Meet Marisol Tafolla

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marisol Tafolla a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marisol , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

A key point in my story is that I come from a limited educational background. Before immigrating to the United States, I read at an elementary level and did not have the privilege of access to education in my home country. The question, “Where do you get your resilience?” is bittersweet, especially for immigrants or survivors of abuse. During the most challenging periods of my life, I didn’t have the time to stop and reflect—I lived on autopilot, shaped by my circumstances. Resilience wasn’t something I chose; it was my only option.
At that time, I didn’t even know the word resilience. I wasn’t aware there was a term to describe the strength needed to overcome trauma. It wasn’t until my mid-forties that I realized what that inner force was called—the one that motivated me day after day to keep going.For me, the indescribable love I felt for my children was like an invisible hand that lifted me every time I felt broken. Spirituality also played an important role: the sense of being connected to something greater, a purpose beyond what I could see or understand at the time.
Ultimately, I believe my resilience comes from creating a life beyond anything I had known or imagined. It is the culmination of love, faith, and an unwavering belief that I was meant for something more—that a higher power was holding me up.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a business owner, mentor, certified Reiki practitioner, and published author. As a survivor of domestic abuse I am an advocate to bring awareness on domestic violence as a public health issue. With my work as a mentor I provide one on one individualized sessions where we dive deep into specific areas and learn how to overcome stagnant belief systems.

The most gratifying part of this journey of being a mentor has been witnessing the growth and transformation of the people I work with. The majority of whom are survivors of abuse and are looking to own their story and their life. Over the years, I wanted to have a bigger reach where I could share and connect with others. I noticed there was a gap for educational and motivational content online for survivors and immigrants who were seeking support. I began to grow my social media accounts by retelling my story and the lessons I learned along the way. Many immigrant people facing difficult times encounter numerous barriers to seeking help, such as cultural taboos, financial constraints, lack of insurance, limited time, or language challenges. Recognizing this gap, I decided to create educational content in Spanish to ensure these people feel seen and empowered to improve their lives.

As a Latina immigrant, I understand that seeking help is often stigmatized, and many women aren’t ready or able to access traditional support systems. That’s why I chose to become a virtual friend, supporter, and mentor—offering encouragement and guidance through digital platforms. From the accessibility of their screens, I aim to inspire women to find the strength to take their first steps toward reclaiming their lives.
I host a weekly YouTube series where women share their transformative stories, send out a weekly newsletter, and will soon launch a podcast called Sobre Mujeres.

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?

I’d say the most important skill that helped me was developing a growth mindset.At first, this might sound superficial or impractical, especially depending on your current situation or occupation. But let me share a bit of my story, when I arrived to this country, I started as a waitress. I didn’t speak English and was raising two young children with many basic needs I couldn’t meet at the time. One day, I looked around and realized that my current circumstances didn’t have to define my future. Determined to create a better life, I started attending night school to learn English. My drive to move forward and provide a better quality of life for my children kept me from giving up.

Over time, I got a job as a receptionist at an insurance agency, worked my way up to becoming a sales associate, and eventually earned my agent certification. But when being an employee no longer felt fulfilling, I knew I was capable of achieving more. So, I took a leap of faith and started my own insurance agency.

Every small window of opportunity that came my way, I seized and made the most of. Step by step, I built a foundation for a new life—the life I had always dreamed of for myself and my children. This journey wasn’t without its challenges, but it taught me the power of perseverance, faith, and self-belief.
As a Latina immigrant and survivor of domestic abuse, I’ve come to see that my growth mindset was more than a skill—it was a lifeline. It allowed me to reimagine what was possible, even in moments when I doubted myself or faced cultural and financial barriers.

Now, I share my story to inspire others, especially women, to take small but meaningful steps toward their own transformation. With a growth mindset, even the smallest actions can lead to significant and lasting changes. I believe we all have the power to rewrite our stories, no matter where we start.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, absolutely—collaboration is at the center of my work! I am always looking for people who are willing to share their stories of success and transformation, particularly women who have overcome intimate partner violence. These stories inspire and empower others to take steps toward their own healing and growth.
In addition, I’m expanding my work with nonprofits, organizations, and community groups that are interested in hosting workshops or webinars. I specialize in delivering engaging public speaking engagements, workshops, and webinars on topics such as relationships, confidence, self-esteem, and personal growth.
If you are interested in collaborating, partnering, or sharing your story, I would love to connect. You can reach me through my website at marisoltafolla.com or email me directly at [email protected]. As I like to say, we all deserve a second chance-let today be the first day!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marisoltafolla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tafolla_marysol/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarisolTafollaMentora
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Marysoltafolla