This interview, which took place before COVID-19 began to take hold in the U.S., was written as profound changes to daily life were being seen and felt across the country. Elizabeth Kurpis, a New York resident, has been affected like all of us. She recently shared, “[n]o matter how much our lives have changed in the short term, we have our health, family and the future to look forward to. Focusing on the things that matter most right now can help motivate one to push past this difficult time, and for me, has allowed a small, yet faint light shine through at the end of a very dark tunnel.”

Sheltering in place, social isolation, loss of income, loss of a loved one, are just some of the devastating effects since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It is against this backdrop of uncertainty that we spoke to Vivian Nuñez, a mental health advocate, writer and the founder of Too Damn Young, an online community and resource for teens and young adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We jumped into the deep end of the mental health conversation with Vivian, and asked her for her advice on coping strategies and how we can begin to prepare ourselves mentally as cities, states and countries around the world begin to ease their lockdown restrictions and cautiously reopen. May is Mental Health Month and considering what is happening in our world during this anxiety-filled time, there seems to be no better time than now to proactively prioritize our mental well being. Vivian shares that “figuring out your own fear and pain points and [identifying] where you're starting from will [allow you] to create a plan that's cohesive to what you need to tend to.” She also provides tips on how to re-establish friendships post shelter at home and her thoughts on how the pandemic will transform young people.

How do you make the leap from CPG branding executive to founder of your own health and wellness supplement brand? Just ask Alisa Pospekhova, who recently launched Kindroot, a new innovative brand of supplements that aim to disrupt the category. Encouraging all to be sweet to themselves so they can inspire others to do the same, is a cornerstone value of the company. In this interview, you’ll learn about how Alisa has learned to blend art and science in the several marketing roles she has held throughout her career, culminating in senior positions at global companies, and how she has leveraged fifteen years of marketing experience to venture out and create her own company. Alisa shares insights about her entrepreneurial journey, why she has come to embrace challenges and how she’s put into practice the notion of being sweet to herself by encouraging herself to stay motivated, “stick with it, and see the vision through.” In turn, she’s inspiring us to do the same.

What do Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, and Alexandra Pereira have in common other than being known for their impecaable style and their growing business empires? Idalia Salsamendi, business strategist to top influencers and fashion houses. She has been at the forefront of the digital space explosion and evolution, connecting some of the most powerful fashion brands with some of the biggest fashion influencers since her mid-twenties. Being at the cusp of something that can alter the norm and challenge the status quo can be daunting if not paralyzing, but not for Idalia. There’s “fun in seeing beyond the horizon and [setting] sail,” she says. Idalia began to do just that, working in both Los Angeles and New York City where she learned and tested how the traditional modeling space could evolve and marry into the digital world. She has leveraged her insights to help propel influencers and bloggers forward and cement themselves as entrepreneurs and business women. No small feat. But for Idalia, if life gives you lemons, you don’t limit yourself to making lemonade. You start your own lemon orchard, understand it’s complexities and use it to nourish, flourish and give back. Here, Idalia shares what she’s learned throughout her professional journey and we kick off our first edition of “Rapid Round” questions, where we connect over everything from morning must-haves to best life decisions made to female leader icons.

Traveling in time through Latin culture with references to reggaeton and cultural icons like Celia Cruz or Walter Mercado’s signature line “Salud, Dinero y Amor” (a favorite Latino astrologer and TV staple), are just some glimpses into Latino upbringing that Mabel Frias and Shaira Frias have creatively captured in their beauty brand, Luna Magic. The Latino vibes are palpable. “Our mission is to celebrate our multicultural heritage and bring a splash of color and excitement to the beauty industry,” shared Mabel Frias, co-founder of Luna Magic. We recently interviewed Mabel, who shared with us everything from what’s surprised her about her entrepreneurial journey so far to how she views the COVID-19 pandemic transforming indie brands and the beauty industry. In our rapid round of questions, we learn what her favorite place in the world is (hint: think art, architecture, renaissance), the important topic her book would be dedicated to if she wrote one, and more!

Cinthia Flores es una líder reconocida internacional y nacionalmente. Esta pionera Latina es una apasionada de los derechos de inmigrantes y trabajadores. Ella es una defensora del cambio social a través de la ley y la política. Es abogada, estratega política e influenciadora de la opinión pública. En el 2009, fue la primera presidenta Latina del Consejo de Asociación de Estudiantes en la Universidad de California Los Ángeles (UCLA), la universidad más aplicada en los Estados Unidos. Fue nombrada como la regente estudiantil 2013-2014 por la Junta de Regentes de la Universidad de California. Esta es su historia.

Sofia Haq nació y creció en el sur de California. Su padre es Paquistaní e Iraquí y su madre es Mexicana y Española. Se graduó de la Universidad de California, Los Ángeles (UCLA) en el 2015, en donde participó en un programa de estudios internacionales de negocios en el extranjero en la universidad London School of Economics (LSE). Allí aprendió sobre el lado comercial de la industria de artículos de lujo, y comenzó su aprendizaje sobre diseñadores Británicos como Victoria Beckham y Alexander McQueen. Due entonces que Sofia empezó a cambiar el rumbo de su profesión hacia la industria de artículos de lujo. Desde el 2015, Sofía ha trabajado con varias marcas de comercio electrónico (e-commerce) y de lujo, en las áreas de marketing, estrategia y operaciones. Actualmente, es una consultora de marketing en las industrias de retail y tecnológica, fundadora de Muslim Women Professionals, graduada del Riordan fellowship y 2018 MBALauncher en la Fundación Forté. Es defensora de las minorías en las industrias de negocios, tecnología y moda. Sus pasatiempos incluyen: montar a caballo, viajar, asistir a eventos deportivos e ir a conciertos. Vive en el sur de California.

Andrea Breanna es la fundadora y CEO de RebelMouse. Anteriormente se desempeñó como Chief Technology Officer de The Huffington Post. En esta entrevista, Andrea comparte su perspectiva sobre el liderazgo y como ha sido que esta pionera y emprendedora, orgullosamente transgénero, ha prosperado en el mundo de los negocios.

Saber gestionar la incertidumbre en un contexto profesional, es algo que Paula Pontes ha aprendido hacer a través de su carrera. Con más de 15 años de experiencia en la industria de belleza, Paula se ha convertido en una líder reconocida en la área de cosmética. Después de varios años de haber trabajado en consultoría, se unió a L Brands para dirigir la estrategia y el desarrollo de productos, y luego trabajó para Estee Lauder en donde llevo el puesto de Senior Vice President y Gerente a nivel global de GLAMGLOW. Paula comparte su historia con Falta y explica el por qué fue importante que ella se adaptara a los cambios de su vida.

“Lady With Influence” (Dama Con Influencia), “I Met Me in New York City” (Me Conocí En La Ciudad De Nueva York” y “Eternal Optimist” (Optimista Eterna), son solo algunos estampados gráficos que te encontrarás en la colección de ropa de Megan Phillips Collection. Estas frases captarán tu atención porque constituyen un signo de los tiempos actuales, ya que representan el empoderamiento de la mujer. “Soñé con diseñar ropa que iba más allá de crear un elemento de deseo en la mujer,” compartió Megan. Así fue, que tras una serie de obstáculos mientras trabajaba en la moda corporativa, lanzó su propia colección de moda.