy to Be Sad Girl,” The title is a nod to Aviles’ most famous role in “Mi Vida Loca.”“Mi Vida Loca,” centers around young Mexicanas and Latinas growing up in t

Listeners, we're back this week with Norma Newton.Norma is a former attorney, New York Times published writer and Latinx-book publisher. She is also a first gen, avid reader and artivist. Her heart is in L.A. with her family and multiple plants. When she isn’t reading, Norma can be found in a museum or practicing yoga. During our conversation, we talked about:Growing up in a small town in CaliforniaLeaving town to go to collegeChallenging limiting beliefsHer New York Times essay about colorismEmbracing her heritageStarting her book publishing company, Fabian Flores This episode is brought to you by Apotheosis ArtApotheosis Art was born out of a desire to cultivate an artistic community focused on passion, curiosity, and eagerness. The gallery's founding concepts are rooted in encouraging and fostering young, talented artists, exploring new avenues to increase dialogue, and providing a platform to discover, engage, and educate people in art.Get FREE SHIPPING using the code: CCP111MagicMindMagicMind is the worl