We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natalie Marino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natalie below.

Alright, Natalie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

From the moment I was born, I knew God had a plan, a destiny for which I was committed to navigate, embrace and celebrate. I am the first born in my family, and love the fact that I get to be a sister, mom, mentor and bestie to my baby sister. As a total Capricorn Jefa, I have been hustling since I was 15, always attracted to how people make money, how businesses run, and how to provide and be successful. Difference between now and then, is a couple of eye opening situations, turning and tipping points that have shaped me into the person I am today. A big breakthrough in my life was becoming a mother. Sophia was my first born, then came Turner, my lover boy. My motherhood journey allowed me to have a paradigm shift in life and tapping into my emotions allowed me to be aware of feelings and my soft side, knowing I had 2 little ones depending on me, motivated me beyond limits. Let’s take it back to circa “The Great Awakening of 2020” a time where we were all challenged mentally, physically and professionally, it was a time that called us to unplug and understand what success made me feel like. For me it was understanding how unplugging from the matrix of corporate America could possibly uncover a much more fulfilling and impactful life. However these thoughts were scary. In April 2020, I had landed an opportunity that changed my career trajectory, mid-pandemic, with a title that made me feel validated, seen and celebrated. However, I kept having that empty feeling, the one we get when we check off those dreams that we end up knowing aren’t part of our destiny or purpose. Then came my best friend, Lauren Marsicano, a queen, a boss, a lawyer, a networking maven and a woman determined and driven to test me, to question and to challenge what made me happy. Throughout the pandemic Lauren was hosting virtual events, and with the flexibility of working from home I started participating and showing up for her, but inadvertently I was showing up for myself and what was to come. At this time, Lauren and I started having conversations where we would make notes, talk about inspirations, dreams and all things we love. Little did we know that she was “business coaching” me and I was starting to see a light. A light that turned into an escape, a space where I would work late nights and it felt good in my heart, it felt right and slowly that light became hope. Hope is the certainty that something makes sense. And what made sense to me is The Latina Techie, and to ensure the future of STEM is brilliantly diverse and celebrated.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started in PEO, Professional Employer Organizations, this was my very first corporate opportunity when I was 20 years of age. My title was Benefits Coordinator, where I would offer compensation packets for you that best suited your needs. Slowly I came to understand that I had a bigger capacity to tap into, and I led the enrollment software launch as the Benefits Business Analyst. Me being me led me to specific opportunities, one being part of the first beta team on a project, this was my big breakthrough in tech. After I became a Mother I took over as Head of Client Technology where I would lead applicant tracking, onboard employees, and implementation of software in this arena. Later this led me into Human Resources Tech, where I worked as a sales partner to showcase technology. This meant we handled integrations between systems, we were the gatekeepers of the system, it started and ended with my team. You know when you know, and as I started embracing my love for tech, I was being prepared for my current role, as Senior Product Owner at ADP, as of April 2020. Currently, I own a Benefits Solutions Modeling Tool, I build products for ADP associates: Internal Facing Associations, create sales proposals for our prospects and own a Multiemployer plan for the PEO.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When you position yourself as community-made, and to serve by providing spaces where I can equip, encourage and empower Latina’s in STEM to realize their full potential and how to claim a seat at the table or create your own table it’s hard to step back and analyze or realize those who are authentic and genuinely are here to support and celebrate with you. Determining which communities truly serve me has been my biggest challenge. Understanding that alignment and necessity are two components that must exist for you to need my services. But one thing is true, and that is that for me Business is personal. So that relationship we are cultivating from the root is with intention, loyalty and integrity. We are in this together, and for the long run.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

86% of consumers say that authenticity is a key factor when deciding which brands they like, support and do business with. For me providing a space and a platform where you are seen, serviced and equipped is an experience that builds trust, loyalty and credibility, which in turn yields happy clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thelatinatechie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_dragomarino/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliedragomarino
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliedrago/
• Other: Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@thelatinatechie

Image Credits
Raices Media Marketing Agency