Elevating Minority and Veteran Owned Small Businesses With ‘We Keep Thinking’ Founder Cecilia Burgos
Cecilia Burgos is a leading latina of many talents. Born in Honduras and raised in New Jersey, Cecilia Burgos’ passion for food and the community has played a significant role in her journey. After graduating high school, Ceci pursued a career in the United States Navy where she served as a photographer, documenting missions in iraq for eight years while performing other duties on base. Upon completing her military service, Burgos began a career in marketing, running campaigns for airlines, sports teams, and elite athletes. After almost a decade in marketing, Ceci, being a creative problem-solver by nature, realized her desire to expand her scope and branch out into public relations and creative services. While attending New York University, a course on community and culture awakened a new passion for Cecilia. Promoting lesser-known cuisines in the Latin culture would forge her new path into a world where food has the unique ability to unite a diverse group of people. In 2018, Cecilia launched We Keep Thinking, a full-service creative agency conceived to elevate minority and veteran owned small businesses. While her client list is mostly based in the Bronx, this Leading Latina continues her effort to gain greater media representation and awareness to the troves of culture located in New York City’s outer boroughs. Cecilia’s passion for helping marginalized people succeed is demonstrated through her hard work and commitment in the community. In the short time We Keep Thinking has been in business, Cecilia has elevated her clients’ just-opened and mainstay businesses with English and Spanish language features in The New York Times, NBC’s New York Live, Thrillist, Eater, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Telemundo, Univision as well as many other national and international outlets. Another one of Cecilia’s proudest achievements was being named a Trailblazing Latina by Forbes Magazine for the work she has done for Latino-owned small businesses. As a Leading Latina of 2019, Cecilia hopes to bring attention to the lack of representation the media has for the Latina community. “Only 3% of media coverage is on Latinos and I’m here to change that,” stated Cecilia. As a Latina entrepreneur, Cecilia’s advice to other Latinas hoping to become their own boss one day would be to network as much as you can! While networking can be intimidating for most at first, she admits that it has opened up many doors for her own business. “You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a helping hand,” expressed Cecilia. Cecilia cites her mother as her inspiration in life stating, “she came here with nothing and managed to raise three kids, in a country where she did not know the language, she faced so many obstacles but she overcame them. All this while working a low paying job.” During her spare time, she enjoys traveling and photography. To learn more about Cecilia Burgos’ creative agency visit her website below http://www.wktnyc.com
Achieving the “Impossible” with Medical Esthetician Expert Idalis Bailey
“When we have a dream we should never stop pursuing it; we only need to be focused, have patience, be consistent, and work with love and passion to get success.” Idalis Bailey lives by her own advice when dealing with the workings of building a successful business and brand. As a licensed Medical Esthetician and Certified Laser Technician, she has been providing the highest quality of services for 12 years in skin rejuvenation and weight control for both men and women in the New York area. Before becoming a licensed expert in her field, Idalis Bailey began her journey in the medical field in Colombia, where she acquired a license as a registered nurse. She continued her education in Argentina as a student in General Management and Marketing where she received her MBA, qualifying Idalis as a trained marketing expert. It was ten years ago that Idalis Bailey decided to finally share her expertise and passion for wellness and beauty through her well-known space, Renew Esthetics MediSPA Boutique in Astoria, New York. Through this well-established boutique, Idalis is able to offer exquisite services and treatments for her patients while continuously educating herself on the latest FDA approved technologies in the medispa industry. Before becoming a devoted professional in her field, Idalis Bailey arrived in New York City in 2003 with her son, raising him on her own through hard work and determination. Her son, Brian Sanchez, became her drive, motivation, and her strongest support system. As the Marketing Director and Co-founder of Renew Esthetics MediSpa, Brian also runs his own business, Brian3Donline, demonstrating the same strength and drive his