|
What is the origin story of your business?
During the unusual pandemic year, I faced a situation that changed the course of my professional career. The company where I worked closed its operations in Miami, since all our luxury brands and tourism clients froze their advertising budget, leaving an uncertain future.
Given the circumstances, I thought it was the perfect time to reinvent myself and focus on something that I am truly passionate about: Digital Marketing. I invested a lot of time and resources in specialized professional training programs, courses, and workshops in that area. Throughout this process, I identified a gap in the current market: Digital Marketing information is often complex and difficult to implement.
This is how the idea of creating "The Online Bridge" was born.
"The Online Bridge” is a virtual bridge that connects Digital Marketing with Hispanic small business owners and companies looking for practical information and solid results. Through workshops, courses, and personalized consultancies, I help Hispanic endeavors build Digital Marketing strategies that work and evolve over time to grow the business.
What is your best piece of advice for fellow business owners?
I frequently come across companies that do not know how to define what their differential value is. Therefore, it is difficult for them to establish communication, marketing, and sales strategies, because they are not clear about who they are or what they want to become.
To tackle this issue, an excellent exercise is to look for the answers to these key questions:
- What is your mission, vision, and purpose?
- Who do you help and how do you do it?
- What are your values? What is your brand personality, tone, and communication style? What differentiates you from your competitors?
Writing these answers on a piece of paper and reviewing it every day keeps you focused.
Also share it with each person who joins your team, so that everyone is on the same page and your communication is consistent over time.
What Elevate D5 programs have you completed and how have they helped you?
In 2022, I completed the ScaleUp Miami program at Miami Dade College. Being part of this program allowed me to meet professionals and organizations, that are providing incredible support to our community, such as Prospera, Miami Bayside Foundation, Ascendus, Axis Helps, and Miami-Dade Business Navigator. This program also opened many doors for me! This year I received an invitation from the Miami Bayside Foundation to teach the Digital Marketing class at their Small Business Workshop in Spanish.
In September 2022, I won a grant from the Mom & Pop program that allowed me to build my website and cover my payroll expenses. Came out of the blue!
This year, I benefited from a microloan granted by Commissioner Higgins, in collaboration with Partners for Self-Employment, the New Heights Microloan Fund. This injection of resources was a great help for my business, since it will allow me to activate several projects that were on hold due to lack of funds.
Finally, next November, we are preparing together with Elevate D5 a practical Canva Workshop dedicated to small business owners. This workshop will provide entrepreneurs with many resources that will contribute to building the brand identity of their small businesses. I couldn't be happier and grateful to be a part of this!
What is a major business challenge that you overcame?
I worked for many years in large corporations and when I decided to become independent, a great challenge for me was the change in mentality. Things are very different when you go from being an employee to becoming the owner of your own company.
Training myself in different areas that are not my specialty and letting myself be advised by experts have been a great contribution to generating that change. Always being open to new learning is something that has also helped me continue moving forward.
| 
