Werk Mija Podcast

I am joined today by Jessica Cuevas. Jessica Cuevas is a podcaster, coach, speaker, and community builder, reshaping the narrative around Latina motherhood. She's the founder and creator of Viva la Mami, a platform that empowers modern Latina moms to reclaim their culture while navigating modern motherhood. With her background in education, Jessica strives to redefine "madrehood" through culturall...

I am joined today by Margarita Quiñones Peña. Margarita is the author of “Homecoming: El Viaje a Mi Hogar,” a story through a migrant child's eyes. She is also the founder of the Latina Sweat Project whose mission is to make Yoga accessible to all. The Latina Sweat Project offers free and donation-based community programming, a 200-hour Yoga teacher training certification cohort, as community-led...

I saw this post on an Instagram reel with the video text saying, “Why I won’t be doing markets as a small business in 2025.” Yes, all their reasons are valid, but I mostly disagree! As a product-based business owner myself who has been doing vendor markets since the Spring of 2021, if you were to ask me if vendor markets are worth it, I would say YES….and no and here’s why! I have participated in...

On today's episode I wanted to formally introduce The Mamis Club series of the podcast. The Mami's Club is for all madres—whether you're an entrepreneur, building a career, or a stay-at-home mom—let’s talk about navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. I want this to be a safe space for real conversations about the struggles, wins, and everyday realities of trying to balance it all. Culturall...

I decided to welcome myself back to the podcast from a very long break since last summer, when I was pregnant and dove into motherhood two months earlier than expected. The Mami life has been crazy and even crazier trying to navigate motherhood and entrepreneurship. However, slowly, but surely, I am figuring it out.  Since I love to share my personal entrepreneurship journey on the podcast, I thou...

I am joined today by Jackie Rodriguez and Wendy Ramirez, The Jefas of Spanish Sin Pena, a program created to empower our community to feel confident speaking Spanish! Wendy Ramirez is the founder of Spanish Sin Pena & has 20+ yrs of experience teaching. She earned a JD from Loyola Law School LA & a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science & Spanish from the University of California at Be...

Today I am joined by Laura Santoyo. Laura is the owner of Date Nite Beaute, a cosmetics and accessories brand that inspires date night looks. With a passion for the beauty industry for 25 years, Laura was a makeup artist for almost a decade in her 30’s helping to put herself through college while working 2 other jobs. Due to COVID, she now works with the manufacturers to curate her own brand of ma...

Today I am joined by Elena Flores. Elena is the owner of Sew Bonita, a gift shop located in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born and raised in Eagle Pass, Texas on the border of Texas and Mexico. Sew Bonita reflects her upbringing with a little bit of Tex-Mex, a little bit of Mexico and a little bit of US. Follow Sew Bonita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewbonita/ Website: https://sewbonita....

Today I am back with another solo episode! This one is for the entrepreneurs who were debating either dipping their toe into their own physical storefront or even jumping all the way into a traditional commercial space. I had an opportunity to be part of an incubator program in 2023 called the Berwyn Shops where you get to test out the waters at a more affordable and feasible price before jumping...

Today I am joined by Vanessa Avalos. Vanessa is the founder and owner of Luna y Cielo Play Cafe, a bilingual Spanish playroom supporting parents raising bilingual kids. She is a 2nd gen Mexican American who grew up struggling with her identity because she didn't know Spanish. But she and her twin both separately fought to reclaim their culture and language. Her father also made sure to instill pri...

I am joined by Monica and Aidee San Miguel, hermanas and founders of VOLVERde. VOLVERde is an online marketplace of carefully curated, beautiful, effective, low-waste products for your body and home sourced from a variety of responsible, diverse brands. Volverde exists to make it easier to discover sustainable product swaps, shop responsibly, and minimize plastic waste. Aidee studied electrical en...

I am joined today by Wendy Amara. Wendy is a successful Latina Life and Business Coach- with over 16 years’ experience. She specializes in coaching Ambitious Latinas who want to reach Big Life, Career and Business Goals. She is an expert at follow through, consistent action, and managing your human mind while regulating your emotions. If you are feeling stuck, lacking clarity, or overwhelmed with...

Today I am joined by Liset Adkins.  Liset was born and raised in Chicago and is proud to be the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants. She is a wife, mother and co-owner of Café Calidá, a coffee shop located in the same neighborhood she was raised in, Humboldt Park Chicago. Owning a business in Humboldt Park has been extremely rewarding and yet surreal, as she never imagined it to be possible. Tune in...

