We recently connected with Isabel Mena and have shared our conversation below.
Isabel, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I believe life prepares you to be resilient. The people around you, the situations you go through, and the moments when you have no choice but to keep going – that’s where resilience is built. It’s something that grows little by little, like a muscle. And over time, you realize you can handle more than you thought. I feel incredibly grateful because my parents led by example. They gave me the tools, the love, and the freedom to figure things out on my own—even when it was hard. That shaped me more than anything.
My first lessons came from home. My parents were entrepreneurs who built a business from scratch in Ecuador. I watched them hustle—side by side—pouring their hearts into something that didn’t exist before. They didn’t just build a business. They built a life with intention.
I saw them win new contracts and open new stores. I also saw them come home exhausted after long days—but still show up for every school event, every special moment. They never let the business take over their lives. They built their business around their values, not the other way around.
That taught me something important: Success isn’t about money in the bank or the kind of car you drive. It’s about knowing what you want, having the courage to go after it, and saying no to what doesn’t align—even when it’s hard.
My dad who I considerate my life mentor always encourages me to find my own answers, to be independent, to solve problems without waiting to be rescued. That shaped me.
So where does my resilience come from? It comes from seeing the beauty in both the struggle and the joy. It comes from choosing to act with purpose, even when the path isn’t clear. And it comes from knowing that things don’t always go as planned—but if you trust yourself and in God’s plan and keep going, it will all make sense in the end.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My story goes back to when I was a little girl. I always had a dream of building something of my own. I imagined myself speaking to big audiences and empowering other women to build their dreams. I didn’t know exactly what I was doing but it looked like so much fun!
As time went on, that dream was slowly replaced by the cultural norm: get a job, build a corporate career, work until you retire… because that’s the smart thing to do. Because that brings stability.
Well, let me tell you—these days, a 9–5 isn’t all that stable. In 2023, after 10 years working in what, on paper, looked like the dream job, my company decided to permanently close its doors in Florida. The entire marketing team was let go.
I’m not going to lie—I was disappointed and sad. But at the same time, I felt relieved and excited about the future.
For a while, I found myself daydreaming again about what my life could be like if I built something of my own. I felt a deep calling to do something more meaningful, more purposeful.
Losing my “stable” job turned out to be the sign I’d been waiting for—the moment I decided to finally do what I had always wanted to do: build my own business.
I know the journey to starting a business can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially with all the contradicting advice online. I know, because I’ve lived it. That’s why I decided to use my experience to guide women—just like me—through that same transformation.
Fast forward to now: I’m an online business coach and personal brand strategist. I don’t just help you build your brand and market your offers—I help you gain clarity, confidence, and momentum.
What makes this work so fulfilling is seeing a woman go from doubting herself to owning her story, showing up confidently online, and getting paid for her brilliance. I don’t just teach business—I help women reconnect with their purpose and become the version of themselves they’ve always dreamed of being.
My mission is to help women—especially moms and professionals—design and build purpose-driven brands and create scalable businesses rooted in their expertise. My work is part strategy, part mindset, and a whole lot of heart.
I bring over 17 years of branding and marketing experience, having led teams and worked with some of the most recognized Fortune 500 companies and household brands.
Right now, I’m focused on inviting more women into my 1:1 coaching program and building a suite of digital resources to make it easier for first-time entrepreneurs to take action. I offer 1:1 and group coaching, consulting services, and strategic online courses tailored to their needs.
My goal is to remind women that they don’t have to figure it all out alone. There is a path—and they already have what they need to begin.
If you’ve been sitting on an idea, feeling overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping—I see you.
I’ve been there. And I’m here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a business that honors your time, your values, and your brilliance.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey were:
1. Clarity comes from Action not Overthinking
I didn’t always know how exactly I was going to get where I imagine to be, but I took action. I tried a few things; I experimented with some of my ideas. I reconnected with my core values: family, time-flexibility, creativity, and purpose. The turning point for me was reconnecting with those values and realizing I could build something that honored them. That clarity became my compass.
Advice: Spend time understanding what truly matters to you—not what looks good on paper or what others expect, but what genuinely lights you up. Journaling, vision boards, and reflection exercises can help you define your own version of success. The clearer you are on your “vision and your why” the easier it becomes to filter out noise and stay aligned.
2. Personal Branding
I didn’t realize I was building a personal brand when I started—I just focused on showing up consistently, sharing value, and being myself. That built trust, opened doors, and ultimately gave me the confidence to launch my own business. Your personal brand is your reputation, and in today’s world, it’s your most powerful asset.
Advice: Document your journey. You don’t need to have it all figured out to be valuable. Focus on being helpful, honest, and human. The brand will build from there.
3. Resilience and Adaptability
My path wasn’t linear. There were layoffs, leadership changes, and unexpected shifts. But those moments taught me how to adapt and pivot with purpose. When my company closed its doors, I didn’t see it as the end—I saw it as a beginning. That mindset made all the difference.
Advice: Expect twists and turns—it’s part of the process. The sooner you learn to see challenges as opportunities, the more empowered you’ll feel. Build a strong support system, invest in your mindset, and give yourself permission to evolve. You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to keep moving.
To anyone early in the journey: You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect to begin. Start where you are, use what you have, and trust that clarity and confidence will come from taking action. You already have more than enough to begin building something beautiful.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Honestly, I’ve read so many books that have shaped me, but there are a few that stand out and have truly transformed how I see myself, my journey, and my purpose.
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
This book completely changed the way I understand fear and success. It taught me that fear isn’t a sign that something’s wrong—it’s actually a sign that you’re growing. When we step outside our comfort zone, it’s natural to feel scared. But recognizing how fear shows up—like overthinking, procrastination, perfectionism, or self-sabotage—is powerful.
What stuck with me the most was the concept of the “Upper Limit Problem”—how we unconsciously hold ourselves back when things start going well. Reframing fear and building self-awareness was a game-changer for me. And the idea of finding alignment with your Zone of Genius—that sweet spot where what you love, what you’re great at, and what the world needs intersect—that’s what we should all be striving for. It’s the dream.
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
This book gave me permission to trust myself deeply—even when the path isn’t clear. Life and business are full of curveballs, and things rarely go exactly according to plan. But having the mindset that you can figure things out no matter what? That’s empowering.
Marie reminded me that confidence isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about believing in your ability to find the answers. That perspective alone has helped me push through uncertainty and keep going.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
I read this one early in my career, and it left a lasting impact. At the time, I was caught up in society’s definition of success—chasing titles, money, and external validation. This book helped me pause and reflect on what really matters.
It reminded me that success is not about how much you earn or the clothes you wear—it’s about who you become in the process. It’s about living with intention, creating meaning beyond money, and staying connected to your purpose. This book shifted my mindset from hustle to harmony—and that perspective still grounds me today.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
This book felt like a wake-up call. Glennon’s writing is raw, honest, and deeply inspiring. This book reinforced the importance of living truthfully and unapologetically, inspiring me to lead with authenticity in both my personal and professional life. You don’t have to follow the rules the world gave you. You have the freedom to choose what’s best for you.
She gave the readers permission to unlearn, to trust your intuition, and to stop shrinking yourself to fit into someone else’s version of success.
Each of these books helped me unlock something within myself—my courage, my clarity, my confidence. And if you’re on a journey of growth or building something meaningful, I highly recommend adding them to your list.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stan.store/unlockingdigitalmarketing
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelmena_official/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelmena/
Image Credits
M Suarez Photography
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