Mariela De La Mora: Saying No to Silicon Valley and Yes to Herself, Her Family and Her Healing

From climbing the corporate ladder in the cut-throat marketing industry to turning down high-paying tech jobs in order to pursue her own passions, Mariela has never shied away from a challenge. And now, as a successful entrepreneur and coach, she’s using her experiences to help other women of color achieve their own success. It’s impossible not to be inspired by Mariela’s story – she’s proof that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks, anything is possible. Mariela’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief. She’s faced challenges and setbacks along the way, but she’s always been able to pick herself back up and keep pushing forward. Whether you’re a woman of color looking to start your own business or just someone who’s struggling to overcome their own fears and doubts, Mariela’s message is clear: healing comes first, and success will follow.

Who do you serve and why?

I serve women of color and First Gen because our marginalized identities and conditioning often contradict the skills, mindsets and behaviors needed to lead and to create our own money though entrepreneurship. I created what I once needed, a trauma-informed, culturally aware approach to business and leadership coaching that keeps lived experience in mind.

How long have you been in business?

3 years.

What were you doing before you started this business?

I spent 16 years in Marketing, most recently as the Director of Marketing for a London-based agency. My first business was a tech startup, a dating app, and I learned a LOT from that experience.

How & why did you start this business?

When I began my coaching business, I just wanted to help women grow purpose-driven businesses. I also wanted freedom from the incessant demands of being a Marketing Director, especially as I am a single mom. But as I grew my brand, I began to share how despite my marketing and business knowledge, despite my credentials, I found entrepreneurship extremely challenging and even triggering. A LOT of First Gen resonated with that and they quickly became my entire client base.

The most pivotal moment in my business was…

My first in-person speaking engagement in NY in October 2021 changed how I saw myself. I spoke to a room full of Latinas and made them cry, speaking to them about the effects of generational trauma in entrepreneurship. I realized I was here to do so much more than help WOC grow businesses. I was meant to help them reclaim their identities and express it through their business.

If there’s anything you could change in your story, what would it be and why?

I wouldn’t change anything. But there is a part of me who still grieves for my 20s and feels like I lost it because I spent it checking off the Perfect Eldest Daughter of Immigrants checklist. In my mind I feel younger than I am because those years feel like they never happened. But that’s also why I can coach my clients so powerfully, bringing perspective, wisdom and gratitude.

What has been the most fulfilling part of your entrepreneurial journey?

Hearing clients tell me that their lives have changed because of me. Hearing them have healing conversations with their parents, and their parents apologizing to them for the first time. Helping clients to quit their jobs and create six figure businesses. Being able to travel, serve my clients, and be an incredible model for my daughter.

What has been the most challenging part of your entrepreneurial journey?

Healing my inner child. Regulating my nervous system. Finding safety with money – investing it and receiving it. Feeling worthy of my success when it felt too easy. Healing my fear of abandonment which presented itself in fear of clients leaving or being mad at me. Business has been my catalyst for healing and loving myself more deeply, but it required me to cry harder and face more shadows than ever before.

If you had to do it all over again, what would be your response?

I would do it all again the same way.

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How to find Mariela De La Mora and support her brand:

Website: https://www.marieladelamora.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariela.delamora/
LinkedIn: www.linkedIn.com/in/marieladelamora
Mariela’s Mastermind: Reclamation Mastermind opens its doors again in May to begin in July. It’s a trauma-informed business & leadership mastermind that helps WOC monetize their story and become sought-after thought leaders. Reclamation centers the lived experiences of First Gen and WOC.

Tune into the From Passion to Profit™️ Podcast: https://passion-to-profit.captivate.fm/