We recently connected with Alma Ramirez and have shared our conversation below.

Alma , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My parents are my heroes. I understand that traditionally, when prompted with this question during elementary school, one might be inclined to name someone other than their parents. However, I have always contested this norm. Why shouldn’t our parents be our heroes? They epitomize the essence of learning from both failure and success, embodying the values of hard work and perseverance. For me, my parents stand as beacons of inspiration, guiding my path with their unwavering dedication. While I do hold admiration for other women and aspire to emulate Latina role models, it is the tangible, everyday examples set forth by my parents that truly motivate me.

In my perspective, my parents embody the Mexican American Dream. They immigrated to the United States in their late teens, driven by the pursuit of work opportunities to support their parents and siblings back home. Eventually, they crossed paths, fell in love, and began building a family. I am one of six siblings, a testament to their enduring commitment to family. Their resilience and tireless work ethic are qualities I deeply admire. Additionally, their unwavering faith and boundless generosity serve as guiding principles in both their lives and mine.

The most impactful advice my parents have imparted to me is to relentlessly pursue my dreams and prioritize investing in myself through education. They emphasized that the ultimate achievement lies in pursuing one’s greatest aspirations and continuously challenging oneself. They instilled in me the belief in something greater than oneself, encouraging me to give back to the community and strive to become my own boss. They cautioned against the trap of working solely for others, emphasizing that doing so often means serving someone else’s dreams and goals rather than realizing my own. It is this invaluable guidance and wisdom accumulated over the years that emboldened me to take a leap of faith and establish my own small business.

Alma , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a deep affinity for hospitality. My passion for hospitality traces back to my childhood. Watching my father dedicate endless hours to work, I took it upon myself to ensure that dinner became a cherished time for our family. As a young girl, I would transform into a restaurant host, meticulously setting the dinner table with napkins, silverware, and glassware. I would then escort my siblings to their designated seats, and they eagerly played along with my imaginative endeavors. Even at that tender age, I found immense joy in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for others.

It is moments like these, woven into the fabric of my life, that have fueled my desire to pursue hospitality in my own way. Together with my husband, who shares my passion for entertaining our loved ones, we embarked on the journey to launch Cordial Co. Our shared love for gathering with family and friends, coupled with a deep appreciation for creating memorable experiences, inspired us to bring our beverage experience vision to life.

We take great pride in delivering a memorable beverage experience. Utilizing a fully renovated vintage 1974 Piaggio Ape, we pour beverages with a touch of nostalgia and elegance. Our mission is to provide our clients with a delicately crafted and exquisite service that leaves a lasting impression. From joyous celebrations to milestone moments like weddings, we are dedicated to enhancing the experience for all who entrust us with their special occasions.

My greatest source of pride lies in the unwavering dedication and personalized attention I invest in each and every client. My ultimate goal is to create a profoundly beautiful and memorable experience that resonates long after our interaction. Whether it’s from the moment they first visit our website, engage in email correspondence, or experience our service firsthand, I am committed to ensuring that every touchpoint reflects the essence of exceptional hospitality. As a fervent advocate for the hospitality industry, I firmly believe that everyone deserves nothing short of top-notch customer service.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Overthinking is a common challenge for many entrepreneurs, myself included. At times, it became detrimental to my well-being and productivity, prompting a necessary shift in mindset. For instance, I found myself obsessing over the future of Cordial Co., fixating on metrics like numbers and social media following, constantly tweaking captions and posts, and incessantly checking emails.

However, I soon came to the realization that this hyper-focus was largely self-imposed. In truth, the outside world didn’t scrutinize every detail as intensely as I did. So, I made a conscious decision to redirect my energy towards action rather than overanalysis. I began trusting in my crafted action plans and accepting that I had done my utmost. By letting go of the need for perfection and embracing a mindset of execution, I find greater peace and efficacy in my entrepreneurial journey.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A friend suggested I explore The Life Coach School Podcast, promising it held a transformative tool capable of reshaping one’s life. Intrigued, I delved into the episodes and found myself captivated by the insights offered. It’s powerful concept: the correlation between our circumstances, thoughts, feelings, actions, and the results they manifest.

Eager to deepen my understanding, I decided to enroll in Brooke Castillo’s Get Coached coaching class. While the podcast primarily addresses life coaching principles, I discovered that the skills imparted were incredibly applicable to both my personal and professional endeavors, including my business and interactions with clients.

I wholeheartedly endorse taking advantage of the free podcast and contemplating enrollment in the coaching class. Investing in oneself is a priceless endeavor, and the knowledge gained from these resources is bound to yield invaluable returns.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cordialco.com
• Instagram: @cordialco_
• Other: Pinterest: CordialCo_

Image Credits
Imagery from Sonya Kammes for Cordial Co.’s brand shoot. @SonyaKammes