mother has. Together, they are working on projects with focus everyday. Both Brian Sanchez and his mother Idalis Bailey are clear examples of one very important concept: anyone can conquer their dreams. The word impossible doesn’t exist in their vocabulary. Idalis Bailey’s devotion and passion for esthetics and medispa treatments is evident in the personalized care she exhibits with her clientele. She provides a comfortable environment and delivers the most effective results. With non-invasive procedures in laser hair removal, chemical peels and weight loss, she’s on the cutting edge trends of the medispa industry and has positioned herself to stay on a steady incline. Her extensive education and training in marketing and the medispa industry has contributed to her ability to build her MediSPA brand and establish herself as a premiere esthetician and skin care professional internationally. She stays competitive and has remained focused on increasing her visibility in the skincare market. Although, she is recognized for her skin rejuvenation services, she is also noted for her utilization of online promotion, video marketing and skin care education. To learn more about Idalis Bailey’s services visit: https://renewesthetics.com/ Follow Renew Esthetics Medispa on instagram: @renewesthetics Thanks to our sponsor & supporters: Main Sponsor: CeniaNY | T-shirt by: @aroundeco Hair and Makeup by: Mariluz Fontanez | Video and Photography by: Innovation Media New York – Ivan Morales | Felipe Tehuitzil – Photographer Behind the scenes| Project Director: Ruben Martis | Image Consultant: Angie Reyn | Social Media Influencer: Maria del Pilar Casal | Flower Decor by: Flower Delivery NYC! LENY Editor and Social Media Consultant Nicole Lynch
Pop+Pour Founder Yajaira Gonzalez and The Power of Hard Work
Yajaira Gonzalez has always had the innate ability to become a successful entrepreneur. With over a year under her belt as a restaurant owner, she has placed herself in the trenches of an industry that is known for being challenging. Since opening Washington Height’s eatery, Pop+Pour, Yajaira has made it her mission to lead with a passionate spirit, using her restaurant as a vehicle to inspire other Latinas to always follow their dreams and never give up. Aside from her Pop+Pour eatery, you’ll often hear this driven woman discussing her side project, “Uptown is Female”, which highlights the wealth of female entrepreneurship in the Washington Heights and Inwood section of Manhattan. Yajaira Gonzalez was born in Caracas, Venezuela to Dominican parents and at the age of 4, she and her family came to the USA. Growing up, she learned one very important lesson from her mother – the meaning and power of hard work. In order to keep their family healthy, happy and strong, Yajaira’s mother worked long days and nights as a 24 hour caregiver for the elderly. It was her mother’s determination that really inspired Yajaira to become a woman of fearlessness and optimism, overcoming any obstacles that come her way. “There is no giving up when your mom never did, when you see her wake up every morning to go to work and give you everything you need.” Looking toward the future, she is excited to continue building the Pop+Pour brand as a new kind of restaurant inspired by historical elements of Latin culture that is built into the wine, beer, spirits list and the plates they serve. Yajaira is proud of the atmosphere she has created with her business. “You come into Pop+Pour and you’ll feel the vibes right away. Our industrial-chic interior is paired with organic wood accents and vintage collectors’ items… The foliage throughout the restaurant adds to the feeling of luxurious calmness, making Pop+Pour a perfect place for date night… a celebration with friends, or that long-awaited toast with coworkers at happy hour.” Since opening Pop+Pour, Yajaira has worked alongside some of the most talented people in her community. Pop+Pour has collaborated with Celebrity Chef Kelvin Fernandez, VH1’s Beauty Bar, Not Your Momma’s Podcast, and Paulette Noboa. This trendy eatery also had the opportunity of partnering with local non-profit organizations like Divas Leading Inc., and Latinas Unite. Yajaira was recently recognized with the “Entrepreneur Award” presented by Johnny Walker Spirits in March 2018. As a mother of two young boys, Yajaira finds herself most fulfilled when her family is happy and healthy. When she isn’t in wine-world, she spends her free time drawing and learning new skills. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Yajaira continues to work hard and is always leading by example. Learn more about this trendy Cafe and Wine Bar at poppournyc.com Instagram: @poppournyc Facebook: @poppournyc Twitter: @poppournyc Thanks to our sponsor & supporters: Main Sponsor: CeniaNY | T-shirt by: @aroundeco Hair and Makeup by: Mariluz Fontanez | Video and Photography by: Innovation Media New York – Ivan Morales | Felipe Tehuitzil – Photographer Behind the scenes| Project Director: Ruben Martis | Image Consultant: Angie Reyn | Social Media Influencer: Maria del Pilar Casal | Flower Decor by: Flower Delivery NYC! LENY Editor and Social Media Consultant Nicole Lynch
