1. Tell us your story and what makes you unique.
My story is one of resilience, reinvention, and service. After the 2008 financial crisis disrupted my hospitality career, I shifted to healthcare in search of stability. What started as a practical decision soon became a calling I discovered how impactful it is to serve people when they need it most.
By 2016, I ventured into entrepreneurship, opening a boutique gym while keeping my full-time healthcare role. That experience taught me about leadership, community, and accountability. In late 2019, I made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, becoming a licensed insurance agent.
It was through this journey that I discovered the Multicultural Business Alliance (MBA), a community that transformed my perspective. By 2024, I became its President, with a mission to pay it forward educating, empowering, and guiding small business owners, especially from underrepresented communities. My story is about turning challenges into purpose and helping others do the same.
2. What type of business do you run?
I lead the Multicultural Business Alliance (MBA)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to supporting small business owners from diverse backgrounds. Originally founded as a consulting firm, we transitioned into a nonprofit during the pandemic to meet the urgent need for accessible education and resources among women, minority, veteran, LGBTQ, and disabled entrepreneurs.
MBA’s strength lies in its hands-on, in-house support model. Instead of simply referring businesses elsewhere, we bring expertise directly to our members covering everything from business formation to scaling and compliance.
We also play an active role in advocacy, ensuring small business voices are heard at the city and state levels. Currently, we serve Southern California and are expanding statewide, collaborating with major cultural chambers like the California Hispanic, African American, Asian American, and LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to break down barriers, promote economic mobility, and help diverse entrepreneurs thrive.
3. What motivated you to start the Multicultural Business Alliance?
My motivation came from lived experience. I’ve personally faced the uncertainty of starting a business without a roadmap or mentor. After building my gym and entering the insurance industry, I realized how many people especially women and minorities struggled with the same isolation and lack of guidance.
The pandemic made these challenges even more visible. I wanted to build a platform where entrepreneurs could find mentorship, education, and advocacy in one place. MBA became that platform a space for shared growth, support, and empowerment.
4. What are the biggest challenges when starting a business?
The biggest challenge is the lack of clear, accessible information. Many new entrepreneurs are experts in their craft but struggle with the bureaucracy of running a business—licenses, permits, compliance, and tax regulations.
Without the right guidance, they often face unnecessary obstacles and penalties. That’s why organizations like MBA exist—to help entrepreneurs start strong, stay compliant, and build sustainable businesses.
5. What inspired you to enter this industry?
I was inspired by my own journey through uncertainty. Moving from hospitality to healthcare after the recession taught me empathy and adaptability. Later, as I stepped into entrepreneurship, I saw how many talented individuals were working hard but lacked access to reliable information or support systems.
I wanted to become a bridge someone who could make the path clearer and easier for others. Empowering people with the right tools and resources is what drives me every single day.
6. How important is mindset when starting a business?
Mindset is everything. Starting a business demands resilience, patience, and a strong support system. It’s easy to lose motivation when the challenges pile up, which is why mental health is a major focus in our programs at MBA.
Your mindset shapes how you respond to setbacks, adapt to changes, and sustain long-term success. A strong network, a clear vision, and a positive attitude can make all the difference.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Go in with your eyes open. Passion is essential, but knowledge and preparation are just as important. Learn the operational side legal, financial, and structural details matter as much as creativity.
Build relationships, find mentors, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Expect challenges, but see them as learning opportunities. Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo journey it’s about community, persistence, and adaptability.
8. What does fear mean to you?
Fear, to me, is not an enemy it’s a signal. It shows you care deeply about what you’re building. Fear pushes you to prepare, to plan, and to stay aware. Every big step I’ve taken in life came with fear, but it also came with growth.
You don’t eliminate fear you learn to move with it, using it as fuel to stay focused and intentional.
9. What does success mean to you?
Success has evolved for me. Early in my career, it meant stability and recognition. Today, it’s about purpose and impact seeing others succeed because of the support and resources we’ve provided.
True success is when someone you’ve helped feels empowered and capable of building their own legacy. It’s about balance, community, and creating something that outlasts you.
10. What are your upcoming projects?
This year, we’re focused on expanding Alpha Prime Health Insurance Solutions (APHIS) across Southern California. We’re introducing initiatives that make Medicare education more accessible and culturally inclusive.
I’m also deeply invested in developing new leadership programs under MBA that empower women and minority entrepreneurs to scale their businesses confidently and ethically.
11. How do you differentiate yourself from the competition?
At MBA, we meet people where they are. We focus on relationships, not transactions. Every member receives tailored support that’s practical, transparent, and culturally relevant.
Our follow-through sets us apart—we don’t stop once the paperwork is complete. We stay with our members throughout their journey, helping them grow sustainably and confidently.
12. What does financial freedom mean to you?
Financial freedom means having choices control over your time, your work, and your future. It’s about security, stability, and legacy. For me, financial freedom allows me to invest in my community, build generational wealth, and empower others to do the same.
13. Any final message you’d like to share?
My story, and the story of the Multicultural Business Alliance, is about resilience and reinvention. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money it’s about creating change, empowering communities, and leaving behind a meaningful legacy.
If my journey inspires even one person to take that first step toward their dream, then I know I’ve done my part.
For more information, visit www.mballiance.org or follow @multiculturalbusinessalliance.
