We were lucky to catch up with Paula Quintero recently and have shared our conversation below.
Paula, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Since I was a little girl, my dream was to become a professional soccer player. I fell in love with the game. Soccer wasn’t just a sport to me—it was a way to connect with something greater than myself. I wanted to play at the highest level, not just for me, but for my family, who believed in me so deeply, and for every young girl who dared to dream the same dream.
And I achieved it! I represented my country, playing for the U20 Colombian National Team in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier. I earned an athletic scholarship to Florida International University, where I played for four years, and I lived out my father’s childhood dream by playing for Independiente Santa Fe in 2019. In 2023, I returned to the pitch to play professionally for Deportivo Cali. All in the country where I was born—Colombia.
But it was during that final season that something shifted within me. I realized my purpose went beyond just playing the game. I thought my impact was limited to inspiring kids through my career, but I discovered I could do so much more. Following my dreams and staying true to my heart helped me find my purpose: giving back to the game that gave me everything.
Now, I work in bootbags where we partnered with Football for the World, a nonprofit organization that provides soccer equipment like balls and cleats to children who don’t have the resources to play. We give, we inspire, we create access and we show them that no dream is too big.
Soccer taught me discipline, creativity, and resilience. It connected me to a global community and gave me a platform to be a role model for the next generation of girls. My purpose is to empower them—on and off the field—to believe that anything is possible when they follow their hearts.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the CEO of bootbags, a brand that combines functionality, style, and purpose to make soccer more inclusive and impactful. At bootbags, we design bags specifically for athletes and soccer lovers—durable, versatile, and perfect for carrying cleats, gear, and essentials. But what truly makes our products special is their purpose. For every bag we sell, we help deliver cleats to a child in need, bridging the gap for kids who don’t have access to proper equipment to play the game they love.
This mission is at the heart of everything we do. Through partnerships with nonprofits like Football for the World, we’ve created a donation network that collects and redistributes soccer gear to underserved communities around the world. When you purchase a bootbag, you’re not just buying a product—you’re becoming part of a movement to make soccer accessible to all.
I’m also the co-founder of ABFC Sports Inc., an agency and community that blends soccer, art, and storytelling. ABFC started as coed pickup games and has grown into a platform for tournaments, art galleries, and events that bring together players, fans, and brands. We truly believe that Art & Soccer can change the world!
This past year, bootbags and ABFC had incredible milestones that reflected our shared mission to inspire and connect through soccer. In bootbags, we expanded our product line with new collections, including Pride-themed bootbags and crossbody bags—products that celebrate individuality and inclusivity of the game. We also started the year with our annual giveback trip to Jamaica in January 2025, delivering cleats and equipment to schools across the island, hosting an all-girls clinic, and playing with kids to inspire their love for soccer and create access to the sport.
With ABFC, we collaborated with Puma over the summer to celebrate Copa América through a soccer league, Teqball games, coaching their Legacy Program, and gatherings filled with music and food. In December, we hosted our 4th annual Art Basel event in Miami, featuring a soccer tournament, freestyle competition, art gallery in partnership with The Wilson Favela Project, wellness activities, and more.
Soccer has always been more than a game to me—it’s a way to inspire and connect. bootbags allows us to support kids worldwide by removing barriers, while ABFC creates spaces for people to celebrate and grow through the sport. Together, these projects reflect my passion for using soccer as a vehicle for change and empowerment.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three key qualities have been most impactful in my journey: perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership.
Perseverance has been essential in achieving my goals, both on and off the field. From enduring the challenges of a professional soccer career to being a leader in both bootbags & ABFC, I’ve learned that success requires unwavering determination and a refusal to give up, even when things get tough. My advice is to stay committed to your vision, focus on small wins, and remember that persistence often outlasts obstacles.
Adaptability has allowed me to grow and evolve through every stage of my journey, whether transitioning from playing professionally to entrepreneurship or navigating unexpected challenges. Change is inevitable, so I encourage others to embrace it, stay open to learning, and be willing to step outside their comfort zone.
Purpose-driven leadership has been my guiding light. Everything I do—whether it’s being a leader for bootbags which provides cleats to kids in need or organizing ABFC events that unite communities—is aligned with a deeper mission. For those starting out, I recommend reflecting on what truly inspires you and using that as the foundation for your work.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The people who have been most helpful in overcoming challenges and developing the essential skills I needed to succeed are my parents and my fiancé. My parents have always fully supported my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. My mom was a true soccer mom—taking me to every practice and making sure I had the right nutrition to succeed. My dad, a former soccer player himself, taught me the fundamentals of the game, from how to properly kick a ball to training with me outside of practice. They both played a huge role in my success on the field and in navigating my transition from player to entrepreneur.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was that transition, and both my parents and my fiancé, Paco Craig—who is a professional soccer player with North Carolina FC—have been instrumental in helping me overcome it. Paco supports me in all of my current initiatives with bootbags and ABFC, offering guidance and encouragement. Their belief in me, their guidance, and their constant support have been essential in my journey, and I’m grateful to have them by my side every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: bootbags.us
- Instagram: pau.quintero4
- Facebook: Paula Quintero
- Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/pauquintero
- Other: TikTok- @queentero4
Image Credits
Shane Malcolm, Rophy Luberisse, Addy Miller
