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Intro-Outro
Hello and welcome to Building Leadership Community Podcast. I'm your host, Dora Mendez. I am the founder and CEO of Coach Dora LLC. Our guests will be entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders that drive social impact. It can be lonely at the top, but it doesn't have to be.
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Coach Dora
Hello and welcome to Building Leadership Community Podcast. I'm your host, Dora Mendez. Thank you to all our listeners and viewers. And if you're new to our podcast, don't forget to like, share, subscribe and hit that little bell so you get a notification for when episodes are posted. So again, I really want to thank everyone for joining us since launching Building Leadership Community Podcast,
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Coach Dora
It has been nothing short of transformative. The journey has been fantastic. We've had some great conversation and as a as a champion of inclusive leadership, growth and connection, season two is all about deepening the conversations and expanding our impact. At its core, Building Leadership Community Podcast is about fostering authentic leadership and empowering professionals to build stronger, more engaged communities.
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Coach Dora
Every episode dives into strategies, insights, and personal stories to help you with your leadership journey and to help you navigate, with confidence and purpose. Let me tell you more about today's guest. I'm spotlighting the power of connection and shared wisdom and leadership. My guest today is someone I had the pleasure of meeting through the incredible network of United Latinas, a testament to strength and support within our community.
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Coach Dora
I'm pleased to welcome author, speaker, and founder of H.O.L.A. Books LLC, the Inspiring Heidi Monika Romer. Before I bring it to the stage, I just want to share. Heidi is not only a dynamic voice in leadership, but also my co-author and āBook-Sisterā In the impactful series Extraordinary Latinas, Volume 4. This collection shines a light on the remarkable journeys and contributions of Latina leaders,
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Coach Dora
and our involvement speaks volumes about our commitment to uplifting and sharing our stories aligned with the vision of this podcast. Get ready for an insightful conversation with a true advocate of leadership and the power of Latina voices. The wonderful Heidi Monika Romer. Welcome to the stage!
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Heidi
Hello.
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Heidi
Thank you for having me here today, Dora.
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Coach Dora
I'm so thrilled. And I meant all those things I said. And I'm about to, make you blush because I have more great things to say about you. I want to, if it's okay with you, I want to read your bio. So our listeners and viewers can get to know a little bit more about you. Is that okay?
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Heidi
Yeah, sure.
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Coach Dora
Heidi is a visionary leader and strategist with 15 years of experience driving impact across nonprofit and private sectors. As an author and speaker, she empowers organizations and individuals through insight on leadership, social impact, and personal growth. As a first generation American and bicultural leader. She has been a companion for diverse communities, particularly Latina women and professionals, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and networks to thrive.
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Coach Dora
Recognized with the prestigious Leadership Award, she serves on the United Latinas Board and continues to bridge worlds, break barriers, and drive meaningful change. So I am again, I'm so thrilled that you're on our show today and I can you, I really want you to start by sharing with our listeners and viewers your a little bit about your leadership story, your career journey.
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Heidi
Yeah. And, and I want to go back to, just to say thank you again for, including me as part of your vision as part of, Coach Dora, as part of, your podcast. You can pick anybody. So thank you for having me here, I appreciate you. And, when I think about leadership and I, I've been thinking about this more and more, you know, recently, I think it started even before I knew what leadership was.
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Heidi
Honestly, I feel like I've been taking care of myself since I was about 12 years old, honestly. Right? Figuring things out, navigating things, taking care of myself. You know, fast forward, you know, when I think about the jobs I've had, they were in support roles in, in service roles, right to serve others. And, you know, kind of I'm trying to give you cliff notes, right.
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Heidi
You know, and then, getting into really a place where I found purpose, which was community health, social determinants of health. Really working in community. I really think that was kind of my, my sweet spot where I found kind of, passion and purpose. And it's it really has been an evolution. And then fast forward to now, you know, I'm in my 40s and.
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Coach Dora
Oh, you didn't have to you didn't have the age yourself, let me stop, no Iām kidding.
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Heidi
Yeah. Let me tell you what is so great.
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Coach Dora
And this is I turned 50 in January.
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Heidi
So girl, you. God bless you, right? For the years young like real talk. Like I'm knockinā on 50, Dora. You know, in my 40s now, it's like, well, what else do I want to do? So I have, you know, entered into the entrepreneur space, and it is hard.
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Coach Dora
Yes. That is that is why we started this show, Heidi. I'm also, I'm in there, too. So why don't you share a little bit about the challenges? But also, I learned something from a, another guest, which āItās limitless, itās limitlessā wāre not, because we're working for ourself. It's limitless. And so, that's. I stole that from another guest, Gilleon, Gilleon.
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Heidi
Borrowed?
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Coach Dora
I borrowed it, borrowed it? Yes. Thank you. Thank you for, helping me, reminding me to use affirming language. Go ahead, Heidi, tell us about tell us about that. Entrepreneurship. It is hard, but that's why we're here. That's why I invited you to help build community and to motivate and inspire others.
