You may know me as Vanessa Fierro co-founder of Angie’s Lobster.But what you don’t know is that the journey to get me there has been not an easy one. This my rags to riches story:
I am from Sinaloa Mexico and I emigrated to the United States when I was 18 years old and the road has not been easy, but my desire and my dreams of moving forward have been greater than any obstacle that has been put in front of me. I come from a humble family, my father a strong and hardworking man and my mother a loving woman who every second lives on the lookout for her children. I have 4 siblings and although we never had any luxuries, we were very happy. My parents did their job very well because today we are good people. I have always been very restless and outgoing, known as the “rebel of the family” you could say! Well at least that’s what my mother says, but that is also something that helped me be who I am now in the United States.
When I was 18 years old I left my house leaving my family behind and looking for better opportunities, with a small suitcase and with only $500 pesos in my bag ($40 dollars) but with the great desire to achieve the American dream. That dream begins in a large hotel. I remember working 6 days a week all day. The night before my first shift I did not sleep, practicing what I had to say in English, the famous “Hello my name is Vanessa, can I clean your room”? and it was not what I expected, it is very hard and tiresome work, but I always did it with my heart and passion, that is something that always has defines me. Seeing all those hardworking people, especially older women with children working hard and long hours, doing that kind of work opened my eyes and was my greatest motivation to realize that we all had the right to inspire to be something more than a maid and not because the trade is bad, but society makes us feel like it is, by seeing ourselves in those uniforms The fact of not having studied or speaking the English language was not an impediment for me to be able to realize my dream and becoming part of Angie’s team is just the beginning. I never stop believing in myself and although there were many sacrifices in my life everything was worth it, my life now is not one of luck, as many might think, my story is of love and desire to give my family a better life!
2.- Who has Influenced your life the most? – My parents and my husband have influenced my life the most, their great advice and their teachings have strengthened me to become the woman I am. My mother’s words still engraved in me, when she told me it does not matter if you’re cleaning toilets! But be the best at doing it and that is what I try to do always give everything my best.
3.- What are your proudest achievements? Being part and co-founder of Angie’s lobster is undoubtedly something that makes me proud, it is a very important challenge in my life and in my career.
4.- Who Inspires you? My greatest inspiration are all those hardworking people who come to this country to seek a better life for their family, those people with dreams of leaving their mark on this country, who get up and fight for their dreams! Those people are undoubtedly an inspiration and motivation in my life because I was, and still am one of those people.
5.- What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in what you do? Do not be afraid of your dreams, that you need to fight to achieve them, you have to be encouraged and always willing to learn, that you can always give more than you are expected to do! Always remember that if a door closes two more will open, fight and do not stop believing in yourself, but above all do not stop until you achieve your propose.
6.- What makes an inspiring woman? First thing is having self-love for yourself. This will give you the resilient capacity, but as well to be supportive and empathetic with others.
Tell us five things no one knows about you? (have fun with it)
- That question is a bit difficult for me since I am a very transparent person, I always look for people around me to know my tastes, one example is dancing and singing, that makes me take out my fears, frustrations, and my joys.
- I have been told that I will go to the extremes for a great selfie!
- I will leave up my Christmas decoration up for months after, LOL.
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