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, appreciate you joining us today. 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.
Through my nonprofit High Tide Global, I work with making vocational education, entrepreneurship advice available for people coming from underserved communities as well as nurturing comprehensive solutions to motivation, mental health, and employment for the system-impacted community.
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 am an Educational Psychologist specializing in Vocational Rehabilitation. I was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in downtown L.A. in a 60-unit apartment sleeping four to a room and barely scraping by, and I am a first-generation Mexican American. It was my sisters and my mom. My parents had split before I was gone, and my father was in the judicial system most of my life. Growing up DTLW, I grew up living in fear. Drive-by shootings, gangs, and poverty were all part of my life, and I lived confined by my story and my surroundings. It wasn’t until later that I was able to see how my story shaped my life – and at that moment, I realized my power.
I started my first business out of my garage in 2006, creating SoCal’s biggest counseling center for injured workers. And two years ago I wanted to really make a difference, not just locally but also globally. Through my non.profit High Tide Global, my vision is to lift one billion lives through education and other resources by 2032, I work with schools and programs locally here in the Los Angeles area, and as far as Uganda to empower students by building confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
Entrepreneurs’ organizations recognized Hazel’s work and she is the 2023 Global Social Impact Award Recipient.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I am a big believer in empowerment and self-discovery. I had people believing in me, and that helped me see my potential. So I always make an effort to help in my community, both locally and when I travel – I call it travel with a purpose. And for me, it is important, that we we travel as entrepreneurs to a location where we also give back to the community we are visiting. To make a real impact. Just as important, it is also important that I find time for myself to work on my mindfulness and well-being – Dr.Joe Dispenza, Dr.Michael Beckwith are two examples of who are important for me to grow and expand as a person. Both personally and professionally.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
My first business that I started was to help injured workers navigate the system to make sure they get the help they need and fully understand the process. I started it because I had a work injury and had to navigate the system and saw how difficult it was. Especially if English is not your first language, and I knew I could make a difference here. To this day our business has helped over 40.000 injured workers get the help they need and further their education to better their own life. Education is a passion of mine, I know firsthand how that can change lives. And with the success of my business, – High Tide Global became another passion of mine to further make an impact for children and people from undeserved communities to help create a better vision and a better life for themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: hightideglobal.org
- Instagram: @hazelortega_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazel.o.ortega
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hazel-ortega-8b286248
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFSvZrRtLAZdaysiGvSsJQ
- Other: https://hazelortega.com/