In The Community
Nopalera
Photo by Peter Kalonji on UnsplashSandra Velasquez launched Nopalera to celebrate her Mexican roots and redefine what luxury beauty looks like. Inspired by the nopal cactus—a symbol of resilience in Mexican culture—her line of bath and body products is both sustainable and culturally significant. After appearing on Shark Tank in early 2023, Sandra made headlines for turning down an investment offer that undervalued her business. This bold move resonated with fans and further highlighted her mission to empower women and elevate heritage-inspired skincare. From soaps to exfoliants, every Nopalera product feels like a love letter to Mexican culture.
Hija de tu Madre
Patty Delgado founded Hija de tu Madre to fill a glaring gap in the fashion world—clothes that unapologetically celebrate Latina identity. What started with just $500 has grown into a global brand that empowers Latinas through vibrant designs, witty slogans, and cultural pride. Patty didn’t stop there. She also created National Jefa Day to celebrate Latina hustlers, showing the world what resilience and ambition look like. Whether it’s a statement tee or colorful accessories, Hija de tu Madre is a must for anyone who loves bold fashion with deeper meaning.
Kitsch
Photo by Photoholgic on UnsplashWhat started as handmade elastic hair ties has evolved into a beauty empire. Colombian-American entrepreneur Cassandra Morales Thurswell’s Kitsch offers cruelty-free, eco-friendly products that transform everyday haircare. From silk pillowcases to styling tools, every product is made with sustainability in mind. With its clean, recyclable packaging and products that actually work, Kitsch proves that beauty doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.
Blank Tag Co.
Photo by Jose Hernandez-Uribe on UnsplashWhen Remi Silva and Alondra Carbajal traveled to Tokyo, they fell in love with the vibrant sticker culture. That inspiration led to Blank Tag Co., a business that celebrates diversity and creativity through its unique designs. Their stickers range from cultural icons to nature themes, making them perfect for personalizing everything from laptops to water bottles. Plus, their rewards program keeps customers coming back for more. Blank Tag Co. isn’t just selling stickers—it’s building a community of self-expression.
Ocoa Beauty
Photo by zana pq on UnsplashTired of products that didn’t work for their curls, Dominican sisters Cory and Nicol Varona took matters into their own hands. Enter Ocoa Beauty, a line of clean haircare products designed specifically for curly hair. Their four-step system includes shampoo, conditioner, curl cream, and a defining gel, all formulated to embrace natural beauty. Ocoa is more than just haircare—it’s a movement that reclaims the beauty of textured hair and celebrates cultural identity.
Reina Rebelde
Photo by Chalo Garcia on UnsplashRegina Merson’s Reina Rebelde isn’t just a makeup line; it’s a celebration of fierceness and individuality. Growing up in Mexico, Regina fell in love with makeup while watching her mom and telenovelas like Rosa Salvaje. Today, her brand offers bold lipsticks, smoky eyeshadow palettes, and more, all inspired by Latina culture. Every shade tells a story, and every product is designed to make you feel like the most confident version of yourself.
Martha of Miami
Photo by Jonny Wardle on UnsplashMiami wouldn’t be Miami without its vibrant Cuban influence, and Martha of Miami captures that spirit in every product. Founded by Martha Valdes, this shop is famous for its “Cuban Bred” t-shirts, witty mugs, and culturally inspired pins. Whether it’s a cafecito-themed accessory or a playful reminder to "ponte las pilas," Martha of Miami keeps the Cuban-American experience alive and thriving.
Oh Comadre Candles
Photo by a l on UnsplashFor Marcella Gomez, candle-making started as therapy after long shifts as a nurse. Now, her brand Oh Comadre Candles brings warmth and comfort to homes everywhere.
Each soy-based, hand-poured candle is infused with scents that evoke cherished memories—think fresh guava, cinnamon, or warm café con leche. Oh Comadre isn’t just about candles; it’s about celebrating the heart and soul of Latino households.
