Foundher by Entrepinayship

Director, producer, filmmaker, and photographer, Leslie Alejandro has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry. Her career as a professional musician started at the age of 15 and continued over the course of two decades. She then shifted her focus to publication as a partner/executive director at a celebrity and fashion digital magazine for seven years. Here she wore many hats - creative/art director, editor, and photo producer. After several years of experience on many sets, Leslie eventually found her passion for being behind the camera. From this, she decided to pursue photography full time. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Variety Magazine, GQ, Men's Health, Teen Vogue, Women's Health, The Wrap, Nylon Magazine, etc. Alejandro's existing obsession with film and television and her ability to story- tell through imagery, composition, and stills then led her to discover her passion in filmmaking. Her directing credits include the documentary short about surrogacy 'She's Having My Baby', the short film 'Smile', starring Kevin Alejandro and DB Woodside, and 'Adult Night', in which she co-directed with Kevin Alejandro, starring Kevin Alejandro and Lesley-Ann Brandt. On this episode, we discuss mental health, pursuing a career in entertainment, and forming a supporting community. Leslie also tells us about her professional journey so far and her upcoming projects. You can connect with Leslie at: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lesliealejandro and http://www.instagram.com/alejandrofilms_ 

Paulina Corpuz is a long-time social justice advocate who emigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 1993 and would later on rally the community and political leaders to formalize Filipino Heritage Month, a month-long celebration in June that would bring visibility to the Filipino community across Canada. On this episode, Paulina talks about the challenges of being a new immigrant in the 1990s and navigating her career in the social justice and public service sector.  Paulina was also the founding president of the Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture (PATAC) and is an #entrepinay who owns an accounting and bookkeeping company serving small businesses. She studied Psychology at the University of the Philippines. https://www.canadianfilipino.net/sections/people/paulina-corpuz-initiator-of-filipino-heritage-month-in-canada-sees-more-work-to-uplift-community

Tina Bangel is a vocal coach and professional singer who has inspired thousands of students to use singing as a form of personal development. A graduate from the Australian Institute of Music and a certified Master NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coach, Tina is the founder of the One Voice School Of Singing and the online singing course Singing Mastery- The One Voice Method. She has developed and worked with singers who have been a part of The Voice, The X Factor and Australia's Got Talent. Her students have performed at Disneyland, Universal Studios, Radio City, and in major musicals such as The Lion King and The Sound of Music. Tina is often the go to backing vocalist for Filipino celebrities who tour Australia. Tina and her students have supported international celebrities such as Tony Award-winning Broadway star, Lea Salonga. Tina is the host of the One Voice Can Change the World podcast. She has been featured in The Huffington Post, Marie Claire & Inspired Coach, SBS and The Daily Telegraph. She lives in Sydney with her husband, son and their mini foxie Gloria. www.tinabangel.com https://www.instagram.com/tinabangel https://www.facebook.com/onevoiceschoolofsinging/ https://www.facebook.com/tina.bangel/

Deirdre Levy is a special education teacher in Brooklyn who brings community together and leads multiple efforts to address social justice issues such as equity in education, food security and affordability. A Filipina-Jewish-American born and raised in New York, Deirdre Levy is also the founder of NYC Filipinos, cofounder of Project Barkada. Deirdre is currently running for City Council in Brooklyn, NYC, District 35.    Deirdre's leadership combines her passion for public service, education, and policy. Learn more about Deirdre's initiatives at:   https://deirdrelevy.com https://www.instagram.com/therealdeirdrelevy 

Amira Polack is a tech entrepinay, and Founder & CEO of Struct Club, which brings structure to music-inspired fitness. Achieve greater results in less time with workouts synced to incredible playlists by professional, certified fitness instructors on the Struct Club app, live on the App Store. Born and raised in LA, Polack comes from a half-Filipino, half-white Jewish-American family. Polack's career has centered around technology, startups, and social enterprise and her opinion has been featured in TIME, Forbes, and the World Economic Forum Agenda. She earned her Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and Bachelors in Public Policy and International Affairs from Princeton University. On this episode, find out how Amira Polack started a tech company based on a need she recognized in the fitness industry, her experience with raising capital, and the journey that connected her to tech, social entrepreneurship, and roots in the Philippines.  Find Struct Club on the App Store  Instagram: @structclub Facebook Twitter: @structclub Struct Club on Spotify Connect with Amira Polack at: Instagram: @amirapolack Twitter: @apolack  LinkedIn

