I am the daughter of Mexican immigrants and went from poverty to graduating with a business degree and becoming an entrepreneur.
I grew up in one of the most impoverished places in this country, Laredo, Texas. My father was a migrant worker with only a sixth-grade education.
As a child, I dreamt of becoming a teacher. At age 5, I discovered my entrepreneurial spirit. By the age of 10, my family had moved more than 10 times, disrupting my education over and over again.
My family could not afford to give me more than the basics. I found ways to make it through school with limited resources. By 12, I had run away from home. At 14, I dropped out of school and became a mom by 15.
With only a sixth-grade education, I pursued my dream of becoming a teacher with great vigor. I raised my son, worked two jobs and went to school. I felt lost and alone, no one to turn to, no one to guide me. Fortunately, I kept moving forward, found my way to and through college and paved the way for myself while leading the way for others.
Today, I hold a dual MBA and am a first-generation college graduate, entrepreneur and CEO of my own company. I am living the American Dream.
My father could have been a successful entrepreneur and a much better provider for his family. However, he could not make ends meet, and as a result he was constantly in search of new opportunities. Unfortunately, the cost to my mom and siblings was more than the eye could see. They lacked continuity in education, a sense of community and valuable childhood friends and experiences.
