I am a proud ambitious serial entrepreneur from Worcester, Massachusetts. After working 10 wonderful years in marketing at a local university, my desire to make a bigger impact with my skills could no longer be denied. I set out on my own entrepreneurial journey and opened GEM Marketing Solutions. Extremely passionate about helping small businesses grow. I have proudly been assisting clients to reach their potential with strategic marketing efforts since 2016.
I am an avid reader who loves to learn and travel anywhere where I can be surrounded by palm trees. A true cheerleader of Worcester, in my spare time you can find me hosting Worcester Business Connect, a podcast that promotes local entrepreneurs and small businesses within the beautiful city of Worcester, mentoring business owners through Entrepreneurship for All and Center for Women & Enterprise or advocating for women as a committee member on the City of Worcester’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.
Q: Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
I own a marketing agency, GEM Marketing Solutions, where we provide affordable marketing solutions to small businesses in our city.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
Tough question, lucky for us Worcester residents – we definitely have options! I always have love The Boynton. Always has good food, drinks and great atmosphere. However, I am a big supporter of all my friends and Nuestra located in the Bull Mansion is a must try. They serve authentic Puerto Rican cuisine that tastes delicious!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
I would say my mother was the most interesting person I have ever met. As I grow older, I can appreciate and realize what it looks like when someone is wearing many hats but they do it so elegantly. I admire her effort to make it look all so easy to me and my siblings. Her perseverance gives me the strength to do the work I do daily.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would take my youngest daughter to Disney World. She is almost three and everything fascinates her. I would love to see her expression as the Disney characters walk around the park and greet guests. I quietly live through her in those priceless moments of being a child. That trip is on my Vision Board this year and I cant wait to experience it!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Honestly, it is rare that even listen to music anymore. I am more about listening to motivational speeches by Oprah and Steve Harvey. I do enjoy a good soundtrack of relaxing sounds to meditate to though!
Q: What is your best advice?
Show up to this world as yourself. We try so hard to be like others and compare our journey when the only real job is to be ourselves. I also know that takes time and dedication to learn who we are as individuals. So I would encourage others to pay attention to what makes their heart happy and do more of that!
Q: What is one of the top three items on your Bucket List?
My first would be to retire my father – he has worked so hard all his life. Second would be to take a family cruise with all my siblings and nieces and nephews. Lastly, would to settle into a profession later on in life that provides others healing. The world is very harsh and it needs more change makers that are filling it with love and light.
Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester?
This is easy – Coney Island. You walk in and you feel like you have arrived in another era.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
I would have loved to have lunch with Steve Jobs. I admire his commitment to his vision even when nobody could understand. I would ask him how he found strength even when all the odds were stacked up against him.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We are launching our first annual Self-Made Entrepreneur Conference this fall and I see me dedicated that to become the legacy event of our organization. The goal of the event is to provide entrepreneurs education, inspiration, connection and motivation to take their businesses to the next level. The amount of impact we can make to serve small business owners not only in Worcester but across New England is going to be amazing. I see myself continually expanding that event and making it even more impactful each year to come.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
I have been typing before I knew how to write. My grandmother showed me how to type on a typewriter when I has probably 5 years old ( A, semi, S, L, D, K, F, J, space, space) Haha – memories!
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, family, safety
Q: If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
I would pick Jennifer Lopez. Funny, my mother used to call me J.Lo. I would pick her because after watching her Netflix series her journey inspired me and she really has dedicated her life to get where she is today. I feel she would be a strong woman to represent me.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
I love our library, not just because I love reading but because it is beautiful. Such a nice space for everyone to learn something new – no matter the age!
Q: What is your favorite smell?
I love the smell of Almond!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children inspire me, especially my oldest daughter. She is nineteen and so independent. I have watched her blossom into such a beautiful young lady. I have also noticed how much she pays attention to my habits, my lessons in life, my daily grind. Her desire to be an entrepreneur herself keeps me going to show her it can and will be done!