On this episode with Justine Ang Fonte, we discuss her journey to becoming a sought after speaker and consultant on sexual health and wellness to co-creating a storytelling platform, now in its 4th year, that centers on Pinay voices.   A child of Pilipinx immigrants, Justine Ang Fonte is a sexuality educator and the Director of Health & Wellness at a K-12 private school in New York City. Justine is a consultant and speaker on intersectional health and sex education for teachers, parents, and students in both public and private schools across the United States. She is also the co-creator of Raised Pinay, an original production of Pilipina-American storytelling and benefit for the Philippine reproductive health non-profit, Roots of Health, of which she sits on the Board. She received her Master's in Education from the University of Hawai`i and her Master's in Public Health from Columbia University. When she's not fighting for reproductive justice, she is baking up new recipes and watching re-runs of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.   @ImJustineAF and justinefonte.com

For AAPI Heritage Month, we gathered a group of Filipina/x podcasters "amplifying Asian women's voices," included in Spotify's AAPI Heritage Collection. Hear from Jen Amos of The Filipino American Woman Project, Czarina Jimenez of Brwngrl Feels, and Rose Trinidad of Bruha Baddies as we discuss the podcasting process, journey, and the impact of being featured on Spotify's AAPI Heritage Month collection this May. These podcasts cover topics like mental health, cultural identity, as well as the professional and personal lives of Filipina-Americans. To connect with our guests, please find: Jen Amos of TFAW at www.thefilamwoman.com Czarina Jimenez of Brwngrl Feels at www.instagram.com/brwngrlfeels Rose Trinidad of Bruha Baddies at https://bruhabaddies.podbean.com/ Do you have a podcast? Tell us about it! Drop us a line at hello@entrepinayship.com and join our community at www.entrepinayship.network.  

What a year! Enjoy this recap of 2019 with Anna Marie Cruz, foundher of Entrepinayship, along with featured guests: Justine Abigail Yu, Creator and Founder of Living Hyphen Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, Financial Therapist and Owner of Mind Money Balance Dr. Amee Velasco, Psychologist & Founder of The Healing Journey Daynabelle Anderson, Business Owner and Author of Letters to My Son Carol De Leon, Designer and Founder of Angkan  Rechie Valdez, Banker, Baker, and Owner of Chietopia Grace Talusan, Writer and Author of The Body Papers Deborah Francisco Douglas, Author of Somewhere In the Middle We discuss recurring themes from 2019 including defining a clear purpose/why for your business, the entrepreneurial and growth mindset, being a mompreneur, and identity.  Let us know what you think and leave a review, Subscribe to Entrepinayship's newsletter for future episodes, Visit our Directory to support entrepinay-owned businesses, and Share us with your friends.

Ginger Lim Dimapasok is the co-owner and co-founder of Cafe 86, a growing quick serve retail brand specializing in Filipino inspired desserts and drinks.  In this episode, Ginger shares her journey from starting the first location to 5 locations across Southern California and Las Vegas, the inspiration behind the name, and the decision to create their own brand instead of opening a franchise. Ginger runs the Cafe 86 operations with her husband, James, and with her staff of 100.  Find Entrepinayship at entrepinayship.com, on IG, and FB.

This episode is a conversation with NPR journalist Malaka Gharib and the author behind the book I Was Their American Dream.  We discuss the pursuit of creativity, Malaka’s path to journalism, and the unexpected impetus to her book. We also talked about the current political climate, the importance of owning and sharing our stories, and the new opportunity we have to be more visible as Filipinos.   Warning: some adult language (because we’re adults) Photo Credit: Andrew Castro

This episode with Karena Higgins, serial entrepreneur behind Phlavor Profiles and Pig Parts & Beer, was recorded in July 2016. We talked about her experience opening a restaurant around the time of the Great Recession, the benefits of owning commercial real estate, and her mission to shift the narrative about Filipino food and culture through her creative businesses.

