Maria Luna
CEO and Co-Founder of BRAVO Pay.
dream homes is what truly gave her a sense
of fulfillment.
Her television program helps her connect
with, and positively influence her audience,
helping them make the most informed decisions
for their daily lives.
“Do not be afraid to ask for help. In my
opinion, the most successful people want to
help other people succeed,” Powell advises.
Mary Rabago, President and CEO of Mary
Rabago Productions and recently-named
Entrepreneur of the Year by LATINA Style,
says that it’s also imperative that a Latina
fulfills her passion through entrepreneurship,
so as not to view their endeavor as just
another job.
Her journey toward entrepreneurship
began five years ago when she left Univision
to find a creative way to educate and empower
the Latino audience. Her immigrant
background allows her to connect with her
audience in unique and authentic ways.
“We’ve been able to really connect corporate
America to the buying power of the Latino
community in a way they can identify with,
resonates with them and they understand
Mary Rabago
President and CEO
of Mary Rabago Productions.
how the services and products will really
enhance their lives,” Rabago explains.
According to Rabago, her company
is changing lives and believes this
type of success doesn’t happen without
collaboration. She applies the same mindset
of, “It takes a village to raise a child,” to
running a business.
Maria Luna is CEO and Co-Founder of
BRAVO Pay, a Smart phone application
that provides a fast, secure and seamless
way of tipping. The app aims to financially
empower hard workers and has helped, in
part, create jobs for more than 80 families. It
launched in Phoenix and will soon go global.
“It’s especially hard for Latinas to raise
capital,” Luna says. “Look for investors as
early as possible. Equip yourself with
resources. This is how you can achieve a
sustainable business model.” LS
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this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
Maria Powell
Associate Broker at Help-U-Sell Galleria
Realty and Producer and Host of Maria
Powell TV Show.
“Collectively, I ask all entrepreneurs:
“When you take a look around your
environment, ask yourself, ‘What can I do
to make it better? How can I be part of the
solution?’,” Aranda says. “If the answer
doesn’t help your neighbor as well, revisit
the drawing board until you can.”
Erica Cardenas, who was named LATINA
Style Advocate of the Year, and is founder
and co-owner of inspireHER, an inspirational
T-shirt line for girls and women that shares
the message of love, hope and truth “one T-shirt
at a time,” couldn’t agree more. She started
her business to share her story with, and offer
encouragement to, other girls and women.
“Being a Latina business owner has
opened up a whole new community to me
and has provided me the opportunity to
get connected with other local Latina
entrepreneurs,” she shares.
She believes Latinas are widely represented
in all industries and mentioned her friend,
Monica Robles, a graphic designer who
also creates custom woodwork furniture
and installations.
Maria Powell, an associate broker at
Help-U-Sell Galleria Realty and producer
and host of Maria Powell TV for Azteca,
entered the real estate business because as a
single mother she needed a flexible work
schedule. But helping families find their
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