The First-Gen CEO Podcast: For First-Gen Women Creating Their Own Success

n this episode, Lucy Ortega speaks with Michelle Seijas, a former high school principal turned trauma-informed coach and speaker. Michelle shares her experiences growing up in a bilingual household and her early experiences as a leader. They discuss her impressive professional journey—from bilingual education teacher to principal to executive director to now business owner. Michelle opens up about...

In this episode of The First Gen CEO Podcast , host Lucia Ortega explores the power of staying grounded in gratitude throughout every stage of business. She shares her journey from making $2,000 a month to hitting consistent five-figure months, and reflects on the mindset shifts that helped her get there. Lucia challenges the belief that earning more will solve all our problems—especially the mone...

In this episode of the First Gen CEO Podcast , host Lucy Ortega interviews artist Stephanie Orta, also known as @steffiesdoodles online, who shares her journey from a retail job to becoming a full-time artist. Stephanie reflects on her early influences growing up in East LA, the ups and downs of stepping into a creative career, and how mentorship and community helped her along the way. She opens u...

In this episode of The First Gen CEO Podcast , I’m pulling back the curtain on what it was really like to crowdfund for my café, Sierra Mexican Café. April was our crowdfunding era—but it was also a month filled with personal challenges, weekly doctor visits, record-breaking sales, and a lot of delegating. I talk about the emotional rollercoaster of asking for help, the guilt and pride that come u...

In this engaging conversation, Lucy Ortega interviews Priscilla, the host of the First Gen Healing podcast and founder of FirstGen Healing Community. Priscilla shares her journey from being an HR consultant to becoming an intuitive guide and content creator, driven by her experiences as a first-generation Latina. The discussion delves into the pressures of expectations, the search for fulfillment,...

In this powerful episode, Lucy Ortega interviews inspiring Violeta Sandoval, a first-generation Mexican immigrant, Navy veteran, and founder of @Money_Chisme. Violeta opens up about her incredible journey — from navigating life as an undocumented immigrant for over 20 years to creating a life of financial freedom through real estate investing. With honesty and heart, Violeta shares how her militar...

n this episode of The First Gen CEO Podcast , Lucy Ortega dives deep into the journey of building confidence as a first-gen entrepreneur. She breaks down confidence as a muscle that strengthens with practice and consistency, sharing daily habits that help cultivate unshakable self-belief. From keeping promises to yourself to shifting your self-talk to that of a CEO, Lucy provides tangible strategi...

In this episode, Lucy Ortega interviews Rosalie Ennes, a risk strategist and founder of Portecua Consulting, who shares her journey from a bicultural upbringing to working in corporate as a risk consultant and eventually transitioning to entrepreneurship.  She also discusses her new book, Build a Beautiful Business Con Confianza , and her experience with hybrid publishing. Rosalie highlights the i...

In this episode, Lucy Ortega talks about rebranding her podcast to The First-Gen CEO and why investing in the right tools, like Riverside, can make a big difference in productivity. She gets into how consistency in content creation is key, but also how we often think success has to be hard when it doesn’t. Lucy shares how embracing ease and clarity in business can lead to better results and how lo...

In this episode, Lucy Ortega interviews Luz Hernandez Hidalgo, a girl coach dedicated to empowering young girls and fostering emotional well-being. Luz moved to Los Angeles at the age of 12 from Mexico, where she experienced a significant cultural transition that shaped her journey of personal growth. Over time, she worked to break generational cycles, learning confidence, self-love, and empowerme...

In this episode of The Socia Effect , host Lucy Ortega sits down with Jessica Anguiano, a first-generation Latina and founder of Maravillosa Movement. Jessica opens up about her inspiring journey as a young mom, navigating the challenges of education and personal growth. She shares her experiences with teen parenthood, the struggles of pursuing higher education, and how relationships have shaped h...

In this episode, Lucia Ortega interviews Anahi, the host of the Querida Latina podcast. Through her podcast she amplifies the voices of Latina and share their unique life experiences. Anahi shares her journey as a first-generation Latina growing up in Texas, her passion for the immigrant community, and her transition from a legal assistant to a social worker. She discusses the challenges of being...

