Community Highlights: Meet Maria Alcantar of VC Expo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Alcantar.

Hi Maria , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had no plans of starting this business. For years, I worked in healthcare as a dialysis tech and scrub tech. Life shifted when I faced my own health battle and had to step away from everything I knew. During that time, I built something from nothing. What started as a way to cope turned into a purpose. That’s how Diva Studios was born. Not just to enhance bodies, but to help women feel confident, seen and empowered in their own skin.

But my journey didn’t stop there.

VC Expo was later created from something deeper. Honoring my mom (also a business owner) who has been by my side through this journey. What began as a tribute, grew into a platform that brings entrepreneurs together, giving them visibility, connection and opportunity to grow.

Getting to where I’m at has been far from easy. There was a lot of self-doubt, a lot of negativities from people but at the same time I met some incredible individuals who truly supported me and believed in my work. That support pushed me to keep going and it opened doors I never imagined.

Today, I’m not just organizing events but I’m creating spaces where business owners can elevate, connect and step into their next level. And this is only the beginning!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been far from smooth. Walking into something new and unstable was scary. Just like any business owner, the fear of financial uncertainty and the self-doubt was a challenge on its own.
Trying to be taken seriously in new spaces, as I was learning something new from scratch was so hard. And all this while still dealing with my health and balancing while being a mom.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
VC Expo was created with passion. Every event I do has a purpose or intention. One of my most known events is my yearly Spring Quinceañera Expo. I believe the passion for what I do reflects in my work. What sets me apart is that I am not afraid to step out of the box to create something different. One of the things I am most proud of is that my brand is not only known for expos, but also for the numerous charities and community events I create for the people around me.

How do you define success?
Success is waking up in the morning to a life you’ve built and don’t feel the need to escape from.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @vc_expo
• Facebook: VC Expo