Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Hernández Jaimes.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Orange County, I’ve always been proud of my heritage, roots, and Mexican culture. My love for my culture inspired me to move to Mexico, a place that I’ve always seen as home. Since a young age, I was also fascinated with journalism and I discovered my passion for interviewing people and creating a safe environment for them to share their stories with me. While studying Communications at the Universidad del Valle de México, I also discovered the wonderful world of radio and co-hosted my own film radio show at 18. The years I lived in Mexico really helped me hone my skills and deepen my love for my Latino community.
I was able to interview important business and political figures in the housing sector of Mexico, work for the morning news at Canal Once, and communicate to my Latino community of Southern California through news articles. It was a dream come true to see my interviews get published in newspapers and magazines.
Unfortunately, the media company I had been working for in Mexico City shut down and I was laid off. I decided to move back to Orange County and changed my path towards marketing. The first three years of living in the OC weren’t happy and I would question myself if I had made the right decision. Although I didn’t show it, I kept working and hoping that soon I would accomplish my professional goals.
After being laid off the second time in my professional career, I decided to start a project that I’ve always been passionate about but never had the time to do. I’ve always wanted to hear stories of Latinas and learn more about their professional journeys in the media. Instead of complaining that I didn’t get to listen to these stories, I decided it was time to create a space through my podcast, Ellas. Ellas uplifts the journeys of Latinas and I’m able to combine all my passions. Interviewing, podcasting, and sharing the professional stories of hardworking, talented Latinas who are paving the path for the current and future generation to continue with their own professional dreams. It’s now been a year of cultivating this inspiring community and I’m so fortunate to motivate my community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s the beauty of life. I now realize that all the obstacles that I’ve encountered and doors closed that came across my path happened for a reason. Being laid off twice before 26 taught me that I can’t place my worth in a job. I discovered that it was time to say goodbye to the specific road I was so persistent in taking. I learned that I needed to take new paths and place my passion and skills to causes that I’m passionate about. All the obstacles and challenges that I’ve faced have molded me to become the woman that I am today, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Ellas – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ellas is a podcast where I speak with inspiring Latinas who are living their professional dreams. As a career podcast, I get to talk with these talented mujeres who have faced obstacles, overcome them, and accomplished their goals. From language barriers to schooling and professional roadblocks. Ellas brings forth the strong voices of these women. Their stories encourage our current and younger generation to continue the pursuit of their professional and personal goals, and most importantly to remind us that we’re not alone.
I’m proud that these inspiring conversations have cultivated a strong community that motivates my listeners. That has always been the mission and to know that with each episode, Ellas has been able to touch in a positive way the life of a Latina is what I’m most proud of.
What sets Ellas apart from other career podcasts is that we focus on the voice and story of the Latina women. Ellas has always uplifted the diverse journeys and lives that each guest has experienced. Latinas don’t fit into one box, we have the beauty of different cultures, languages, experiences, and upbringing. In Ellas, we highlight all of this with the purpose to connect with our Latina listeners who might find similarities in these conversations or discover and learn from the many women that are living different lives from their own.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’ve had many, but the one that brings me pride and joy is that I get to meet and speak with Latinas who inspire me to continue with my professional goals. It’s been amazing to not only share their stories but to create wonderful friendships with them that motivate me to dream big.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-hWolxLfybqJqtEl6tor-g
- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ellas/id1459601473
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