We take a break from interviews to share about the journey to building Entrepinayship, from an idea sparked by recognizing a need in the community, to what it is shaping into today. Self doubt is probably the biggest killer of ideas. I'll share about how that self doubt delayed my own process, but how intuition and a strong Why helped me overcome it.  Thinking about starting your project, but dealing with self doubt? This episode covers some tips, including: the importance of testing your ideas committing to your Why  understanding and owning your personal story 

On this episode, I speak with Fran de Leon, whose credits include Speechless, Criminal Minds, That's So Raven, and so much more. She's both an onstage and onscreen actress as well as an Artistic Director for Will & Company, "a theater for social change," which travels to various college institutions teaching diversity and inclusion through theater. Fran speaks candidly about her experience in the entertainment industry, balancing career and family, as well as finding creative flow within and beyond her first love of acting.  

On this episode, we speak with Rheena Mae, foundher of MaeMae Jewelry, the jewelry that loves you back. She talks about overcoming heartbreak and finding inspiration to start a business that is based on positive affirmations and helping others love and accept themselves. She also discusses what it takes to build a product company that is profitable and unique and how to stand out in a sea of competition.    Follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/maemaejewelry https://www.twitter.com/maemaejewelry https://www.instagram.com/maemaejewelry https://www.pinterest.com/maemaejewelry   Check out her website at: http://www.maemaejewelry.com/ Resources Rheena talked about in this episode: https://www.16personalities.com/ https://humandesignamerica.com

On this episode, we speak with Kristine de la Cruz, foundher and owner of Creme Caramel LA, a bakeshop specializing in custard-based artisanal food that uses Filipino and traditional ingredients and recipes. You will learn about: How Kristine used and still uses a business plan to guide her decisions for Creme Caramel Testing a concept at farmers’ markets and growing a following that would justify a permanent location The importance of creating multiple distributions channels - direct to consumer and wholesale Tools and skills that every business owner should have Kristine is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and has participated in the Small Business Majority Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss the needs and concerns of small businesses along with other founders from across the nation. It has been an honor for her to be included in several food and business panels discussing the state of the industry (Next Day Better, Women's Entrepreneurship Day by City of Los Angeles, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, Eastside Food Festival). Crème Caramel LA was named an Outstanding Small Business by Mayor Eric Garcetti and SBA, featured in several media outlets including Food Network, PBS, Eye On L.A., Eater, Los Angeles Magazine, and TimeOut LA. Crème Caramel LA partnered with Found Coffee to open their 2nd location, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, a collaborative effort that features Crème Caramel LA branded products and Demitasse coffee (a local Los Angeles boutique coffee roaster). Crème Caramel LA is managed by the two founding members, Kristine de la Cruz and Sean Gilleland.

On this episode, I speak with Myey Moens, a Filipina-American entrepreneur behind a chocolate brand already making waves called Theo and Brom. We talk about her journey to creating the first ever Belgian tableya, which fuses two cultures together - her native Filipina heritage and her new home of Belgium - while highlighting the best of what each one has to offer.  You will learn about: Resources for building an e-commerce company  The power of positive thinking for entrepreneurs  How to find the right partners in business  How Myey overcame self doubt at the most difficult moments of her journey  Building a brand based on your values Navigating international trade regulations  Crowdfunding to test the market  Myey Moens is a Filipino-American entrepreneur and the mind behind Theo and Brom. She recently moved to Belgium to settle down with her husband Matthias.  Resources: www.foundr.com

On this episode, I speak with Vina Lustado, foundher and owner of Sol Haus Design, a design firm based in Ojai, California. We talk about how she left a corporate architecture career behind to build a design firm that focuses on smaller-scale projects. We also delve into the process of building a business that goes beyond profit and also prioritizes people, planet, and purpose.  You will learn about: -stepping into discomfort and building a business with intention  -creating a lifestyle and business aligned with your values -leveraging community resources available in the community  -being a do gooder and being sustainable   Staying true to her core values, Vina has completed the design and construction of her tiny home on wheels. Equipped with simple luxuries as a loft skylight and cozy fireplace, Vina manifested her dream home in 140 square feet. It reflects her philosophy about simplicity, sustainability, and living within her means.  Since 2013, Vina has been living full-time in her tiny house and couldn’t be happier living anywhere else. One year later, she decided to build her own tiny office, SOL POD, where she spends most of her time designing and creating. She has been a featured speaker at Yale University to inspire young minds about sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Resources: Women's Economic Ventures, The Magic of Tiny Business, Social Venture Network. (Disclaimer: Vina Lustado is not a licensed architect. For more info on licensure, please visit California Architects Board)