We recently connected with Claudia Vazquez and have shared our conversation below.

Claudia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It wasn’t one of those lightning-bolt moments. It was more like a slow, spiritual download that came after years of being the go-to tech girl for everyone around me. I’d spent over a decade in the tech world—coding, managing products, building software, freelancing—and somewhere along the way, I realized I was solving the same problems over and over: business owners were drowning in tech overwhelm.

They had incredible offers and big dreams, but their websites weren’t converting, their systems were duct-taped together, and their digital presence was more ‘throwback Thursday’ than thriving business.

And every time I’d help someone fix their outdated websites or set up automations that saved them hours, I’d hear the same thing: “I wish someone just handled this for me.”

That’s when it clicked.

I realized I wasn’t just building websites or setting up systems—I was giving women their time back. I was helping them breathe again, show up confidently, and scale without burnout. And I knew, deep in my gut, that there were so many more women out there who needed that same kind of support. Not just tech help—but someone who gets them.

So I built Cloud Republic as the solution: a digital transformation agency, yes—but also your techie bestie and online fairy godmother. I’m here to make tech feel easy, intuitive, and—dare I say—fun.

What excited me most was that this wasn’t about offering something no one else had. It was about how I offered it—with empathy, with warmth, and with the kind of cultural connection that made women, especially Latina entrepreneurs like me, feel seen and supported.

And I knew it would work because I was solving a real, lived problem—and I was doing it in a way that finally felt aligned with who I am. That’s when the magic started happening.

Claudia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Claudia Vazquez, founder of Cloud Republic—a digital transformation agency that helps small and women-led businesses build a tech-forward online presence, streamline their operations, and reclaim their time. Around here, I like to say I’m your techie bestie and online fairy godmother. Basically, I’m who you call when your tech is doing the absolute most, and you just want it to work—without needing a PhD in Silicon Valley speak.

I’ve spent the last 10+ years working in the tech world—starting as a software engineer, then moving into product management, and eventually building full systems and lead-generating platforms for major companies and startups. But as much as I loved tech, I was tired of being the only woman or Latina in the room. I knew I wanted to use my skills to support people who looked like me and dreamed like me—entrepreneurs who had the passion but didn’t always have the tools.

So I created Cloud Republic to bridge that gap. My agency offers:

Custom Websites (that are built to convert—not just look pretty)

SEO Services to help clients get found online

CRM + Automation Setups so business owners can finally stop living in their DMs and inboxes

I work with small business owners who are often doing it all—wearing all the hats, juggling all the tasks, and secretly Googling “what is SEO” at 2 a.m. My job is to take the weight of the tech off their shoulders and set up systems that help them grow with ease. Whether that’s launching a website that feels like a virtual extension of who they are, or setting up automations that make their sales process run on autopilot, everything I do is rooted in making life and business feel lighter.

What sets me apart? I’m not just here to sell you a template—I’m here to walk with you through the tech journey, make sure you feel seen in your brand, and empower you to step into your next level with confidence. I blend strategy with soul, tech with intuition, and never forget the human behind the business.

What I’m most proud of is that I built this business from scratch, as a first-generation Latina entrepreneur—while raising my daughter, healing from the kind of experiences that once made me shrink, and learning to take up space with confidence. And I didn’t do it alone. I did it with the unwavering support and love of my husband, who has had my back through every pivot, late night, and bold dream.

Now, I help other women take up space, own their digital presence, and grow without the overwhelm—because I know what it feels like to start from scratch and build something powerful with heart.

If you’re a business owner who’s ready to stop duct-taping your tech together and finally feel supported by someone who gets it—I’m your girl.

Let’s make tech feel like magic. ✨

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Oh yes—this side hustle turned full-on main character energy.

Cloud Republic didn’t start as a grand plan—it started as me freelancing on the side, helping friends, family, and referrals with websites, email automations, and “can you fix this?” type requests after my 9-to-5. I was juggling a full-time tech career—building software, leading product teams, and launching platforms—and still had energy left at night to help people because I loved it. I loved watching someone light up when their tech finally worked for them instead of against them. That spark never left me.

At first, it was just me, my laptop, and a couple of WordPress projects. I didn’t even call it a business. It was just me being “the tech girl” everyone reached out to when their site broke, their forms didn’t send, or their emails weren’t automating. But the more people I helped, the more I saw a deeper need—especially among women business owners and fellow Latinas. These weren’t just “tech problems.” These were time problems. Confidence problems. Growth problems. And that’s when it hit me: this wasn’t a side hustle. This was a calling.

Some key turning points:

I got my first paying client without even promoting myself. She came from a referral and said, “You just get me.” That stuck with me.

I built a membership site for a client who ended up selling annual subscriptions—and that one project lit a fire in me. I realized I wasn’t just designing things; I was helping people scale.

I launched my first real offer—packaging website builds, SEO, and automation together—and sold it. That was when I knew I had something real.

With my husband’s support, I made the leap. I left corporate and committed to growing Cloud Republic full time. Scary? Yes. But freeing? Absolutely.

Since then, I’ve built websites that convert, created automated systems that save people hours, and supported women-led businesses across industries—from coaches to salons to wellness brands. And now, I don’t just want to build tech—I want to empower other women to own it. To understand it. To grow confidently with it.

If you told me a few years ago that this little “side thing” would grow into a business that allows me to support my family, raise my daughter on my terms, and feel aligned with my purpose—I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are. And I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honestly? Showing up with heart, not just hustle.

I think what helped build my reputation most in this industry was how I made people feel—seen, supported, and understood. I’m not just handing over a website or setting up some fancy automations. I’m building trust, simplifying the tech chaos, and reminding women (especially fellow Latina entrepreneurs) that they don’t have to do this alone.

My clients know I get it. I know what it’s like to be the one wearing all the hats, to feel overwhelmed by tech, to want your brand to feel like you online—but not even know where to start. So I’ve made it my mission to meet them where they are, speak their language, and provide real solutions without the jargon or ego.

I’m also big on follow-through. I don’t ghost. I don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. I communicate clearly, offer thoughtful support, and bring real strategy behind everything I do. That consistency builds credibility. That energy builds trust.

Plus, I’ve never been afraid to share the journey—whether that’s showing up on Instagram in a messy bun talking about a tech tip, or being vulnerable about the behind-the-scenes of growing this business. People connect to that. They’re not just buying my service—they’re trusting me. And I take that seriously.

So if I had to boil it down: reputation is built in the moments you’re not trying to sell anything. It’s built in the DMs where you’re answering someone’s question for free. In the extra tutorial you send to help them feel confident. In the way your energy enters a room—whether that’s online or in person.

That’s what I believe built mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecloudrepublic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloudrepublic_/

Image Credits

Kenisha Gill – K. Gill Photo