In this episode of The Socia Effect, host Lucy Ortega discusses the importance of tough conversations in business, particularly for first-generation entrepreneurs. She reflects on how upbringing influences communication styles and the challenges of avoiding difficult discussions. Lucy emphasizes the need for clear communication, setting boundaries, and embracing discomfort as essential skills for...

In this episode of The Socia Effect, Lucy Ortega discusses the challenges of self-celebration and the overachiever's dilemma. She shares her personal experiences of success and the importance of setting boundaries to maintain quality in work and individual well-being. The conversation emphasizes the need to recognize achievements and the value of rest over constant hustle. . 30-minute Clarity...

In this episode of The Socia Effect , Lucy Ortega takes you behind the scenes of Sierra Mexican Cafe's 15-month journey to its grand opening. From navigating the unexpected challenges of rebranding to overcoming personal doubts about celebration, Lucy shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that shaped her entrepreneurial path. She dives into the cultural and familial dynamics that made celebr...

In this episode of The Socia Effect, host Lucia Ortega sits down with Gabriela Teran Aguilar, the founder of Teran Media Design, to explore the power of cultural relevance in branding. The conversation delves into the unique challenges faced by women of color entrepreneurs, Gabriela’s transition from higher education to running her own branding studio, and the importance of embracing both failure...

In this episode of The Socia Effect, we’re diving into The Art of Letting Go: Why Delegation is Essential for Growth. As first-gen entrepreneurs, many struggle with trusting others to take on parts of our business, but learning to delegate is a game-changer. I’m sharing my journey from burnout to growth and practical tips for stepping into a CEO mindset. Tune in to discover how letting go can help...

In this raw and real episode, I share a vulnerable moment after a business failure that led to a powerful breakthrough. For the first time, I opened up to my parents about the pressure of always feeling like I had to solve my problems alone. This healing experience taught me the importance of allowing ourselves to feel deeply, to heal, and to recognize our strength in overcoming challenges. Join m...

In this episode, I share my recent experience at CoffeeFest in LA, highlighting the value of investing in your business with intention. I discuss how a $45 conference fee led to valuable connections, insights into the coffee industry, and potential partnerships for my café’s crowdfunding efforts. I also touch on the importance of setting clear goals when making business investments and how they ca...

In this episode, I share a situation that made me come to terms with the fact that high views do not equal high sales. I know we hear this again and again, but accepting it is not easy. I shared how I was promoting my cafe, Sierra Mexican Cafe, on TikTok and was barely getting 200 views. I was feeling defeated and discouraged about continuing to post. But when I would ask clients how they heard ab...

Hola, socias! In this episode of The Socia Effect, I discuss the emotional aspects of content creation, sharing my journey from 2018 and offering tips on managing self-doubt and staying motivated. I emphasize the importance of self-awareness, realistic goal-setting, and community support, especially for first-gen Latina business owners. If you're ready to tackle your content creation challenge...

In this episode, we explore the importance of appreciating where you are in your business journey and giving yourself the credit you deserve, especially as a first-gen business owner. Being the first in your family to start a business, build a legacy, or even finance your venture is a remarkable achievement. It's easy to start questioning your progress when you see others moving at a quicker p...

Hello Socias, In this episode, I talk about the importance of charging your worth. I know many of us can do things quickly and want to charge less, but things come easily to us because of the amount of experience we have. This might be a work in progress. I have been an entrepreneur for almost six years, and this roadblock happened to me this past quarter. I hope through the reflections in this po...

In this episode, I talk about a business contract gone wrong. I discuss my struggles with not setting proper boundaries, fawning, and being unable to say no. If you are a people pleaser or one in recovery, check out this episode. I hope you enjoy it and can relate to it. . . 30-minute Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/lucia-ortega/30min   IG: https://www.instagram.com/bylucyortega/ TikTok: https:...

In this podcast episode, I share how I cared about others' perceptions and opinions of me before starting to create content online. That fear kept me paralyzed from showing up and sharing my gifts. If you have ever experienced this feeling or are going through something similar, give it a listen. Because trust me, you are not the only one. Listen to Empatia by Marca Registrada: https://open.sp...