Café Conversations: Recent Episodes
Angelique Sina
Coffee, Friends, and inspiring stories! Café conversations by Friends of Puerto Rico is a podcast that brings together the stories of our global community of over 30,0000 changemakers.
Friends of Puerto Rico is a nonprofit committed to driving economic success and innovation to cultivate the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
Angelique Sina, president of Friends of Puerto Rico, interviews mentors, executives, and entrepreneurs to create a network that changes lives.
"Café conversations" is a place to talk, explore, and share knowledge.
"In life, everyone involves a financial decision. In the beginning, everything is about making money, and then?!" Find the answer by enjoying this inspiring episode where we talk with Alejandro Talavera, a young entrepreneur, and financial advisor.
Alejandro tells us how he went from being a scholarship recipient to then moving on to Washington, DC to pursue his dreams. His finance knowledge has allowed him to earn money, and live a life full of purpose.
He speaks about his new project, Romping, LLC, "With the pandemic, many were unemployed, so I shared a publication offering free consultations, and more than 100 people wrote to me! I have been lucky to have the opportunity to help them."
Discover the decisions he has made, and the changes in habits that have allowed him to build financial awareness. Brew some #CafeAmaLove and listen to his connection with the SEEDS program as a mentor and why he decided to get involved.
#Takeaways
It is important to find new experiences
Cultivate your relationships and build a network of people who inspire you to move forward
Hard works pays off
Educating people on financial intelligence is a must
"My goal is to be financially free."
Why invest in entrepreneurship? That's the answer that Minerva and Felix Serrano, Co-Founders of Activus Connect, answer on this episode of Cafe Conversations.
Angelique Sina, president of Friends of Puerto Rico, dives into how women-owned and minority-owned organizations, like Activus Connect, can change lives through entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Activus Connect is a premium provider of Customer Experience Outsourced Solutions, operating across the Continental US and Puerto Rico, with a strong focus on social responsibility.
In their roles as SEEDS program mentors, both agree that "young entrepreneurs are important. When you are young, one of the most important things is to have mentors that guide you and give you open and honest feedback."
Brew some #Cafeamalove and get ready to be inspired by serving communities with this valuable episode full of meaningful tips.
#Takeaways
Never give up
In life, there will always be failures and challenges
On your own, the process will be slower and difficult. Find a mentor
Look for an organization or cause that identifies with your core values and support them. Be socially responsible.
If there is one thing that can give us a real perspective on how our SEEDS entrepreneurship works, it is the teachers. They witness first-hand the transformation of our students throughout their year-long journey.
Today, in a Spanish episode, we discover the behind-the-scenes of SEEDS through the voice of Lianette Cruz, teacher and Montessori Guide at Escuela Segunda United Pastoin Aibonito, Puerto Rico. Learn about her 20 students who participated in the first cohort of our SEEDS program, and the four businesses that they created.
"For me, it was magical to be a facilitator. In just one year, they created their own businesses, and are passionate to continue their journeys as entrepreneurs." She discusses the transformation of these students, all from low-income areas. "In the beginning, many of the students were shy and afraid to speak in public. By the end of the program we saw them in an interview on television, speaking confidently, an without any hesitation."
Find out how sales of Cafe Ama Love coffee serve as investment capital for the businesses that the students create.
Are you looking to identify, and ultimately secure funding from investors along the way of your entrepreneurial journey? Well, then you are in the correct episode! In this Cafe Conversation, we talk with Seda Goff, Director, PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program, who shares with us the pillars to build a healthy business. She brings all of her experience with a perspective of a female entrepreneur.
"Entrepreneurship means that you are a problem-solver."
Grab your pen and paper and get ready to take notes on investors and capital! Listen to the options offered by PenFed Foundation.
#Takeaways
Learn communication skills
Teamwork is the key to success
Define your market
Lead with a sense of purpose
Financial tip: "put the numbers down, if you don't then you have a hobby, not a business. Start tracking."
Yvette Peña, Vice President, Hispanic/Latino Audience Strategy, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, AARP
Lili Gil Valletta, Founder and CEO, Cultural Intelligence Expert
We invite you to enjoy this episode. It's a jewel! Learn how purpose, a want to learn, and a passion to make an impact can be the formula for success.
Yvetta Pena, VP, Hispanic/Latino Audience Strategy, AARP Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Lili Gil Valetta, Founder and CEO | Cultural Intelligence Expert, explain how to not be afraid to stand up. "You have to find your way, bring your chair to that table, and make your voice heard." These Latina leaders are finding ways to transform lives by helping Latinos and women fulfill their dreams.
#Takeaways
Find your passion and love what you do
We should never stop wanting to learn and grow
Find your purpose
Break that glass ceiling
Let's teach girls that their voices matter
Café conversations by Friends of Puerto Rico is a podcast that brings together the stories of our global community of over 30,0000 changemakers.
Friends of Puerto Rico is a nonprofit committed to driving economic success and innovation to cultivate the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. We do this through our SEEDS and AMIGAS entrepreneurship education programs.
In our podcast, you will hear about the stories of our passionate community, including our students, who as of age 9 have begun their small businesses.
Angelique Sina, President, Friends of Puerto Rico
Liz Tredent, Chief Administrative Officer, Friends of Puerto Rico
Amapola, Founder, Cafe Ama Love
Discover who Friends of Puerto Rico is, and how the organization is working to transform the Island through results-oriented entrepreneurial initiatives focused on sustainability and self-sufficiency for the people of Puerto Rico.
Meet Amapola, founder of Cafe Ama Love. At ten years old, Ama shares her experience. She became a businessperson, inspired by her grandfather to create a coffee to support and inspire young entrepreneurs.
Hear from Angelique Sina, President, and Liz Tredent, Chief Administrative Officer of Friends of Puerto Rico, just what the SEEDS program is, and how it is developing the next generation of leaders.
#Takeaways
Resilience and friendship are vital to support communities
The power of youth can have a profound impact on society