Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hazel Ortega. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hazel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

In 2022 I founded a nonprofit called High Tide Global that works to ensure children have access to education, and through a special program donated to High Tide Global – we are helping children get the tools to create the skills they need to envision a better world for themselves. We have already launched this program in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Uganda – and in 2023 we are working with LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) and LA County of Education to pilot the program in select programs throughout the communities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up in Echo Park, Los Angeles – in a neighborhood controlled by one of the most dangerous gangs in the US – daily drive-by shootings were common and throughout my early years I lost several friends and family members to gangs and shootings. My own upbringing was influenced by my parents who were in and out of the judicial system. Growing up, this was the world I knew, and it was hard for me then to envision myself differently. It was only through people that saw things in me that I didn’t see and pushed me to reach for more. When I was 30 years old, I received my High School Diploma, and at the age of 36, I decided to start my own business from my own garage. I learned to visualize and create a better future for myself – and today I have multiple businesses and live a dream life.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being an entrepreneur is hard work, and often I fail. But the key is persistence and perseverance, learning from mistakes – improving the process and moving on.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One that comes to mind is how often we are stopped by obstacles and then use that narrative – or excuse to not move forward or pursue something. I remember when I was a kid, and I was at the beach with my sisters. I am not a good swimmer, so I was standing where the waves would break and get knocked down each time the waves came crushing in. Over and over and over again. After this had happened so many times, and I still was up trying to jump over the waves – my older sister turned and said to me: “duck under the wave”. The next time a wave came in – I ducked under, and suddenly I was in this calm surrounding and it was peaceful.Later in life this one comes to mind when I am facing an obstacle. Whenever there is an obstacle – don’t fight your way through it, but instead – look for another solution, a way around it. Be solution oriented, don’t focus on the problem – always focus on the end result and find a different way to solve it.

Contact Info:

• Website: hightideglobal.org
• Instagram: hightideglobal_2032

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