NEW EPISODE! Ep. 26 Imposter Syndrome: Don't Let The Voices In Your Head Prevent You From Getting To The Finish LineRounding out Women’s History Month, Sandra shares her take on a state of mind that far too many entrepreneurs (specifically women entrepreneurs) find themselves battling with, imposter syndrome.  Low self-esteem, lack of confidence and unworthiness can permeate through all aspects of our lives but your mission doesn't have to fail because of them.  Sandra’s POV and stories can help and inspire YOU to get to your finish line! Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokYouTubeJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

NEW EPISODE! Ep. 25  Making Financial Literacy Fun with Beatriz AcevedoBeatriz Acevedo is one of the leading inspirational voices and Latina entrepreneurs in the United States. She has dedicated her career to empowering and opening doors for the next generation of Latino leaders.  Beatriz and Sandra discuss financial histories involving family and educational upbringings and how her latest startup SUMA Wealth is making an impact in the Latino community.  It is the leading financial technology company devoted to increasing prosperity, opportunity, and financial inclusion for young U.S.-born Latinos. SUMA's innovative approach deploys technology to build financial tools that are engaging, culturally relevant, and useful to the community. SUMA also creates user-centric content and brand-based experiences that inspire, inform and empower the community to build wealth and control their financial future.Connect with BeatrizLinkedinInstagramtwitterConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramYoutubeTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business questionREAD MORE ABOUT BEATRIZ:Beatriz started her career in media at a young age, first on radio and later on television. Her work earned her three Emmys, one MTV Music Award, and a Media Correspondent Award, among others. She later became a tech media entrepreneur as the Co-Founder and President of mitú, the leading digital media brand for young Latinos in the U.S. Under her leadership, she went on to raise $50M in funding, led by some of the most successful venture capital groups in California. The mentorship initiatives that she created through her Accelerator Program, have also provided invaluable access to the next generation of multicultural storytellers, with an emphasis on female leadership. Beatriz's expertise has been to create content at the intersection of media, technology, and social impact.Beatriz is a passionate and sought-after speaker who enjoys discussions around diversity as good business, female leadership, and the economic impact of Latinos in America. Additionally, she sits on numerous boards and advisory committees.Beatriz recently co-founded and co-chairs LA Collab, a Hollywood initiative aimed at doubling Latino representation in Hollywood, both in front and behind the camera by 2030.BOARD MEMBER● Adara Acquisition Corp (NYSE: ADRA)● 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Committee● Homeboy Industries● 9th Wonder, Marketing Agency Group● Latino Community Foundation● PocketWatch, Digital Media Studi

NEW EPISODE! Ep. 24  Living Your Best Life with Angel AvilesMuch has happened in the three decades since Angel Aviles brought the role of Sad Girl in the film Mi Vida Loca to life. A decade-long career in marketing communications followed her time in the film industry, as did marriage and children. Despite having what looked like an ideal life, in 2008, Angel had her first panic attack, which led to debilitating anxiety and depression. Determined to get well in body, mind and spirit, she went on a quest. In 2010, she began sharing her findings on her blog. In 2011, her coaching practice was born. In 2020, her book "Too Happy to Be Sad Girl" became a bestseller. Today, Angel and Sandra discuss her influence in the Latinx community, coaching and speaking on culture, creativity, and confidence with the casual backdrop of their new friendship.  BONUS!  This is the premiere episode on our NEW YouTube Channel! Check out the full video version of this interview HERE! https://youtu.be/-DB-TJlOSekThis episode was recorded at The Bridge Studio in Brooklyn, NY on January 30, 2023.Engineered by Brianna Cofield and Amon DrumConnect with AngelInstagramConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Sam Ogborn is a fractional CMO and marketing mentor. She spent 12+ years in the corporate world working for major brands like Walgreens and Red Bull before venturing out on her own to help startups and founders embrace marketing. Sam is a big believer and advocate for marketing education and loves to help founders stay ahead.  She is a regular consultant for Nopalera and today’s discussion with Sandra is packed with truth bombs about what every entrepreneur can do with their own will, resourcefulness and discipline to build a successful brand.  Buckle up! Connect with SamWebsiteInstagramSam's Recommendationshttps://www.youtube.com/@socialsavannahhttps://www.youtube.com/c/DaraDenneyConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

NEW EPISODE! Ep. 22 The Power Of Your Thoughts with Anabel QuintanillaAnabel Quintanilla is a Transformational Coach who teaches mujeres to evolve De Chillona a Chingona®. (From crybaby to badass).  Chingona Living was born out of a deep desire to help women LIVE passionately, empoderadas, and free.  How much of your day do you feel consumed by your thoughts? and how often do you take your thoughts as facts?  In today’s discussion with Sandra, Anabel can help you be in the driver's seat of your life by helping you understand your thoughts. Connect with AnabelWebsiteInstagramConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