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Heidi
Yeah, I so first I will say I wish I would have, I've been saying this to myself, like, like choose you. It's okay to choose you first. And I wish I would have chose me first. A long time ago. Right? So now this is the year I'm choosing me. I have these ideas, and I say, you know what?
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Heidi
I'm gonna turn these ideas into a business because that's what we see people do, right? And, it is, it is. I think what's been hard for me is just figuring it out. All the pieces, money, partnerships. Who do you trust? Being my own cheerleader. Right. On days that aren't going so well, like. No. You got this.
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Heidi
Remember why you're doing this. You know, Yeah, it's been is it's been hard. There is no playbook for us, right?
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Coach Dora
There isn't. But I. I want you to know you're not alone. Yeah, you're not alone. Especially female entrepreneurs. There are lots of us. āIt can be lonely at the topā is the tagline, right? āBut it doesn't have to beā.
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Heidi
Yeah,
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Coach Dora
and you gotta get up and do it. And just. And there will be days that are so fantastic and great that you'll just feel so happy that you did it.
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Coach Dora
And I know youāre happy now I know you're going on, like, a bit of a tour, right? Can you can you tell us a little bit more about H.O.L.A. Books and and, and your business? I love I love for folks to learn more about you.
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Heidi
Thank you so much. So the first project I'm working on that I haven't even really talked about, it's, āHeidi Monikaā. So it's me, really. Who am I really branding myself? Author. Speaker. So that's a project that's going to come out even before H.O.L.A. Books. And honestly, I'm like, I'm hoping that can help me fund H.O.L.A. Books.
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Heidi
Right. Speaking engagements, panel opportunities, collaborations. But H.O.L.A. Books really started with the books we wrote. So as you said, were Book-Sisters, right with United Latinas, Volume 4. And that's my second story. My first story was actually with, Latinas 100, which is another project. And we, you and I should talk about that because that's what another amazing publisher and, her goal is to publish a million, Latino authors by 2030.
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Heidi
But we'll just talk about that, you know? But that was my first story. Then I did the second story with United Latinas. And then I started looking, you know, just kind of a data and information. And I said, wow, out of some crazy number here. And yet it states like, I don't know, I think like 30 million, you know, Latinos.
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Heidi
I think that it might even be more I think there's only 12,000 Latino published authors, though, in the United States. And the percentage like overall is like in the single digits. So that's really what made me kind of have like a moment like, well, what am I going to do about that? You know, because we have brilliant stories.
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Heidi
We have our voices matter. We're so unique. Right. And, so fast forward, I said, I'm gonna do a book store. So I have a friend who has an online bookstore and is dedicated to to the black community, the black culture, black books. I said, I want to do that for the Latinos. So H.O.L.A. Books, it's going to be a celebration of Latino and Caribbean voices and stories and the reason I was very specific and adding the Caribbean, not only because I'm Puerto Rican, but I feel like people forget about the islands, right?
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Heidi
They they forget about Jamaica. They forget about Haiti. Right? Like, and I'm like, no, we're going to include that as well. So it's going to be an online book store. It's going to be events, it's going to be pop ups, and it really is gonna to be a hub and resource. So let's say you want to write a story.
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Heidi
We're going to have resources for you. If you, let's say you're elderly and you're like, I, I've always wanted to do this, but I can't write it. Okay, let's do it. We're we're recording your voice and make memories for you and your family, so it's. Yeah, it's authors, publishers, journalists, our stories. Us. You going to be there? Hopefully. So. Yeah, yeah.
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Coach Dora
When you have the pop up, I'll be, I'll be. I'm happy to be there. And. Yeah, get my booth ready and network and mingle. And I'm so excited when you come to New York because, well, I just, I guess I want to share with the audience that you're, you're Florida based and I'm New York based, but we still build community virtually and on the phone and all that good stuff and books are a great way.
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Coach Dora
Books are a great way to to build community. I love this idea about, not only is the speak to texts or the, now with AI technology, you can help folks do that, but that's a great accommodation, not just for, older people who can't physically write or physically type, but for everyone of all abilities.
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Heidi
Anyone. Right?
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Coach Dora
Technology is is just fantastic.
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Heidi
But but even like when I really, when I really think about that though, when I think about H.O.L.A. Books and what I hope it will be able to do for our community, right. And allies and friends. Right. But really for our community, even if like, you're like, āI don't want to be an author, that hasn't been my thing.ā,
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Heidi
I still think it is important for you to write your story down,
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Coach Dora
Storytelling.
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Heidi
for your daughter, for your grandchild, for like, let's get your history down, you know, let's get these stories down. That, storytelling is the oldest form of community for me, right? Think about it. I'm talking like way back when. Right? It was a āCome around the campfire.ā
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Heidi
āWe're going to we're going to tell a story.ā If we're in the house, come around the kitchen, we're going to have a story, right? If we're at work, ābochinchandoā, that this is all around the story. So, I'm excited. Yeah, I get all hyped up when I start talking about it.
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Coach Dora
I'm for for the transcript ābochinchandoā means gossiping. Well, you know what, you it something you put in your bio that I'd love for you just expand upon is the bicultural. Can you share with, I hope if I'm prying, you can tell me to stop. But if you can share what the two cultures are.
