Welcome to my newsletter! This newsletter edition features everything I love: my native country, Chile; entrepreneurship; and exciting news about one of my earliest collaborators. Shall we? Let’s start at the beginning.
Did you know I worked as a lawyer before becoming an entrepreneur?
It’s true. I left Chile in the 90s’ to attend Harvard Law School, and after practicing for 10 years, I was utterly burned out. I needed a change. But I had no exit plan.
During one of my visits to Chile in 2011, I was approached by my cousin to help him design a new type of live event. I suggested an entrepreneurship event. He looked at me dumbfounded. I envisioned an event where young people meet to pitch their business ideas amidst a fun, party atmosphere with live music. He did not understand, but when he went to sell event sponsorships to Virgin Mobile, which was opening in Chile, they said no, thank you, we are only sponsoring entrepreneurship events. He showed a video I had shared with him and boomed; we closed 100k in sales, our first sale for our event. Our event, Common Pitch Chile, featured performing artists like Devendra Banhart and Devotchka, raised over 1 million dollars, and even attracted the attention of Al Gore, who attended and gave a keynote address. 10k people attended! Check it out here.
This epic event was the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey. All it took was a desire to change careers, a trip to Chile, and a random question from my cousin. The rest is history.
My dream is to help others take the same epic journey into entrepreneurship.
Work with me!
As many of you know, I have been through a lot during my startup career. I have created vibrant communities, been ahead of my time (way ahead!), received millions in funding, sold a business, been in abusive relationships with the wrong investors, gained and lost co-founders, and attracted numerous press mentions and fortune 500 customers. You name it, I have been through all—the good and the bad.
During my startup career, I have faced intense anxiety, jealousy, fear, desperation, and depression. Before Covid, being an entrepreneur meant traveling a lot, and I felt like a bad mother for not spending time with my young children. My partner, who is not an entrepreneur, did not understand what I was going through and didn’t know how to support me. I felt alone.
As an immigrant, I felt I was disappointing everyone back home. I came to the United States to attend law school at Harvard! I had achieved massive success: a high salary at a fancy NY law firm. And I had left it all. For what?
But entrepreneurship has been transformational, and I am very happy I left my corporate law career.
This crazy journey to my passion has encouraged me to seek inner peace relentlessly. Today, inner peace and calm (also called happiness) are the critical metrics for my success. My main tools for inner peace are spiritual philosophy, mindfulness, and introspection. I have learned how to deal with emotions as they arise by acknowledging them, processing them, and letting them go.
As entrepreneurs, we need the energy to execute our vision. Fear, worry, anxiety, impatience, and over-ambition are obstacles because they consume energy and empty our energy tanks.
How do we become a creative force? How do we channel universal energy effortlessly and with fun, perseverance, and self-belief to make things happen?
Please work with me one-on-one, and find out. I am opening weekly slots for hourly consultations on strategy, networking, mental health, and more.
Launching Memo: A New Platform for Professionals, Entrepreneurs, and Creators
I am very excited to be a founding member of Memo, created by my long-time friend, mentor, and partner/investor Isaac Saldana.
What is Memo?
Memo is a new digital platform to showcase your expertise. Having a trusted and recognized voice in the digital era should not be limited to celebrities or self-promoters (not that there's anything wrong with them). Memo aims to democratize the existing social media algorithms and reinvent who is considered an expert. Memo is currently in private beta -- request early access at Memo.com.
They will be extending invitations on a rolling basis to slowly and carefully grow the community.
The Chilean Patagonia
I first fell in love with the Chilean Patagonia when I was 19.
On a recent trip back to Chile with my son, I re-discovered Patagonia and bought some land.
This past December, I was talking to a childhood friend who owns a vast section of land in Patagonia. His kids are older, and he is ready to sell. I am helping him find the right buyer for this pristine land.
If you want to learn more, email me at andrea@speak.careers, and I will share the details.
Speak_ News: Building our tech product.
We've been working on our strategic messaging at Speak_ to help shed light on the importance of the hiring experience for candidates.
Because I value your feedback, I would be grateful if you could review our latest manifesto for a few minutes. Specifically, it would be beneficial to know if anything in there needs to be clarified. You can click through and leave comments right on the Google Slides or book a call with me!
Chilean Textile Artist
On one of my recent trips to Chile, I discovered the fantastic fashion designer Eugenia Ibarra and her brand Ropa de Genero (RDG). Eugenia works with local communities and trains female weavers. Her materials include alpaca, wool, mohair, linen, and cotton in unexpected color combinations.
We have been showing her work in Boulder at Carolann Wachter Studios. Please email me to get an invite to our next pop-up!
Yes, I know everything from the start…