Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Romero and Mirela Romero.
Hi Ana and Mirela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story begins long before “I Beliv You Matter” existed—before the office, before the logo, before the dream. It begins in Cuba, where both of us were born and raised under a dictatorship that shaped our lives in ways we didn’t choose and never wanted for our children. Leaving Cuba was one of the hardest decisions of our lives, but also the most important. We left because we wanted something priceless:freedom. Freedom to grow, to speak, to believe, to dream. Freedom for our children to have futures defined by opportunity, not limitations. That freedom became the foundation for everything we have built. We are sisters: Mirela and Ana Romero and “I Beliv You Matter” is not just a business for us. It is the result of years of sacrifice, courage, love, and faith.
I (Mirela) came to this country 13 years ago with my husband, Arturo, and our son, Andrew. We arrived with little more than hope. I had to learn a new language from scratch, adapt to a new culture, work full-time, be a mom, a wife, and somehow still keep my dreams alive. There were days I felt overwhelmed, but I kept going because I wanted my son to see that anything is possible with hard work. Becoming a BCBA in 2021 was one of the proudest moments of my life because it proved that sacrifices were worth it.
I (Ana) arrived 10 years ago with my husband and our son, Luka. Everything was new, everything was difficult, and everything was possible at the same time. I worked full-time while going to school, learning English, and raising my family. When my daughter, Khloe, was born in 2019, life became even more intense—two kids, work, homework, late-night studying. There were moments of exhaustion, but also moments of deep gratitude. I earned my BCBA certification in 2021, and it felt like the beginning of a new chapter not just for me, but for our whole family.
We chose ABA because we love children, and we deeply believe that every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential. After everything we lived through, we wanted to give back. We wanted to help families the same way this country helped us start over. We know firsthand what it feels like to fight for your child’s future, to face barriers, and to hope someone will stand beside you. That someone is what we wanted to become. Why “I Beliv You Matter”?The name reflects our heart. We believe every child matters.
Every family matters. Every small step matters.
To us, this agency is not just therapy, it’s love, community, advocacy, and hope. It’s a promise that no child is alone, no parent is unsupported, and no family is judged. Every time a child says a new word, makes a friend, learns a skill, or smiles with confidence, it reminds us why we do this. We put our hearts into this work because we truly, deeply love what we do. And we feel blessed to continue this journey every single day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely not been smooth; beautiful, yes, but not easy. Our journey has been filled with challenges, sacrifices, and moments that tested our strength and determination.
Coming to the United States from Cuba meant starting over from zero. We arrived with dreams, but without language, without financial security, without the support systems most people take for granted. Learning English as adults while raising families and working full-time was a daily challenge. Every homework assignment, every exam, every shift at work after a sleepless night felt like a mountain we had to climb.
As mothers, we struggled with guilt and exhaustion—trying to be present for our children while dedicating hours to school, paperwork, trainings, and everything required to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. There were moments when we questioned if we could do it. But giving up was never an option. Our children were watching us, and our dream of giving them a life of freedom and opportunity pushed us forward.
Building “I Beliv You Matter” came with its own challenges. As immigrant women in business, we had to learn everything: from licensing and insurance requirements to hiring, compliance, financial planning, and navigating systems that were completely new to us. There were times when we felt overwhelmed, times when doors closed, times when we had to fight for credibility or for the needs of the families we serve.
But the hardest part was balancing it all: being mothers, wives, students, full-time employees, and now business owners. There were long nights, tears, sacrifices, and moments of doubt. Yet every challenge taught us something
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in high-quality ABA therapy, parent training, school support, and community integration for children with autism and developmental delays, blending evidence-based practice with a deeply personal, family-centered approach. What sets us apart is the heart behind our work. We are known for going above and beyond for our clients, supporting parents without judgment, individualizing every treatment plan, and creating a safe place for our families.What we want to be known off is that “I Beliv You Matter” is a community built on hope and inclusion; where children are celebrated, parents are empowered, and progress is measured not only in data but in breakthroughs, smiles, and moments that change lives.
What does success mean to you?
We define success in moments, small, powerful moments that remind us why we chose this field and why we sacrificed so much to be here. Success is hearing a child say their first word after months of work. Success is watching a parent cry because their child made eye contact, tried a new food, or finally slept through the night. Success is seeing a shy, nonverbal child walk into our center and suddenly feel safe, accepted, and loved. Success is when a family who once felt alone begins to feel supported and hopeful again.
As immigrant women who started life over in a new country, we also define success as the ability to give our children opportunities and freedom we never had. Success is showing our kids that anything is possible through hard work, integrity, and compassion. It is building a business that reflects our values and creates a positive impact in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ibelivyoumatter.com
- Instagram: @ibelivyoumatter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550303304568