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Heidi
Yes, I'm Puerto Rican and German, and both my parents weren't born on the mainland. They. They were. They came here as teenagers. So I know PR is part of the US, but mainland here. So that's where Heidi Romer, a very, you know, very high.
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Coach Dora
And Heidi is very German, right?
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Heidi
Yeah. So. Hi. Yeah. Puerto Rican and German.
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Coach Dora
Which is, which is a wonderful mix. Only in America can you meet that mix. Right.
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Heidi
And in New York, right. You meet me in meeting and mingling right there in New York, right?
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Coach Dora
Yes. And I love it. You because you're New York accent is coming out. And I love it
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Heidi
Because I'm excited. Dora. If I wasn't, it would. Yeah.
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Coach Dora
This. So why don't you, share? I would love for you to share because, I mean, you kind of didn't in your in your story, you you're kind of like modeling, It seems like you've modeled leadership and you sort of navigated leadership by knowing what doesn't work for you, by learning, like, what doesn't serve you well.
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Coach Dora
So what, you know, you've been in support roles and then you realize I've got to take care of myself. It's sort of like I got to put my mask on first before I can help others. So can you. What would you. You know, tell your younger self if you would go back in time, what would you tell your younger self that would you think would be a really good piece of advice for the next generation of leaders?
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Heidi
Yeah, I, I always go back to high school because for me, high school was really challenging for me, for many reasons. And, I, I always kind of go to this. I, I would tell my younger self, well, young ladies and young men in high school, you know, when, when you graduate, it's not the end of anything.
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Heidi
It's the beginning of everything. Right? And I think that's the first thing I would say. The second thing I would say is, even if you don't have it all figured out, you still have to do something because I, I feel we don't have the luxury to be undecided. I, I feel like that we don't have the luxury.
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Heidi
And I'm talking about the Latino community. We don't have the luxury to like, oh, well, we'll just figure it out at some of you are. And, you know, I think if you are and if you in that position, it's a blessing. But even if you know, you don't have to offer, you have to figure it out. But don't stop, keep moving, keep going.
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Heidi
And I would say, you know, ask questions and no question, you know, is a stupid question. Is the wrong question.
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Coach Dora
Lead as curiosity?
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Heidi
Yes.
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Coach Dora
Really? Lead with curiosity.
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Heidi
Yes, yes. And and I would say you have to be your biggest advocate. You for yourself. You really have to, you know, Keep pushing. Don't take no for an answer. Right. Keep striving, keep learning, you know? So those are, I think, the immediate things that I would say, you know, to someone, you know, younger, much younger than me now,
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Coach Dora
Don't act like you're old. We are doing very well for ourselves. This is like a this is a new chapter for for both of us.
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Heidi
Yes.
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Coach Dora
And, let's continue this incredible community. One meaningful episode at a time. So, Heidi, I want to thank you for being here. And I really, really like what you said about, when you graduate, it's not over.
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Coach Dora
I think that's really I remember graduating and thinking, oh, my gosh, I mean, I knew I was going to college, I had gotten my acceptance, but I just, I, I had a sense of dread rather than a sense of joy. And so I think I like that whole, lens of it's not over, it's just the beginning.
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Heidi
Yeah. itās the beginning of everything.
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Coach Dora
And it's not over for us either. As entrepreneurs, we have a new new chapters, and I love the concept of H.O.L.A. Books. I can't wait to to get involved. I'm so happy that you could share, that here with our listeners and viewers.
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Heidi
Thank you.
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Coach Dora
So why don't you hold on? I'm going to, put you in the wings while we do our outro.
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Coach Dora
But I would love for you to hold on for a second, so. Oh, oh, I almost forgot. Why don't you tell everyone how we can, learn more about you? What? Your social media, handles are, etc.?
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Heidi
Yeah. Thank you so much. LinkedIn would be a great way. And it's Heidi, Monika Romer and, on Instagram, it's, it's Heidi. Monika. And for H.O.L.A. Books, it's not up yet. I'm still working on that. It's still in process. And, the Heidi, Monika.com, it'll be ready, like, in a week.
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Coach Dora
And so it's Monika with a K for our listeners. And, if you're in your car listening to us, don't pull over. We're going to put the links.
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Heidi
Donāt pull over!
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Coach Dora
We're going to put the links in the description of the episode. So when you get home or if you're listening on your phone or whatever or wherever you get your podcasts, it'll be in the description and it also be in the description on the YouTube page. So, Heidi āMonika with a Kā Romer, thank you so much for all your wisdom and all you do.
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Heidi
Thank you, Dora.
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Intro-Outro
You've been listening to Building Leadership Community. Watch on YouTube @CoachDoraM. Listen, wherever you get your podcast, follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube @CoachDoraM. Visit me on the web at CoachDoraMendez.com. Hosted by me, Dora Mendez. Produced by Dora Mendez and Dylan Rogers. Graphics, editing, and sound mixing by Dylan Rogers.