When you shop from Latino-owned businesses, you’re doing more than just buying a product—you’re supporting cultural pride, sustainable practices, and the dreams of entrepreneurs who are changing the game. So, this Small Business Saturday (or anytime, really), consider skipping Amazon and shopping small.
Beatriz Acevedo – Suma Wealth
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashBeatriz Acevedo is a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Suma Wealth, a financial technology platform designed to help Latine communities build wealth. Her goal is to make financial education accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant for young Latinos in the U.S. By offering personalized financial tools, Suma Wealth empowers users to take control of their finances through culturally resonant content.
Beatriz’s career spans media and tech, and she’s a fierce advocate for Latino representation in both industries. She’s been named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Latinas, and her work is changing the way Latino communities approach financial literacy.
Carolina Contreras – Miss Rizos
Photo by Jennifer Marquez on UnsplashCarolina Contreras, also known as Miss Rizos, is a Dominican entrepreneur who founded a natural hair salon and brand that celebrates Afro-Latina beauty. Her salon, Miss Rizos Salon, started in Santo Domingo and has expanded to the U.S. with a location in New York City. The Miss Rizos Salon is a space where Afro-Latinas can embrace their natural hair and challenge beauty standards rooted in Eurocentrism.
The Miss Rizos hair care line, which offers curly-hair essentials line leave-in conditioner, sulfate-free shampoo, defining mouse styler, and more, is available with shipping worldwide. Carolina’s work goes beyond hair care—she’s also an activist for racial and gender equality, using her platform to address systemic discrimination in beauty and beyond.
Ana Flores – We All Grow Latina
Photo by Joel Muniz on UnsplashAna Flores is the founder and CEO of We All Grow Latina, a network and community of Latina creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs. Ana launched the platform to connect and support Latinas who are building their own brands, offering everything from networking opportunities to mentorship programs.
We All Grow Latina has become the go-to platform for Latina empowerment, amplifying voices and providing resources to help women succeed in business and beyond. Ana’s work is all about building community and making sure Latinas have the tools they need to thrive.
Silvia Martinez – Mama Latina Tips
Photo by Kelsey Todd on UnsplashIf you have a passion for food and uplifting your cultural roots through recipes, Silvia Martinez will be a great inspiration. She started Mama Latina Tips in 2009, a cooking blog where she shares her culture through food with over 300,000 followers online. Her passion for sharing authentic Mexican cuisine and traditions made her very popular in the space, and she even won 'The Great American Recipe' on PBS, which further established her success as a culinary entrepreneur.
Born and raised in Mexico, Silvia moved to California 21 years ago, where she now lives with her husband and two sons. As one of the first bilingual mom bloggers in the United States, Silvia has collaborated with major brands and spoken at leading blogger conferences like Blogher, We All Grow Summit, and Hispanicize. So she’s definitely one to follow if you want to build a brand around what you’re passionate about.
Cristina Villanueva – Negozee & Ambas Financial Services LLC
Photo by Amy Hirschi on UnsplashCristina Villanueva is the co-founder of Negozee, a platform created to empower Latino entrepreneurs, and the owner of Ambas Financial Services LLC, a bilingual tax preparation and accounting business. Named one of Wisconsin's 46 most influential Latino leaders in 2022, Cristina actively uplifts Latino business owners in Milwaukee by offering training and resources through Negozee.
She has also established initiatives aimed at educating and supporting Latino communities, so she’s not just a successful entrepreneur, she’s also an advocate for Latino empowerment. Cristina’s dedication to uplifting others has made her a leader in the Latino business community, and her influence continues to grow.
These incredible Latina entrepreneurs are leading the charge in tech, finance, beauty, fashion, and beyond. So, next time you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than these powerful women.
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Sylvia Rivera: The Revolutionary
Sylvia Rivera at ACT-UP March, 1994. Photograph. 1994. Digital Transgender Archive.
We can’t talk about the fight for LGBTQ+ rights without mentioning the legendary Sylvia Rivera. Born in 1951 in New York City, Rivera was a transgender activist of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent who played a pivotal role in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, which sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Alongside Marsha P. Johnson, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organization dedicated to helping homeless LGBTQ+ youth, especially trans and gender-nonconforming individuals.
