Hola!
I am Alina, the founder of Women Who Market. Thank you so much for your interest in learning more about me.
I hope you have a few minutes to read this 'letter', but if you need to leave now, here are some quick facts about me:
I was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia. At 17 years old, I left my family back home and moved to the U.S. I went from cleaning toilets, to babysitting, to serving tables, and many more other jobs in between, to finally graduating from college with a bachelor’s in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in English Writing.
I worked on the advertising side, at both big and small agencies, and then transitioned to digital marketing working on the client side for nonprofits and software companies. I also had my own digital marketing business for a while. Now I'm pursuing an M.A. in Business and Marketing and utilizing all my experience, knowledge, and skills into growing Women Who Market.
Are you still with me? Yay! 💃 Please allow me to continue.
Why did I start Women Who Market?
Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to start Women Who Market, but it was not until the year 2019 that it became a reality.
Women Who Market did not have its current shape and form back then, but the desire was always consistent: To pursue my dream of changing the world.
You may be thinking: “Really? Changing the world? Not another one!”
I know it is the most unoriginal statement ever, but please hear me out. It is simply the truth; because ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to change the world. Or, at the very least, to change my world and make it a better place.
My Story
One of my most vivid memories as a child was lying in bed every night, and looking up through the window. My window had bars to prevent thieves from getting into our apartment but the bars did not bother me. I would look beyond them and stare at the trees, listen to the water running down the creek, gaze up at the stars, and imagine a different world.
Even at a young age, I knew some things weren’t right. Things like abuse, injustice, forced submission, and inequality – and I wanted to escape from that and create a new life for me. So, escape I did.
And while 2019 marked my 15-year anniversary of moving to the U.S., physical freedom does not automatically mean mental freedom.
Unlearning old stories takes time.
Facing and accepting reality, unlearning old stories, learning to trust one’s instincts, and believing in oneself takes time.
Ever since I moved to the U.S., life has forced me to face my fears, work on my shortcomings, speak my truth, and learn to love and trust myself. Now I can say I have learned to nurture myself. I have learned to trust myself and my instincts. It took me a long time, but now I know it is possible and achievable.
That is why I am so passionate about starting Women Who Market to help women envision a new story for themselves. To help them plan their own escape. To encourage them to go and make it happen.
Women Who Market focuses on teaching the basics of digital marketing to those looking for a break in their lives. Those who want to make a living out of something they like to do but don't know where to start. Those who may be stuck behind bars - physically or mentally - and want to break free and build a new reality for themselves.
I love to teach.
I have always known that teaching is my ultimate career goal, but it wasn’t until I started learning more about Economics that I finally saw my silver lining.
I use my passion for education and learning in a subject matter that I believe in — digital marketing — and that excites me to inspire more women to enter and succeed in the workforce. Women who, like me, don’t always know which way to go, but know they want to better themselves.
I never knew my worth growing up, but I always knew that there was something better for me somewhere in the world. It took courage to get up and leave, but I am so thankful I did because every experience that I have encountered has helped me to get to where I am today.
But I also know that having the courage to act is not easy to do, and that many of us need a little push, encouragement, and support, and that is what Women Who Market is here for. We provide a friendly, caring, and supportive environment to foster education and growth. It is a place where everyone can enjoy coming to class, have fun, feel motivated, and learn useful information that opens their minds to endless possibilities.
Ironically, from my apartment window today, I can still look out and stare at the trees, listen to the water running down the creek, and gaze up at the stars. But two things have changed. First, instead of imagining a different world, I am infinitely grateful for the world I have today. Secondly, my window has no bars 🤔 (... I think this is a good sign 💜).
Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading my 'letter' all the way to this point. It means the world to me.
If you want to spend more time together, please check out my LinkedIn profile to learn about my education and professional credentials 🤓, my personal Instagram account to stalk me and see if my life is exciting enough to meet your “I-want-to-follow” standards 😎, and my personal Facebook page to stalk me without the follow commitment lol 😁 - although I don’t post much in there anymore.
And finally, for those who are still here. Yes, you!
I would love to meet you and learn about you as well. Please check out our class schedule and join us for a class or send me an email at alina@womenwhomarket.com to schedule a time to meet - virtually, of course 😃.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to learn about me. I’m so excited to share my project with you and can’t wait to see where Women Who Market will help you go.
With love,
Alina :)