NEW EPISODE! Ep. 21 The Week After Shark TankWow! It’s been almost two weeks since we aired on Shark Tank and it’s been an amazing ride!  In today’s short solo episode, Sandra recaps her thoughts and reflects on the experience of Shark Tank as it relates to the brand mission of Nopalera.  Additionally, she outlines what the emphasis of the upcoming episodes will be and how it extends from our brand values.  This will be the season for uplifting entrepreneurs, brand builders and future leaders. We invite you to join us!Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Many people are surprised to learn how small the Nopalera team actually is.  In today’s episode meet Sam Gomez and Edith Castro, the two women behind our in-house marketing team.  Hear what they have learned from working at a Latina beauty start up, how the company culture has inspired self awareness and personal growth, and rising to the occasion of preparing for our Shark Tank airing on January 20, at 8pm EST and 8pm PST!  In celebration of this exciting news, listen until the end for a special code. PLEASE NOTE: This code is only available from our website store at nopalera.co (not on our IG or Facebook stores, sorry!) Muchas gracias!Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

NEW SEASON 2! Ep. 19 Living Your Best SelfSandra kicks off 2023 sharing a personal exercise that encourages us all to become self-aware and self-inspired to live each day as fulfilled as possible.  Stemming from the experience of scaling Nopalera to its next level, this mindset can be incorporated into all aspects of life and is exactly what we need to enhance and embrace our new year’s resolutions.  We look forward to sharing our new season with you bi-weekly over the course of 2023. Thank you for your support!Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Capping off 2022, Sandra shares the valuable lessons from the transformative experience of fundraising during this year’s final months. From the mindset and conquering past money wounds to the due diligence and networking needed, this short episode will give you the adrenaline boost to launch into 2023 with a checklist to inspire confidence in your own personal mission!Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

This week Sandra chats with like-minded and mission based founders Joanna Rosario-Rocha and Leslie Valdivia-Rivas of Vive Cosmetics.Leslie and Joanna, created Vive Cosmetics, the culture-conscious beauty brand to recognize the importance of not just Latinas, but of everyone who’s ever felt undervalued. They’re on a mission to make sure you always remember your worth. No matter what an outsider’s narrative has to say about you, the only story that matters is the one you’re in charge of telling.For Joanna starting Vive Cosmetics was a dream come true. As a Latina and a beauty lover, Joanna never felt truly represented by any brand out there. While Leslie wanted to blend her love for working with the Latinx community and passion for makeup and all things beauty. Sandra, Joanna and Leslie share their mutual love, goals and hardships in entrepreneurship as well as their mission to thrive in and inspire the LatinX community to redefine their own expectations. Their transparency is both informative and emotional so enjoy the ride!Connect with ViveWebsiteInstagramLeslieJoannaConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

This week continues the celebration of Latino Heritage month with a healing and empowering discussion with Sandra and Linda Garcia of In Luz We Trust.A Cali native and proud Latina, Linda Garcia spent 17 years working in the TV and film industry helping well-recognized TV networks, movie studios, and streaming services build programming for the U.S. Hispanic market. Despite enjoying the work, Linda knew there was more to life than working to make someone else rich. Eventually, she took the knowledge she’d gained and used it to launch the Let There Be Luz podcast: a weekly podcast aimed to channel one’s spiritual journey.In 2019, after relocating to Dallas, Linda’s spiritual journey led her to what she considers her life’s purpose: to help the Latinx community heal the generational money wounds that prevent them from achieving wealth. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Linda launched her first stock market course for beginners and created a rapidly growing community of Latinx investors on Patreon and Instagram known as In Luz We Trust. Today Linda is a published children’s book author, a self-made business owner, and a guiding Luz for thousands of BIPOC who are looking to break free from limiting and toxic money mentalities.Linda and Sandra share their personal experiences, challenges and epiphanies surrounding their relationship with money, wealth and self worth. This inspiring and emotional discussion is bound to motivate all who listen to look within, inspire a new relationship with oneself and develop a fresh perspective on building wealth in all aspects of life.Connect with LindaWebsiteInstagram Linda García Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Sandra kicks off her celebration of Latino Heritage Month with Latina entrepreneurial pioneer, leader and radio personality Patty Rodriguez! Patty Rodriguez is one of the most influential American Latino leaders as a nationally recognized entrepreneur, radio producer, media personality, founder, angel investor, and best-selling author who was proudly raised in Los Angeles by Mexican immigrant parents. Patty founded Lil’ Libros, the #1 family-trusted bilingual children's media publisher, inspired by her desire to teach her two beautiful boys, Alexander and Oliver, about their family’s culture and language. Lil Libros impressively raised 2.3 Million from the community, making it the first community owned Latino book company.Her passion for uplifting her community extends beyond children's books, having made angel investments in early-stage startups and launching sin miedo productions in 2021 to elevate the voices and stories of the American Latino experience. Patty is best known as Senior Producer and On-Air Talent for the internationally syndicated radio show,"On Air With Ryan Seacrest," on iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS FM Los Angeles.Patty’s inspiring story as a Los Angeles native born to immigrant parents exemplifies the power potential of the Latino/American experience evolving through family, friends and community. Through struggles and victories, Patty’s passion and resilience shines through brightly and has been a beacon for Nopalera specifically but for so many across the entire LatinX community and beyond!Connect with PattyWebsiteInstagramTwitterWikipediaPublicConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Sandra shares her inspired thoughts and feelings following the We All Grow Latina-Las Founders Event in Los Angeles, CA. The power of community, networking and empowerment are at the heart of her experience but she delves deeper into her own personal journey of overcoming perceptions, self worth and creating one’s own future.Connect with We All Grow LatinaWebsiteFacebookConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

