Today we’d like to introduce you to Esmeralda Perales.
Hi Esmeralda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I had just moved back home to LA after living in NY for 13 years. I was looking for classes for my boys, who were then nine months and two years old, that were in Spanish. One of my hopes as a mom is to raise bilingual boys. I want them to be fluent Spanish speakers. My plan was to immerse them in as much Spanish as possible during the first five years. Having enjoyed a Spanish music class with them in Brooklyn, I was surprised to find there were no options in L.A. Determined to provide that immersion, and with the added consideration of contributing to our household income as a new stay-at-home mom, the idea struck me: why not teach the class myself? This venture wasn’t solely about language; I also hoped to connect with other mothers who shared similar aspirations. I started by sharing information about my classes on local Facebook parent groups. I eventually moved to Instagram to reach a wider audience. Slowly but surely, my online presence and the interest in my Spanish classes began to grow.
While Tesoros might seem like a new endeavor, the spirit of entrepreneurship isn’t new to me at all. My father, who immigrated from Argentina, has run a successful handyman business for almost fifty years, providing me with a firsthand understanding of what it means to be your own boss. In fact, Tesoros isn’t the first business I’ve tried my hand at. Over the years, I’ve explored various creative outlets, from teaching sewing lessons to both kids and adults, to designing and selling handmade leather bags, and even leading crafting classes at local bars. While I’ve enjoyed the creativity and challenges of my past businesses, Tesoros has been significantly different. It has not only been the most successful in terms of reach and impact but also the most personally fulfilling. There’s a unique satisfaction in providing a valuable service that aligns with my personal values and goals for my children.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It really surprised me just how well my classes were received. I had parents coming from as far as sixty miles to bring their children, which was incredibly flattering. At the same time, it highlighted a clear need for more classes in Spanish for kids in all areas.
I’ve expanded my class offerings to include more days and times, and I also explored different locations. Some have been quite successful, which is encouraging. However, others haven’t quite taken off as I’d hoped.
Being a stay-at-home mom to two young boys definitely presents a balancing act when it comes to my business. It’s a constant consideration of how much time and energy I can realistically invest. While the work brings me a lot of joy and fulfillment, it’s still demanding, and there are times when I feel that pull between my professional aspirations and my family responsibilities.
There have been moments of self-doubt, where I question whether I’m making the right decisions and if my efforts are truly making a difference. However, the more I observe the current political climate and its impact, the more I feel a strong desire to build a larger, more supportive community with valuable resources to offer. That sense of purpose keeps me motivated to continue growing Tesoros.
Beyond the initial challenges of finding suitable Spanish classes and then taking the leap to create my own, I also encountered the hurdle of learning to navigate social media as a promotional tool. Having rarely posted on my personal profile, I suddenly found myself needing to quickly adapt to a whole new way of engaging online. I’ve always had a somewhat cautious relationship with social media, being mindful of the potential for unrealistic depictions of life and not wanting to get overly consumed by it. Yet, to promote Tesoros, I found myself needing to be much more active online, constantly monitoring my phone for messages and comments fearing I might miss an opportunity to connect with a potential family. Despite these personal reservations, I have to acknowledge that platforms like Instagram, have been incredibly beneficial in promoting my business and connecting with the families I aim to serve.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My Spanish immersion classes are designed to be engaging and fun for young children and their parents. I incorporate a variety of activities, including singing, dancing, playful games and puppets. My classes are held at local parks and some indoor. A key element of my teaching philosophy is to authentically represent Latin American culture through music. That’s why the songs I use are primarily by artists from all over Latin America, rather than simply translated English songs. I believe it’s important for the children to be exposed to the richness and diversity of the latin culture. Understanding the short attention spans of young learners, I ensure that most songs are no longer than two minutes. My own two boys serve as my initial focus group – if a song is a hit with them, I have a good feeling it will resonate with the other children as well. Our puppet friends, Citlali and Coco, are integral to the class experience. Citlali, with her braids and traditional Mexican dress, helps me welcome everyone to class. Coco, on the other hand, is a perpetually hungry crocodile! We have a special ‘casita de Tesoros’ (little house of treasures) where the children take turns pulling out an item for Coco to ‘eat,’ which is always a big hit. Creativity is deeply ingrained in who I am.
Before embarking on this journey as Maestra Esmeralda, I spent over fifteen years working in the fashion industry. Having worked in a creative field gave me the tools I use to design all the graphics, visual materials, unique props and coloring posters. I’m currently developing a t-shirt line that will feature images of our popular puppets, Coco and Citlali. I see this as a fun way for children to connect with the characters they know and love from the classes. It’s important to me that children, including my own, grow up feeling a strong connection to their heritage and a sense of pride in their roots. I want to offer t-shirts that celebrate impactful figures from Latin American history and culture, like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Pura Belpré. These shirts are a way to introduce children to these important individuals and help them feel a sense of belonging and pride.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me, above all else, is fostering a strong community of like-minded families who believe in the importance of passing on the Spanish language to their children. I see this as a vital way to preserve and strengthen our culture for future generations.
My sister once asked if I would still do this work even if it wasn’t a source of income, and my answer was a definitive yes. While financial sustainability is important for any business, it’s not my primary motivation. This is precisely why I host bilingual playdates, informal gatherings in the park where families come together with the main goal of simply hanging out and speaking Spanish in a relaxed and supportive environment. And yes Spanglish is allowed lol. I’ve also created a Facebook group for families involved with Tesoros. The purpose of this group is to provide a platform for parents to connect with each other and organize their own informal playdates within their local neighborhoods. I myself have made friends and for that I am grateful.
Beyond the cultural significance, it’s also deeply important to me that my boys see their mom as a strong, driven woman pursuing something she passionately believes in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tesoros.org
- Instagram: tesoros_ig
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tesorosfamilia/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tesoros-musica?si=QAcgwJjF2w5nsKdi
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tesoros-south-pasadena