Today I am joined by Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda, a multicultural business strategist and top-selling author. With over a decade of expertise in business development, community marketing, and communications, Ashley, a Latina of Mexican and French descent, has carved an inspiring path. Join us as we explore her groundbreaking Spanglish business-launching book, "Jefa in Training," and learn how she's b...

Today I am joined by Yovana Rosales. Yovana is an AI enthusiast, who equips Latinas with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for their business, their profession, their self-care, and use AI as their personal assistant. Her career began in community building, driven by a passion for providing safe, nurturing spaces for conexion y comunidadI Yovana became so apacionada about comunidad, she creat...

I am joined by Gabriela Cordero. Gabriela is the owner of The Groove Chicago where she teaches yoga, pilates and barre at the studio. The Groove Chicago is an inclusive community that centers women of color in wellness. Tune in to learn more about Gabriela's journey! Follow Groove Chi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groovechi Website: https://www.groovechi.com/ Follow Werk Mija: Instagram: ht...

Today I am joined by Nancy Martinez. Nancy was born and raised in Aurora, IL to parents from Michoacan, Mexico. She is a First gen Mexican American trying to elevate her cultura through nature and self care by reclaiming her indigenous roots.  Nancy is the owner of Nide Jardin. Nide Jardin offers a unique cacti and houseplant collection to pair with a variety of healing crystals and self care prod...

Today I am joined by Bianca Huerta. Bianca is a 26 year old, first-generation Mexican-American born and raised in Chicago.  She has been baking since she was 14 years old and has taken both culinary, and pastry classes and even entered into many competitions to pursue her passions.  It wasn't until after high school when Bianca received many scholarships and attended college for baking & pastr...

Today I am joined by Aurora Diaz. Aurora is the founder & CEO of The Jefas, the forthcoming beauty e-commerce platform and box for Latina founded brands. Aurora was named part of Inicio Ventures 100 Rising Latinx Founders to Watch list. Her expertise in product marketing has allowed her to work with brands such as Sephora, Google, Facebook, Levi's, Saint Laurent and Adidas. She is originally f...

Today I am joined by Maria Rodriguez. Maria is the heart and soul behind Freedomlei State of Mind. She triumphs as a disabled woman, breaking barriers and shining a light on inclusivity in the business world.  She proudly embraces her ancestral roots and Native American heritage in every aspect of her business. With a deep connection to nature and a passion for holistic healing, Maria curates a st...

Today I am joined by Jennyfer Delgado. Jennyfer is the founder of Artesanias La Luna, an artisanal boutique on a mission to share our stories. Growing up Jennyfer struggled to connect with her roots. As a former DACA recipient, she wanted to encourage her community "que si se puede". Artesanias La Luna was created to keep our culture alive through Mexican art. Jennyfer wants to inspire people in h...

Today I am joined by Chynna Monforte (she/they) is a queer, first-generation Mexican-Guatemalan artist and designer born in Alaska, and raised in occupied Tongva land Los Angeles.  As founder of Monforte Studio, Chynna, brings years of experience in the arts and custom website builds since 2017. Prior to founding Monforte Studio, Chynna worked in the arts education sector with museums such as Los...

Today I am joined by Melissa Barrios. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Reiki Practitioner but you can also call her a feminist, Bruja, advocate, hype girl, and nonjudgmental listener.  Melissa is also the owner of Wicked Wick Candles which she started in 2020 and introduced Healing Without Limits in 2021. Her intention with Healing Without Limits is to offer a safe space for folks...

Today I am joined by Ann Dunning, the Co-founder along with Christina Kelmon of Vamigas Botanicals. Vamigas is a Latina-owned, vegan, cruelty-free wellness brand at Target created from Latin American botanicals from Chile, Peru, Mexico and more. Their mission is to create a space for Latinas in clean beauty and wellness, and educate everyone about the cultural context and power of Latin American b...

Today I am joined byTiffany Woodman. Tiffany is CEO and founder of Canna Bella Lux, a luxury women’s cannabis brand. A proud Puerto Rican/Italian serial entrepreneur, she strives towards inclusivity and equity in the cannabis industry and believes that cannabis should fit into your lifestyle, not you into the cannabis lifestyle.  Tune in to learn more about Tiffany's entrepreneurial journey! Follo...