This week’s episode Sandra finally sits down with the extraordinary artist/photographer and Nopalera team member Amanda Lopez. Amanda Lopez is a Mexican-American portrait and lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles. Her father lent her his camera at the age of 17 and photography soon became her savior. Whether she's on assignment or photographing members of her family or friends, Lopez's camera eye looks for a balance of beauty, strength and tenacity. With 24 years of experience, Amanda discusses her inspirations, accomplishments, challenges and aspirations of her journey as a successful Latina artist and entrepreneur. Their mutual admiration is palpable and exemplary of what success looks like with the utmost love and respect. Enjoy!Connect with AmandaWebsiteInstagramConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

We’re back after a mid-summer break with a new episode featuring one of Sandra’s original teammates of Nopalera, Priscilla Camacho. Priscilla brings over 17 years of experience in high end beauty sales and took that to the next level starting her own wholesale management company, Equally Distributed. They discuss the patience, perseverance and strategies necessary to get your product into retail stores and expand your business’s growth.Connect with Priscilla CamachoWebsiteInstagramConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

This week’s episode Sandra meets with Cheekbone Beauty founder Jenn Harper. They discuss the value of bringing your previous experience and mission’s into entrepreneurship as well as an array of personal and professional challenges that not only help your business grow but help your individual growth as a human.Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cheekbone Beauty is a digitally native direct to consumer brand that is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) in the brand's ethos and in developing products.  Creating a new segment in the beauty industry - Sustainable Socially Conscious Beauty.  Jennifer Harper has been making a name for herself in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/m_pitches/cheekbone-beauty in 2019. Cheekbone Beauty’s mission is to help every Indigenous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while creating sustainable cosmetics.In addition to Cheekbone’s mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on my family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. She has also been invited to speak to various entrepreneur groups including women in business associations, Apple Canada and First Nations organizations.Connect with Jenn Harperwww.cheekbonebeauty.comCheekbone Beauty InstagramCheekbone Beauty FacebookConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Join Nopalera founder Sandra Velasquez and Avana Creative founder Karina Martinez discuss the journey of finding your niche, learning how to lead and trusting yourself along the way.Connect with KarinaWebsiteFacebookLinkedinConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Brittany Chavez, CEO and Founder of e-commerce platform Shop Latinx, a first of its kind online marketplace for Latino-owned businesses. In 2016, Brittany had a vision to create an intentional shopping experience centered around all the passionate, talented Latinx creatives and makers out there. With Latinx's holding $1.9 trillion in purchasing power here in the U.S. She saw an opportunity to amplify the work of Latinx and BIPOC business owners by curating a marketplace that spoke directly to our community.Connect with Brittany ChavezInstagram: @shoplatinxWebsite:shoplatinx.comConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Abby Haddican is a multidisciplinary designer specializing in branding, packaging, typography, and illustration. Over the past decade, she's helped numerous established and emerging brands bring their stories to life with design work that's artful, original, and made to last. She approaches her projects like she approaches her life: with joy, curiosity, passion, and playfulness. Connect with AbbyWebsite: abbyhaddican.comInstagram: @abbyhaddicanRecommended Links:https://www.behance.net/Connect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramTik TokJoin Sandra's Entrepreneurial NewsletterAsk a business question

Join Nopalera founder Sandra Velasquez this week for the podcast’s very first interview with Shaz & Kiks founder Kiku Chaudhuri! Sandra and Kiku discuss the importance of vision, teamwork, family and drawing on one’s professional and cultural experience to fuel their success.Kiku Chaudhuri is the co-founder of SHAZ & KIKS, a hair wellness company that is reimagining ancient Indian rituals to build your healthiest hair ecosystem by harnessing the power of nutrient-rich ingredients indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Rooted in Ayurveda, one of the world's oldest healing systems, Kiku and her sister & co-founder, Shaz, take these age-old rituals and reimagine them for today's world. Prior to SHAZ & KIKS, Kiku worked in the tech and media industries for 15+ years. She worked at Conde Nast, on brands such as Vogue and GQ, leading digital growth and innovation before she started her entrepreneurial journey.Connect with Shaz & Kikswww.shazandkiks.comwww.instagram.com/shazandkiksConnect with NopaleraWebsiteInstagramFacebookJoin Sandra's NewsletterSubmit a business question