Making Strides in the World of Fashion with Angelica Deleon | Founder of LEON USA
Angelica Deleon is a latina business woman evolving the world of fashion with her entrepreneurial mindset and go-getter attitude. She is currently the founder of LEON USA a petite women’s e-commerce clothing brand she founded while studying abroad in Shanghai, China. At a young age, Angelica immersed herself in the world of entertainment as a professionally trained dancer and competitor at her local dance studio Across the Floor, acclaiming regional, as well as, national distinctions. It was through dance that Ms. Deleon quickly found her passion. Angelica’s Colombian and Dominican background has given her the opportunity to embrace diversity and open the path to cultural discovery. She studied abroad in Shanghai to learn Chinese International markets, and mandarin at Fudan University – one of the most prestigious and selective universities in China. Due to her extensive cultural experiences, she is able to support and lead teams by communicating a unique perspective. Her professionally gained skill-set landed her a corporate marketing internship at Mercedes-Benz, USA. During her undergraduate studies at Seton Hall University, Angelica’s combination of resiliency, intelligence, and charisma, showed through her involvement as a leader on campus. She served as the President of the Public Relations Student Society of America, a pre-professional organization committed to supporting public relations students. Ms. Deleon incorporated her marketing and design skills to rebrand the organizations logo, website, and social media messaging. She was able to lead a team of passionate students and executed numerous events that granted undergraduates the opportunity to meet professionals in the field. Upon graduating from college, Angelica took an active role as the first Communications Director in her family-owned business, ASA Trucking LLC., a trucking logistics company. Taking on the partnership with her parents, she lead fifteen employees and helped with the company’s branding efforts. ASA Trucking LLC. was featured in the NJ Bi-state Association of Truckers and continues to expand within the US. Angelica continues incorporating her marketing, advertising, and communications skills to refine LEON USA’s global online brand. As her company continues to expand through its partnerships with models, photographers, and social media influencers, Ms. Deleon remains at the forefront of her business’s evolution. LEON USA currently sells both nationally and internationally at www.usaleon.com. LEON USA is also available in NJ and NY boutiques. When she’s not working on exciting, new business ventures, Angelica enjoys other physical and intellectual pursuits. She is fluent in Spanish, intermediate in French, and is currently learning Mandarin. Angelica advocates for diversity in the media and entertainment industry as a communications volunteer to the National Association of Latinx Independent Producers. Her recent features covered the Afro-Latina perspective and highlighted Latino nominations and awards at the 2018 Oscars ceremony. Ms. Deleon was recently accepted into Columbia University in the City of New York and will continue to broaden her marketing knowledge through Columbia’s summer business program. You can learn more about Angelica Deleon at www.usaleon.com | @leonusaa Thanks to our sponsor & supporters: Main Sponsor: CeniaNY | T-shirt by: @aroundeco Hair and Makeup by: Mariluz Fontanez | Video and Photography by: Innovation Media New York – Ivan Morales | Felipe Tehuitzil – Photographer Behind the scenes| Project Director: Ruben Martis | Image Consultant: Angie Reyn | Social Media Influencer: Maria del Pilar Casal | Flower Decor by: Flower Delivery NYC! LENY Editor and Social Media Consultant Nicole Lynch
Google HOLA-LENY Panel & Workshop RSVP
Google’s Hispanic Googler Network – HOLA – and Latinas En New York (LENY) will be hosting a special “How We Did It” panel to celebrate Latina entrepreneurs followed by a presentation on Google tools that can help small businesses succeed on the web. The workshop will be happening in the Google NYC office – 111 8th Ave – on Thursday, Nov 16th at 5:30 pm. Please note that space is limited for this event so we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Event Details Date: Thursday, Nov 16th Time: 6-9pm Location: Google NY Office – 111 8th Ave RSVP Click Below