Rivera fought tirelessly against racism, classism, and transphobia within the gay rights movement, often reminding others that trans women of color were at the forefront of the struggle for equality. She advocated for housing, healthcare, and legal protections for trans people, making her one of the most influential figures in LGBTQ+ history.
Bamby Salcedo: A Voice for Trans Rights
Bamby Salcedo is a powerhouse in the trans rights movement. A Mexican-American transgender activist, she’s the founder and president of The TransLatin@ Coalition, an organization that advocates for the rights of transgender Latinx people in the U.S. Salcedo’s advocacy is deeply personal—having faced poverty, incarceration, addiction, and violence, she transformed her life and now dedicates her work to uplifting trans people, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Bamby is known for her work in addressing issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, immigration reform, and transgender healthcare. She has testified in front of Congress, worked with policymakers, and continues to fight for the legal protections and safety of trans-Latine individuals across the country.
Jennicet Gutiérrez: Advocating for Undocumented Trans People
Jennicet Gutiérrez on Instagram
When it comes to activism, Jennicet Gutiérrez is a force to be reckoned with. She’s an undocumented transgender woman from Mexico who rose to prominence in 2015 when she interrupted a speech by President Obama to bring attention to the plight of undocumented LGBTQ+ immigrants held in detention centers. Gutiérrez is a founding member of Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (TQLM), an organization dedicated to advancing the rights of trans and queer immigrants in the U.S.
Her activism focuses on ending the detention and deportation of LGBTQ+ immigrants, many of whom face severe abuse, harassment, and neglect in immigration detention centers. Gutiérrez’s bold actions have helped shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked issues faced by trans immigrants, particularly in the Latinx community.
Ivana Fred: A Trans Trailblazer in Puerto Rico
Ivana Fred is a Puerto Rican trans activist who has dedicated her life to advocating for the trans community on the island. She’s a spokesperson for the organization Coalición Trans de Puerto Rico, which works to promote the human rights of transgender individuals through education, advocacy, and legal protections.
Fred’s work has been instrumental in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Puerto Rico, including fighting for better healthcare, legal gender recognition, and safety for trans individuals. Her activism has helped ensure that the voices of Puerto Rico’s trans community are heard and that policies reflect their needs and concerns.
Victoria Cruz: A Fighter for Justice
Victoria Cruz is another Puerto Rican trans woman and a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in New York City. Cruz worked at the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) for decades, helping LGBTQ+ people who have experienced violence, harassment, and discrimination. She’s also known for her work as an activist and a survivor of violence herself, channeling her experiences into advocacy to help others.
Cruz was a close friend of Marsha P. Johnson, and she continues to fight for justice in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for trans women of color. Her work has been featured in the documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, where she investigates the circumstances surrounding her friend’s death. Victoria Cruz was also one of the first trans women of color to work in victim advocacy at AVP, providing vital support to survivors of hate crimes and other forms of violence.
Isa Noyola – Transgender Rights Activist
@muxerisa on X
Isa Noyola is a transgender Latina activist who works on the front lines of the fight for transgender rights and immigrant justice. She’s a deputy director at Mijente, a political home for Latinx and Chicanx organizing, and she’s also involved in the Transgender Law Center, advocating for gender liberation and the decriminalization of immigration. Isa has been especially active in abolishing detention centers and pushing for the fair treatment of trans women in immigration detention.
Her activism goes beyond fighting for the immediate rights of the LGBTQ community—she's dedicated to creating long-term, empowered communities that uplift all women. As a former board member of the Women's March, she worked to expand the organization's reach beyond the annual event, advocating for deeper engagement in critical areas such as immigration, climate change, and reproductive justice. Through her wide-ranging efforts, Noyola confronts systems that seek to limit the progress of intersectional feminism, ensuring it embraces all individuals who identify as women.
These trailblazing trans Latines have made their mark, fighting for their community and inspiring others to keep pushing for justice and equality. As we celebrate their contributions, let’s also commit to supporting and uplifting the trans community in any way we can.
