Not Your Spicy Latina
Fiorella Lopez Lima | Career Coach & Founder of Latinas Ahead
Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina—a podcast redefining career success for Latinas everywhere. I’m Fiorella, Career Coach and Founder of Latinas Ahead. Each episode, I sit down with badass Latina entrepreneurs, creators, and change-makers who are challenging stereotypes and building successful careers on their own terms. If you’ve ever felt underestimated or straight-up overlooked at work, this podcast is for you. Tune in for real-talk career advice from Latinas who get you, and just enough spice to light a fire in your career. Así que ponte cómoda, grab your cafecito, and let’s get to it!
15: How a Big 4 Accountant Turned TikToker Became a Nonprofit CEO | Sophia Zarate
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
Feb 4, • 32:33
14: How I Changed Careers from Finance to Fashion Design | Allison Mendoza
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 b
Jan 21, • 32:22
13: Meet Your Latina Career Coach & Podcast Host | Fiorella Lopez Lima
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 comm
Jan 7, • 30:14
12: Triple Minority, Triple Threat w/Gigi Vega
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 suc
Dec 2, 2024 • 55:04
11: How a Bronx’s Girl Hustle and Faith Fueled Her Success w/Adri Maria Ortiz
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 Mari
Nov 19, 2024 • 52:21
10: My Journey as a Social Entrepreneur in Holistic Medicine w/Hilda Perez
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
Nov 12, 2024 • 58:11
9: Finding My Career Spark in Experiential Marketing & Creating Events That Pop w/Sabrina Ramos
Sabrina Ramos is the founder and creative director of Pop Spark Agency, an imaginative experiential marketing firm in NYC that delivers solutions to unique business challenges. With over 20 years of experience producing dynamic events, Sabrina is a natural problem solver and a master at turning ideas into impactful experiences that amplify brand recognition. Proud of her Colombian and Peruvian heritage, she believes that the real magic lies where a business’s strengths meet community needs. At
Nov 5, 2024 • 57:23
8: How I Became Successful Without a College Degree by Owning My Confidence & Taking Up Space w/Laura Bedoya
Laura Bedoya is Colombian-born but New York-raised. With five years of experience in tech, she currently works as a Senior Manager leading a global support team at a startup. With 13 years of experience in customer-facing roles, she has developed extensive expertise in customer service. Laura’s professional mission is to build teams with realistic goals while reminding them that everyone, including the person on the other side of the support chat, is human. On a personal level, she’s committed t
Oct 29, 2024 • 1:20:53
7: How Philanthropy and 9/11 Attacks Shaped Me as a Human Resources Leader w/Allyns Melendez
Allyns Melendez is the daughter of Dominican parents and was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She brings over 25 years of expertise in HR and business management, holding an MBA from Temple University's Fox School of Business. She is certified in workplace behavior analysis, leadership, and flow coaching, and has completed leadership programs at Cornell, Harvard, and MIT. Currently, Allyns is the CEO of HR Transformed and a Professor at Temple University. She also serves on the Professional Advi
Oct 22, 2024 • 1:18:54
6: How I Broke Barriers as a First-Generation Latina Lawyer with Elizabeth Milian
Elizabeth Milian is a brand protection attorney of Bolivian heritage and the first woman lawyer and business owner in her family. As the co-founder of The Milian Legal Group, a business and intellectual property law firm, Elizabeth's mission is to help women protect, grow, and monetize their brands through trademark protection and licensing agreements. With a focus on brand sustainability, Elizabeth creates personalized legal strategies that empower clients to build strong, legally protected bra
Oct 15, 2024 • 1:14:36
5: How I Built a 60K-Member Community Through Amigas Latinas w/ Dani Araya Molina
Dani Araya Molina is a Costa Rican native now living in NYC. She is the founder of Amigas Latinas, an organization of 60,000 Latinas worldwide, a customer success consultant, and a proud dog and cat mom. She loves connecting with other Latinas and amplifying their voices. Episode Chapters: (00:00-01:35) Intro (01:36-03:28) Catching up with Dani (03:29-04:52) Childhood (04:53-07:47) Navigating Identity in Predominantly White Neighborhoods (07:48-10:19) What Dani Wanted to Be When She Grew U
Oct 7, 2024 • 1:18:44
4: How a Positive Mindset Made Me a Socially Responsible Coffee Entrepreneur with Stephanie Herrera
Stephanie Herrera is a first-generation Latina from Salvadoran immigrant parents, a loving wife, and a proud mom of three. She is bringing her dreams to life as the CEO and Founder of 503 Cafecito and Elev8 Your Way. Taking charge of her life and building the career and life of her dreams, Stephanie combines her Salvadoran heritage with over 20 years of corporate experience. She balances her entrepreneurial journey with her family's support and inspiration. Episode Chapters: 02:41: Catching up
Oct 1, 2024 • 1:18:34
3: How a Mental Health Breakthrough Led to a Copywriting Career with Mayra Gomez-Sanchez
A second-generation Mexican-American, Mayra is a launch and sales conversion copywriter, marketing strategist, and CEO & Founder of Cultural Visionaries, where she connects the public to diversity-driven leaders by writing culturally relevant and genuine copy. She believes that authentic marketing to today's diverse public can help bridge the cultural divide we see today, making the realm of marketing a place where all business owners can come together and create a space of inclusivity for every
Sep 18, 2024 • 1:07:10
2: How Mindfulness and Spirituality Transformed My Life with Angelica Sanchez
Born and raised in Mexico, Angelica Sanchez is a Meditation Facilitator, Digital Marketer, yoga enthusiast, and most recently, a passionate traveler. For the past three years, Angelica has been sharing her passion for meditation as a side hustle while building a career in digital marketing. Angel loves exploring new cities, delving into spirituality, meeting new people, hiking, and soaking in beautiful sunsets. Episode Chapters: 0:00 - Intros 03:17 - How I Met Angelica 07:26 - How Angelica Foun
Sep 18, 2024 • 1:10:46
1: How I Transitioned My Career From Nonprofit to Tech to Entrepreneurship with Natalie Madrigal
Meet Natalie Madrigal, the face behind Perfect Your CX, where she creates unforgettable customer experiences that drive loyalty and business growth. With over a decade of experience, Natalie has a knack for transforming clients into raving fans through her unique blend of empathy, creativity, and strategic smarts, all while staying true to her value of "keeping it real." A proud Afro-Latina from The Bronx, NY, Natalie has worked on international product launches for startups, nonprofits, and big
Sep 18, 2024 • 1:25:41
Not Your Spicy Latina: Trailer
Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina—a podcast that breaks down stereotypes and celebrates the multifaceted lives of Latinas. Join your host, Fiorella, as we dive into topics like cultural identity and heritage, career development, mental health, building community, and more! Each episode offers real stories and conversations with inspiring Latinas so we can all learn, grow, and empower each other.This is more than just a podcast; it’s a celebration of what it truly means to be a Latina in today’s w
Jun 2, 2024 • 2:01