We were lucky to catch up with Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gabriela , appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
If I could go back in time, I would have started, Latinas Rising, sooner, not just for my own benefit, but to have empowered more women earlier in my journey. The mission of Latinas Rising has always been clear to me—to elevate Latina voices and empower women to reach their full potential. Looking back, I wish I had started sooner so that I could have supported more women who needed a platform and mentorship along the way.
That said, I also recognize that I had to be in the right place personally and professionally before I could fully put myself out there. Although I have dreamed about a business to support women for a long time, I was navigating my own comeback after divorce, moving to a new state and city and the death of 2 of my children. I had an MBA but was feeling disconnected from the roles I was being offered. Starting the business when I did, after years of experience and personal growth, was what made me ready to take on such an ambitious and meaningful mission.
The timing of when I started the business allowed me to approach it with the clarity and resilience needed to face challenges and embrace the opportunity to serve others. It also took lots of conversations with my cofounder to get to the point in our relationship to move forward with confidence.
Starting the business was about timing, but also about readiness to put myself out there—something I don’t think I would have been able to do before I truly understood my own worth and the impact I could make.
Gabriela , 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’m Gabriela Ramirez Arellano, and I’m passionate about empowering women and amplifying their voices. Through my work with Latinas Rising, I focus on helping women break through barriers and achieve personal and professional growth. I founded Latinas Rising alongside Esmeralda Aharon, and together, we create platforms for leadership, mentorship, and community building.
My journey into this work wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by personal challenges and career shifts that ultimately led me to the place I am today. After facing personal hardships, I found myself reevaluating my purpose. It was during this time of transition that I realized my calling: to empower other women, using my skills, my voice, and my experiences. I am a mom, marathon runner, author, community member and language access advocate
Latinas Rising is a consulting and empowerment firm dedicated to supporting Latina women in all areas of their lives. We provide coaching, mentorship, and community-building initiatives aimed at helping women build stronger professional networks, embrace their authentic voices, and achieve success on their own terms. One of the projects I’m most proud of is *Calladitas Rising*, an anthology of 32 Latina authors, which became a #1 international bestseller. The success of this project reflects our goal of helping women reclaim their narratives and amplify their voices.
What sets Latinas Rising apart is our unwavering focus on building a strong sense of belonging, whether in business, leadership, or community-building spaces. We are creating tailored experiences that help our authors and program members find their voices, make meaningful connections, and access opportunities that align with their goals and values. The work we do is not just about professional development; it’s about fostering a community that nurtures women’s leadership and celebrates their unique contributions.
I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on the Latino community in St. Louis in the last 9 years—whether it’s through my podcast, Autentico, keynotes I have given, individual coaching sessions, mentorship programs, or larger initiatives like *Calladitas Rising*. It’s been an honor to see the small businesses and women I have worked with grow, thrive, and step into their power.
For those who are just getting to know me, I want you to know that my work is driven by a deep commitment to elevate and amplify marginalized voices. I firmly believe that when we empower women, we are not only creating opportunities for them but for entire communities. My brand is centered on authenticity, empowerment, and building a legacy of strong, resilient women who support each other and grow together.
If you’re looking for mentorship, community, or guidance on how to step into your own power, Latinas Rising is here to help. We offer personalized services that meet you where you are and guide you to where you want to go. I’m excited to connect with more women and continue this journey of empowerment together.
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I first started using social media, I wasn’t focused on “building an audience”—I was focused on building connections. My journey began with sharing my personal story: my experiences as a Latina, a military veteran, a mother who faced profound loss, and an advocate for equity and belonging. I spoke from the heart about my faith, resilience, and service, and I believe over time, people resonated with that authenticity.
I didn’t chase trends or worry about numbers. Instead, I engaged in real conversations, supported others in their journeys, and stayed true to my purpose. Whether I was advocating for women veterans, highlighting issues of healthcare equity, or celebrating the voices of Latinas in leadership, I made sure my content had meaning. I feel people followed because they felt seen, heard, and inspired.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the defining moments of my journey—one that truly tested and solidified my resilience—was when I faced a life-threatening pregnancy while serving in the United States Air Force. I was diagnosed with placenta percreta, a rare and severe condition that put both my life and my unborn child’s at risk. Doctors told me the stakes were high, and I had to make an impossible choice.
In that moment, I didn’t think about fear—I thought about faith. I thought about my calling to serve, not just in uniform but in life. I chose to fight for my child, even if it meant risking everything. During surgery, I lost 14 units of blood, hovering between life and death. But I survived. And so did my baby.
That experience changed me forever. It gave me a deeper sense of purpose and an unshakable commitment to helping others find strength in their struggles. It also taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about rising from it with purpose.
But the most defining moment of my resilience came with the heartbreaking loss of my son, Hillel, to sudden infant death syndrome. Nothing prepares a mother for that kind of pain—the kind that shatters your world and leaves you searching for meaning in the emptiness.
In the depths of my grief, I had a choice: to let the pain consume me or to transform it into something greater. I chose to serve. Just months after losing my son, I enlisted in the United States Air Force, dedicating myself to a mission bigger than my own suffering. I wanted to be of service to others, to find purpose in helping people navigate their own struggles, and to build a life that honored the son I lost.
The military became the place where I rebuilt myself. Through deployments, challenges, and 26 years of service in the Chaplain Corps, I learned that resilience isn’t about forgetting pain—it’s about carrying it forward with purpose. My son’s memory fuels everything I do, from advocating for women veterans to mentoring Latinas, and amplifying their voices through Calladitas Rising and this fall, through Amigas Rising.
Because resilience isn’t just surviving hardship—it’s choosing to rise, again and again, and helping others do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://latinas-rising.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinas_rising/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatinasRising
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharones/ —- https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinas-rising/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LatinasRising
