but I do believe that we all have

I never imagined I’d build the business I have today. For over 18 years, I worked as a teacher and while I loved what I did and how I impacted the lives of children and teenagers, I felt I could do more. I wanted to merge my personal and professional experiences and my deep desire to help others. That drive led me to found Family Secret Helpers, Inc. and later, multiple projects that have shaped my journey.

When I started my business, I wasn’t sure exactly what it would become. I just knew that I wanted to help people. The first service we offered was helping teenagers in low-income communities — encouraging them to pursue higher education and change the trajectory of their lives. We also supported people impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, offering donations and emotional support.

Soon after, I expanded my work to motivational speaking, focusing on veterans and helping non-English-speaking women with translation services. During the holidays, we created Care Boxes for active military members, filled with products and letters written by my students to let them know they were remembered.

Over time, my focus shifted, and I began working more closely with women, particularly survivors of domestic violence. We didn’t just provide immediate services; we helped these women regain their sense of identity, rebuild their self-esteem, and even start businesses to support themselves and their families. This work led to the creation of our BEmpower Victims program, which offers tools for women to rise from their challenges and create new opportunities for themselves.

Fast forward to today, and my work has grown into something that impacts even more lives. I’ve expanded my business into several new ventures that align with my passion for wellness, healing, and empowerment. I founded Ropana Yoga, a holistic practice that combines movement, mindfulness, and emotional healing. Through Alma Ropana, I created an online store that brings together soulful, boho-inspired products designed to support inner transformation. And with the Emputate, I’m helping people heal emotional wounds and reclaim their power after trauma. Emputate also helped me publish a book and start a podcast. These projects are all part of my ongoing mission to guide people toward living their best, most fulfilling lives.

It hasn’t always been easy. There were many moments when I questioned whether I could continue, wondering if the weight of responsibility would be too much. But the essence of why I started — to help others find their strength, purpose, and peace — is what has kept me moving forward.

One of the most impactful moments of my career came after hosting my own radio show. After one broadcast, I received a call from a listener who shared that my words had saved her life. She had been contemplating suicide, but something about that day’s show helped her realize that there was hope and a way to overcome her struggles. That moment, when I realized the power of reaching others, truly gave me chills and deepened my commitment to this work.

Life is about facing challenges, not empowering the problems we encounter. It’s about finding solutions and growing from adversity. This is why I share my story and run my business with the purpose of helping others. I, too, had reasons to give up and fade into the background, but I chose to rise and help others do the same.

Being a woman, a mom of two, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an entrepreneur is a challenge, but I wouldn’t change a thing — because this is who I am.

Looking back to 2012, when I first started my business, I feel immense pride in how far we’ve come and the positive impact we’ve made. Starting a business or pursuing a dream is never easy, but when you’re doing what you’re truly passionate about, it becomes one of the most rewarding journeys you can take.