Meet Yovana Rosales

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yovana Rosales. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yovana, 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?

Life has a funny way of revealing your purpose when you least expect it. I thought I had it all figured out – a successful 10+ year career in experiential marketing, a comfortable salary, and a clear identity tied to my professional achievements. Then life decided to realign everything, pushing me toward my highest self through what felt like my lowest moments.

In a devastating turn of events (covid), I lost my position and financial security with no backup plan. Like many of us, I had intertwined my identity with my job title and compensation. When both vanished, I plunged into darkness. The universe wasn’t done with me yet – within a year, I lost five beloved people, two of them just sixteen days apart. The final blow came when two decade-long friendships crumbled. I had never faced such concentrated grief and loss before, and I was drowning in it.

Salvation came through an unexpected source – a casual scroll through social media led me to a ‘Latina Entrepreneur Networking’ event. Though I wasn’t an entrepreneur at the time, my Latina identity drew me in. At this virtual meeting, I met an extraordinary Latina who would become a dear friend. She introduced me to another Latina community that would change my life forever. These women – professionals, entrepreneurs, and career-pivoters – showed me what it meant to be truly multifaceted. They weren’t just career-focused, but whole human beings with rich lives filled with hobbies, interests, and dreams.

Through their example, I rediscovered myself beyond my professional identity. I found joy in simple pleasures: coloring, admiring plants (despite my less-than-green thumb), sipping tea from my favorite mug, dancing to inspiring music, and exploring the world through both travel and books. This community of Latinas created a safe haven where I could heal and grow. They held space for me when I couldn’t hold it for myself, encouraging me to embrace challenges and take bold leaps.

I discovered that community was the accelerant I needed in every aspect of my life – professional, financial, spiritual, emotional, and mental. The impact was so profound that it became clear: my purpose was to create similar spaces for others. This realization led me to found AI.Latina and Latina Brilliance, two companies dedicated to empowering our community through technology, finance, and connection.

Today, I witness Latinas coming together, craving what I once desperately needed – authentic connection, growth opportunities, laughter, deep conversations, and true sisterhood. Being able to facilitate these connections through my companies isn’t just a career; it’s a humbling blessing that gives meaning to all the darkness I had to walk through to find my light.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As an entrepreneur leading two dynamic businesses, my journey into AI began unexpectedly. In summer 2023, headlines warning “AI will take over your jobs” triggered memories of my 2020 career loss. Concerned, I started asking fellow Latina entrepreneurs about AI’s impact on our businesses. Their consistent response – “I don’t think so, but I don’t know” – revealed a deeper issue: Latinas represent less than 1% in the AI field. We weren’t being invited as engineers, designers, or beta testers. This realization transformed my fear into curiosity, then into a mission to educate. After immersing myself in AI courses, I now dedicate myself to teaching my community how to harness the same technology that tech leaders use.

Through AI.Latina, I’ve developed the “AI for Beginners” workshop, helping Latina business owners leverage artificial intelligence to scale their ventures. My clients span diverse industries – from financial advisors, hair salon business owevers, and real estate agents to wellness instructors and leadership coaches – each demonstrating how our community continues to innovate and thrive. The workshop’s success has inspired me to develop a virtual course, expanding our reach and enabling more Latinas to accelerate their professional growth, whether in corporate roles or entrepreneurial ventures.

Working closely with these multifaceted women – who balance being business owners, leaders, mothers, friends, and caregivers – revealed a critical need. While AI tools help reclaim time, many struggle with burnout. This insight led to creating AI-powered meditation courses specifically designed for Latina experiences. These meditations address unique themes like “Embracing our Belleza Natural,” “Latina Leadership,” “Familia and Cultural Connection,” and “Latina Empowerment.”

Coming up, we’re launching the virtual “AI for Beginners” course and introducing our culturally-tailored meditation series. These initiatives reflect our commitment to supporting Latinas’ professional success while honoring their whole selves.

With Latina Brilliance, we’re building a vibrant community through carefully curated events that blend professional development with cultural connection. Our 2024 calendar features leadership summits, wellness walks, vision scrapbooking sessions, Galentine’s Day celebrations, movie nights, and cooking courses – all designed to foster learning, growth, and authentic sisterhood.

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?

Here are 3 qualites and pieces of advice I can share with folks who are early in their journey:

1. Resilience Through Community
Quality: The ability to bounce back from adversity by leaning on and building community
Advice: Join professional groups aligned with your identity and interests. Don’t isolate during difficult times. Seek mentors and peers who understand your cultural background and challenges.

2. Adaptability & Continuous Learning
Quality: Transforming fear into curiosity, especially with technology and AI
Advice: Stay curious about emerging technologies. Take courses outside your comfort zone (plugging myself in here with my course). View industry changes as opportunities rather than threats. Start with basics and build gradually. We all start from the beginning and weren’t born knowing.

3. Cultural Leadership
Quality: Recognizing gaps in representation and turning them into opportunities to serve your community
Advice: Notice where your community is underrepresented. Use your unique perspective to create solutions. Don’t wait for permission to lead – create spaces where none exist. Share knowledge generously while honoring your cultural values.

These qualities helped me transform personal struggles into two successful businesses that serve Latina professionals and entrepreneurs. My journey shows how combining professional skills with cultural understanding creates powerful impact.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m seeking collaborations!

For AI.Latina:
– Business owners interested in AI training for their teams, including, but not limited to:
– Salon owners
– Wellness instructors
– Financial instructors
– Real estate agents
– Small business teams
– Feel free to reach out if you are a small business and want to know how to use AI for their business
– Speaking and teaching opportunities at colleges and universities
– Speaking and teaching opportunities at Latine, wellness, tech and leadership conferences/summits
– Virtual course creators for joint content development and community cross-pollination
– Other AI educators interested in co-creating resources

For Latina Brilliance:
– Tech professionals eager to share industry insights
– Financial experts for workshops and educational content
– Community builders specializing in:
– Professional development
– Leadership training
– Cultural connection
– Tech education
– Financial literacy

All collaborators should share the mission of empowering Latinas in technology, finance, and community building.

Feel free to connect with me at:
Email: ai.latina.enthusiast@gmail.com
DM on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yovanarosales/
DM me on IG @ai.latina
If you want to come on a journey with me as we discover our natural beauty, click on the following link: https://yovana-rosales.mykajabi.com/offers/jxgxzZPN/checkout
Or if you just want to check out what other cook things I’m working on visit my website: https://www.yovanarosales.com/

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Vanessa De Los Santos (photos with blue hair)

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