Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa ILardo.
Hi Elsa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and at age of 23 became single mom. I was finishing a bachelor’s degree in Communication, with focus in Advertising. Started my career as Account Executive of Nielsen Research and due to that experience decided to do my master’s degree in marketing. Looking for better professional experiences, and trying to survive financially as a young single mom, accepted a position as Trade Marketing / Marketing Coordinator for Coty Beauty. A company of personal care, cosmetics, and perfumes. My career was ascending but my toddler was needing me. I decided to resign and become an entrepreneur to be able to work from home and raise my kid. I became the founder of a magazine for moms.
For years I dedicated my live to raise my boy and look for sponsors of my magazine, working from home, from his basketball games, from the car… It was chaotic but amazing. Six years after, economic panorama changed in Puerto Rico and I was again in the need of a secure income. My son was finishing elementary school and more independent so I decided to accept a job as Group Brand Manager for Novartis, a pharmaceutical company. I grew fast in that company and became the Regional Marketing Manager for Central America so I was moved to Miami with my son. Eight months after that change, the division that I was part of was closing and I lost my job.
Looking for a city with a cost of lifeless expensive that Miami, but in the same state, I moved to lake Mary, 30 minutes north from Orlando. I accepted an offer to become a salesperson for an editorial house traveling around of Central America. Very short time after they saw my potential in marketing and they change my role for Marketing Manager.
I learn, grow, and change so much being in that position. I came to the city so lonely, but in the same building of the company, it was a church. I started visiting with my son that church and started learning the English language. Until that point, I always work for the Hispanic markets, so I never really need it. My life was transformed. I received healing from many things of my past life and my son and me received a family in the church. Two years later I meet this man of God in that church and he became my husband. Three years after our wedding my son meet a beautiful girl also in the church and they are getting married this year.
Today I work from home writing and publishing books in Spanish and supporting Hispanic people and their great stories through my platform Hispanos Media. I also coordinate events for couples with my husband, looking to drop the number of divorces in our Central Florida area through the ministry Live the life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest struggles was the language. Could sound as a joke, but you could be great in oratory, writing, and presentations in your language when you need to do the same in a new language you discover an insecurity that you never thought could be so rough. You have the knowledge, but you are not able to express your ideas and concept with the same accuracy that you can do in your native language. You start feeling insecure, lonely, and incapable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer now. I self-publish my books and help another author to make their dream of writing come true. My passion is to write novels. I publish my first one in 2020 called “Mi tabla de salvación” and that same year with the help of my husband I was able to translate it to English as “My Board of Salvation”. That English version received an award for best interior design and favorite in the category of Best Christian Fiction. After that, I publish the second part and also a devotional with my husband for couples that want to get married.
I think what set me apart is that I have the courage to go for my dream. One night of dreaming is enough for an entire day of being working on make that dream come true.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Many people that know me don’t know that writing was the dream of my life since a little girl. Never thought it was possible, but always knew that I will reach elder days writing novels.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elsailardo.com
- Instagram: elsa.ilardo
- Facebook: elsailardo
- Youtube: hispanosmedia
