Throughout her life, Martha has proven that hard work, dedication, and a love for her roots can lead to personal and professional success. As an entrepreneur and mother, she has built a legacy that celebrates her Colombian heritage while inspiring others to follow her example.
Education and Personal Growth
From an early age Martha understood the importance of continuing education and organization in her daily life. Over the years, she took classes to learn how to use programs like Excel and Word, tools she considers essential for maintaining order and efficiency in managing her businesses. Additionally, she has always taken advantage of online resources and participates in weekly conference calls about grants and new tools that allow her to manage her finances more efficiently.
Living Within Her Means and Teaching the Value of Saving
Responsible money management has been a constant in Martha’s life. Affectionately known as the “Coupon Queen,” she learned to value every dollar and live within her means. This philosophy not only allowed her to achieve financial stability but also instilled in her three children the value of saving and hard work, helping each of them become successful and hardworking individuals.
Celebrating Colombian Culture at Home and in Business
Martha never forgot her Colombian roots and understood from a young age the importance of preserving the language and traditions. She raised her children in a bilingual home, teaching them Spanish from a young age through books that also conveyed Christian values. For her, bilingualism is an invaluable tool that opens doors and connects generations.
Every Sunday, the family would wake up early to make arepas with eggs and share breakfast, a tradition her son Josh remembers with special fondness. This nostalgia was one of the reasons that motivated him to found Makers & Finders, a restaurant that pays homage to Colombian heritage by including arepas and empanadas on its menu.
Inspiration for the Latina Community
As a proud Latina, Martha has faced numerous challenges with determination and faith. She recognizes that the power of community lies in financial knowledge and the ability to organize to achieve goals. Therefore, she advises other Latinos to improve their financial habits, seek support when necessary, and never give up.
A legacy of love and perseverance
Martha attributes much of her success to the influence of her mother, a courageous woman who left Colombia to make her way in the United States. Her example of hard work and sacrifice inspired Martha to build an independent and successful life, undeterred by adversity.
Today, Martha continues to manage her businesses with her family, sharing her passion for Colombian culture through Makers & Finders and other projects. Her message to the community is clear: it doesn’t matter where we come from, but where we are going. With hard work, faith, and unity, dreams come true.