Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalila Ramos.
Hi Dalila, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been on fire, literally! I remember it too. The first 2 decade of my life were full of pain. The kind of pain a lot of people do not go through. But this pain has become a passport for me to help people. I was involved in a fire as a child at 4yrs old. I suffered 3rd degree burns over 40% of my body. When you’re little, it looks like your whole body. I spent months in the burn unit at Illinois Masonic Hospital Chicago and managed to survive by the grace of God. I had the bestest most amazing Grandmother (Mami Aida) by my side who never left. The fire was caused by me playing with matches, so my Mom got taken away from me until they finished an investigation. It was an accident, my Mother never hurt me.
Fast forward 12 yrs later, I get diagnosed with cancer (Ewings Sarcoma). At 15 they found a tumor in my left humorous bone. My whole left arm had to be reconstructed, 3 surgeries, 2yrs of chemo therapy, radiation, and a lot of physical therapy, I survived again, by the grace of God. Mami Aida stayed right by my side. My poor Mother had her moments but she loved me so much.
I have 2 young adult sons, have been in the mortgage/homeownership industry for 23 yrs, AND, I eat tacos for a living! Yup, you heard right! Back in 2019 I wanted to niche myself in my industry. I called up one of my besties who was doing really well with his brand. He was the Cowboy of Real Estate. He told me, combine something that your passionate about, with mortgage. The following Tuesday I recorded my first Taco Tuesday Talks w/Dalila. I went to a local taco shop, ordered a taco, and started talking about mortgage, real estate, diversity in our industry, and so on. It took off! During covid my platform (LinkedIn) become an outlet for me to stay connected virtually, build a brand, and form new relationships. In early 2022, I was let go from my VP job at a mortgage company, it was that weekend after being let go that I prayed and made a decision to move forward with Taco Tuesday and make it a full fledge career. Here I am over 2 yrs later still eating tacos. I now have paid guest come on my Taco series. My company offers marketing, social media management, content creation, and recruiting in the mortgage and financial services space. I have now started dipping into other industries as well. I am also an investor. I own a few properties in different states and am huge advocate of the power of homeownership with in the black/brown communities and single women.
I lost my Grandma and my Mom recently back to back. I will forever be grateful for everything they did for me and how much love they gave me. I was born and raised in the projects of Chicago. Even though those were tough times and neighborhoods, I had the most amazing childhood. Most importantly, my Grandma taught me about Jesus, and keeping hold of your faith no matter what comes your way. That has allowed me to navigate life. I know that whatever comes my way, I can get through it. I always bet on myself, stand firm in my foundation and if I fall, it’s ok. What’s the worse that can happen? I have already been on fire, literally!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nope! it has been bumpy as sh*t, lol! Apart from what I shared on the following page. My struggles include being in a wheelchair, relearning things like, getting dressed, feeding yourself, and tying your shoes. I graduated high school bald. Was told I might not be able to have children (I have 2 boys) divorce, death, etc…
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?
My company specializes in marketing, social media management, content creation, and recruiting, and in the mortgage/financial services space. I do all of this while growing my brand which is eating tacos all over the country! By the way, Chicago has the best tacos! I said what I said : )
I want people to know that if you are a business owner, entrepreneur, in sales, etc… you have to be visible! Social media has become the way most people absorb information.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
This is not fair because of my story. Like I mentioned, anytime I need to take a risk or “bet on myself” I pray and always tell myself, what can wrong, I have already been on fire!
Contact Info:
- Website: loveandtacosmedia.com
- Instagram: Tacogirl917
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dalila.ramos.9461799
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dalila-ramos
Image Credits
Charlie Johnson Emmitt Smith
