Welcome to our 20th Anniversary edition…..
It’s hard to believe that 20 years have gone by since I started this magazine, which has migrated more and more into a digital format in the last few years. So much has changed throughout the years, but some things haven’t changed., like my love and commitment to sharing great inspirational stories with you all, that has not changed – I am honored and blessed to be able to reach out and communicate with you –
As a long time entrepreneur, I was an entrepreneur before it became popular. I remember the first time I heard the term. I was at an event, and someone asked me how long I had been an entrepreneur. Lol. That God for quick wit and I responded I’ve had my own business since I was about 17-18 years old, thinking back I rememberd all the many businesses I have thought of and started in all that time.
I was 31-32 when I started the Magazine, just recently located to Tampa, Florida from Chicago. A single mom to my 5-year-old son; Nikko. We often traveled from Tampa to the Orlando / Kissimmee area to stay with family, even living in each for a few years at a time. It was so hard in the beginning – the struggle to build a business in a new state – that I often wanted to just give up, but of course the only thing I could never do is give-up on something I loved and believed in so much…..but can you imagine if I had? I am so grateful to God for giving me the strength to fight the good fight – and that HE was always with me, in the good, and in the Bad…. And that even the Bad he somehow just turned into good….
I was speaking about this subject to my daughter Victoria recently– about hanging in there when the going gets tough, and not giving in…. because, in the end, you get out, what you put in -no ifs, ands or BUTS! You give up – you start over…….too many of those waste time….. OR you can hang in there and get past the tough times, making yourself stronger, wiser – more resilient and reaching bigger and bigger goals each time. My daughter said to me, “You are always so productive, always working on something” I thought about that and smiled as I responded “I just love what I do -all of it, creating! Its so much fun -even if it is hardwork.”
Lideres Award: It is with great honor and joy that we will be presenting the Lideres Award -An award presented to Hispanic leaders. This award serves as a testament that these individuals have touched lives, that they have changed lives, and that they have made a difference….
The Awards will be presented at an Awards Dinner. Limited tickets will be available for purchase. They are by invite only. To request an invitation, please email me at [email protected]
Que Mas….We are gearing up to host our upcoming festivals!
- Viva Jesus Festival / The Return: Saturday, September 26th @ TBA
- 2nd Annual FORD Taste of Latino: Food, Beer, Wine, Art & Music Festival; Sunday, Oct 18th, 2020 @ Ybor City Centennial Park
- 9th Annual FORD Intl Cuban Sandwich Festival, Sunday, Nov 8th, 2020 @ Yboy City Centennial Park
- 6th Annual FORD Cuban Sandwich Festival of Central Florida; March 2021
- 10th Annual Intl. Cuban Sandwich Festival, Sunday, March 28th, 2021 @ Ybor City Centennial Park.
Check out our other upcoming events here!
Gracias y God Bless u!
-Jolie