When I go to conferences and networking events, I get asked the same question over and over in relation to my success as a blogger. I always give the same answer, “I made some really awesome friends and got really lucky.” No one seems to buy that, but it’s the truth. I finally get the chance to talk about one of those women that I not only to consider a great friend but classy, intelligent and kind. When Yahoo! Shine gave me the opportunity to nominate someone for their “Women Who Shine” I knew immediately who I would be nominating.
I first met Ana just over a year ago in an elevator at BlogHer in San Diego. I’m sure we had “spoken” in the Moms LA group we were both in, but had never met. Yet, as I headed to my room – she not only recognized me, but embraced and introduced me to everyone she was with. At the time, I knew of her, but I knew nothing about her blog, her business or the fact that our girls were merely weeks apart. Within days after that elevator meeting, I had an email from her, and weeks later she asked me to become a contributor for her newly formed business Latina Bloggers Connect.
Soon I would learn that Ana is not your average business woman. She is an innovator, a thinker, and a leader. Years prior, she and her best friend, Roxana Soto created Spanglish Baby, when they saw nothing in the space for Latin families who were seeking resources, help, or even a supportive ear on raising bilingual children. They never once swayed from their vision of creating a movement of Bilingual education.
As Spanglish Baby began to slowly grow, she saw the growing need for ways for brands to connect with influential Latinas in the blogosphere in a way that would keep a blogger’s original voice and yet allow them to begin to grow as a business. That was how Latina Bloggers Connect was born. Now, over a year she has connected hundreds of Latina Bloggers with paid opportunities from major brands such as Neutrogena, Avocados from Mexico, Nestle, Mary Kay and more.
She is also a Babble writer, a wife, a mother, and a now, a soon to be published author. Yet, despite her vast successes, she has remained modest and humble, usually the first to offer advice to anyone who asks. But perhaps the thing that makes her shine so brightly, is the inspiration she gives to all of us around her. I am honored that I get a chance to show the world how brilliant she is, and consider myself lucky that I get to call her my friend.
Do you know an amazing woman that deserves some recognition? Nominate her at http://bit.ly/women-who-shine and she just may win $10,000. Also check out Yahoo! Shine on Facebook by clicking “like” below:
Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.
Awesome!
Wow she seems like a great person! And she’s so pretty!