I've been furiously chasing my dreams since I was a kid, I didn't know how and when, all I knew is that I was different from everyone else. I wanted to explore the world, see how others lived and lead others while also pursuing my passion in the arts, specifically fashion design. Growing up in a poor "barrio" in Puerto Rico I had the best anti-drug, anti-violence education, the more I saw it around me the more I wanted to get away and never even consider doing any of that.
My passion to lead was awoken my senior year in high school when I campaigned and won the state election for the presidency of the Vocational Clubs of America, I even missed my high school graduation because I was representing my island in the national convention (who's idea was that anyway?). I wanted more of that and so I walked into the US Army recruiting office a month after turning 17 years old and signed my life away. Eighteen years later I am still pursuing those things that I love and although I've made a few mistakes along the way I don't regret them, I learned from them. I didn't have a mentor or father figure so I had to make the wrong turns sometimes in order to find my way. That's OK though, I have. I pursued fashion design since high school and until a few years ago when I decided that I didn't like the fashion environment here in the US. I decided to walk away from it. It doesn't mean I am still not passionate about the arts, designs and fashion overall though.
Because of all the stumbles, wrong and right turns I've taken in my life I am finally at a place in my life where I can pursue a more meaningful life. Since I've started my travel agency I have enjoyed the marketing side of it and have learned tons from great mentors and coaches. I know that if marketing is done consistently it works. I've decided to put myself out there and start helping other agents build their branding and marketing systems. There are two reasons for this:
1. I love helping others and these systems are very natural to me now. I know people out there need help with all this new technology, marketing systems and even branding.
2. The most important one: Based on my life experiences I know that a mentor and a real world education (AKA seeing the world) would have helped me tremendously in the pursuit of my passions I would like at this time help teenage girls at risk in a way that would allow them to pursue their passions.
I am launching my marketing consulting business today and I will donate 40% of my profits to a charity (not chosen one yet) that supports what I want to achieve in hopes that I can send a few girls on an art/experiential trip next Summer. I want them to learn from seeing the world that they should pursue their passions (especially in the art field) and that everything is attainable. No one can take experiences and memories away from anyone and travelling the world is the best classroom in my opinion.
So I ask you, my friends to join me in helping me reach my dream and I encourage you to follow yours, it is never too late and no dream is ever too small or insignificant. We can all reach out and touch someone, you never know, you may just make the world a better place.
Love,
Brenda
