We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Rivas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Absolutely — I truly enjoy being a business owner because it has given me the freedom to manage my own time and the opportunity to grow not only professionally but also personally. It has allowed me to expand my vision and understand that there are no limits — that one business can lead to many more, and that every new project brings new lessons and possibilities.

Of course, if I ever had a regular job, I would still do it with happiness and the same dedication to always be my best. But I’m deeply grateful that, thanks to God, I’ve had the chance to create opportunities for others — to provide jobs and help people grow alongside me. That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I came to the United States 10 years ago with a simple but strong dream, to build a better future and one day have my own business. Not everything was easy, but every challenge helped me grow and learn. My first opportunity came when I co-founded a commercial and residential cleaning company, which became the foundation of my journey as an entrepreneur. Through that experience, I learned about hard work and responsibility, but also how to build and manage a business from the ground up. It wasn’t always easy, but that experience gave me the confidence and the tools to keep pursuing my next dreams.

As time went by and the business became more stable, I decided to continue my education. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and later a Master’s degree in Marketing and Business, something I had always dreamed of accomplishing. Those studies opened my mind to new possibilities and inspired me to explore other areas that I truly love —real estate and marketing.

I’m also a licensed real estate agent in Georgia and Florida, with five years of experience working with first-time buyers, sellers, and investors. In addition, I run a marketing agency that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs grow. Between those and my cleaning company, I currently manage 3 businesses, but I still see myself as someone who’s learning every day.

My goal is to keep growing, not only personally and professionally, but also by helping others create their own businesses and achieve their goals. I’m currently working on new projects that allow me to continue expanding and doing what I love: inspiring others to believe in themselves and take action toward their dreams.

More than anything, I’m grateful, for every opportunity, for the people who have trusted me, and for being able to do what I love while helping others, especially women, believe in their own potential.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to do everything by myself. For a long time, I thought that being strong and successful meant handling every responsibility alone, working nonstop and not asking for help. But over time, I realized that true growth comes from trusting others, building a team, and allowing yourself to receive support.

When I started my first business, I wanted everything to be perfect, and I tried to control every detail. It was exhausting, and I learned that trying to do everything alone only limits how far you can go. Once I started letting go and believing in others, not only did my businesses grow, but I also grew as a person and as a leader.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A moment when I really had to pivot was when I decided to go back to school while still running my first business. At that time, my cleaning company was already growing, but I felt a strong desire to keep learning and open new doors for my future.

Balancing both was not easy. I worked late at night and very early in the mornings, and sometimes I had only a few hours left to study. There were days when I had to study in my car, between jobs or while waiting for clients. It was a very demanding time, but it taught me discipline, patience, and how much we can achieve when we truly believe in what we’re doing.

That decision completely changed my path. It helped me discover new passions like marketing and real estate, and eventually led me to start two more businesses. Looking back, I realize that pivoting doesn’t always mean starting over, sometimes it’s about expanding your vision and trusting that every change is guiding you to something greater.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.innovationcleaningatl.com / www.bicommark.com / www.emilyrivas1.kw.com
• Instagram: @emilyrivass / @emilyrivasrealty / @bicommark
• Facebook: Emily Rivas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-rivas-b3b898242?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app