Sisterhood & Self-Investment: The Rosa Benavides Story

The Spark Behind Mujeres Growing Together with Rosa Benavides

In this special episode of Vida, I Wish I Knew Then, Jess invites her dear friend and partner, Rosa Benavides from Speak Up Mujer, to recap the magical Mujeres Growing Together event held in May 2025. This episode is all about the journey, how the event was born, how it was developed, and the incredible impact it had on the women who attended. Rosa, who started as a client of Jess’s, now stands as a powerful collaborator in this beautiful movement that began in the heart of the Inland Empire, Southern California. Together, they reflect on the event’s energy, the behind-the-scenes work, and the powerful connections that were created. They discuss the true essence of the Mujeres Growing Together community, where magic happens when women uplift one another. Tune in to hear how a vision turned into reality, the challenges they overcame, and the inspiration that continues to fuel this incredible movement. This conversation is a celebration of community, empowerment, and the magic that happens when women come together to grow. ✨ Thank you for listening to this episode and following my journey. Follow me on my social media platforms to stay updated on the latest content and behind-the-scenes moments. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and will help this podcast reach more modern Latinas like yourself who are determined to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Las quiero mucho! Instagram and TikTok Handles @vida_with_jess @MaravillosaMovement Learn More about Rosa Rosa E. Benavides is the founder of Speak Up Mujer, a professional-development company that empowers Latinas and first-generation professionals to own their voice, communicate with influence, and lead with confidence. A proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a UCLA alumna (B.A. World English Literature & Spanish Literature), Rosa brings 15 years in management—including a decade in executive leadership for the City of Los Angeles—to every coaching session and stage. For more than 20 years she has immersed herself in personal-growth work, blending time-tested leadership principles with culturally attuned strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Her signature offerings—D.A.R.E. T.O. Program one-on-one coaching, the Amplify Your Voice public-speaking cohort, and the women-in-business series From Speaking Up to Leveling Up—have helped hundreds of women secure promotions, negotiate salaries, and speak boldly in rooms where decisions are made. A 2025 NLBWA-LA Women of Excellence Entrepreneur-of-the-Year nominee, Rosa’s mission is simple: equip mujeres to speak up, show up, and level up—on their own terms.

Numbers Don't Lie with Diana Serrano

In this episode of Vida, I Wish I Knew Then, we’re joined by the amazing Diana Serrano, an accountant who’s passionate about helping first-gen entrepreneurs take control of their numbers and thrive. But this convo isn’t just about spreadsheets and tax forms. We talk real talk, how neglecting your numbers can be costly not just financially, but emotionally. Diana shares how bookkeeping and understanding your money can actually support your mental health, help you grow in life and business, and start to break through money stigmas we’ve carried for too long. Whether you’re running a business, side hustling, or just trying to get it together financially, this episode will shift your mindset around money and help you feel more powerful in your journey. Thank you for listening to this episode and following my journey. Follow me on my social media platforms to stay updated on the latest content and behind-the-scenes moments. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and will help this podcast reach more modern Latinas like yourself who are determined to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Las quiero mucho! Instagram and TikTok Handles @vida_with_jess @MaravillosaMovement Learn more about Diana Diana is an accountant based in Los Angeles who is dedicated to helping first-generation service entrepreneurs manage their bookkeeping and taxes. She’s passionate about empowering the Latine community through tax education and financial literacy. As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, Diana takes pride in her roots and loves being able to use her knowledge and experience to serve her community. Links:IG: @taxeswithdiana

Sisterhood & Self-Investment: The Rosa Benavides Story

This week on Vida, I Wish I Knew Then, Rosa joins Jess for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about what happens when you truly invest in yourself. 💫 From discovering the beauty of sisterhood to breaking through barriers in public speaking and personal growth, this episode is all about rising together. Tune in to hear how Jess and Rosa found each other, and how Rosa is now helping other women find their voices, too. Thank you for listening to this episode and following my journey. Follow me on my social media platforms to stay updated on the latest content and behind-the-scenes moments. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and will help this podcast reach more modern Latinas like yourself who are determined to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Las quiero mucho! Instagram and TikTok Handles@vida_with_jess @MaravillosaMovement Learn more about Rosa Rosa E. Benavides is the founder of Speak Up Mujer, a professional-development company that empowers Latinas and first-generation professionals to own their voice, communicate with influence, and lead with confidence. A proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a UCLA alumna (B.A. World English Literature & Spanish Literature), Rosa brings 15 years in management, including a decade in executive leadership for the City of Los Angeles—to every coaching session and stage. For more than 20 years she has immersed herself in personal-growth work, blending time-tested leadership principles with culturally attuned strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Her signature offerings—D.A.R.E. T.O. Program one-on-one coaching, the Amplify Your Voice public-speaking cohort, and the women-in-business series From Speaking Up to Leveling Up—have helped hundreds of women secure promotions, negotiate salaries, and speak boldly in rooms where decisions are made. A 2025 NLBWA-LA Women of Excellence Entrepreneur-of-the-Year nominee, Rosa’s mission is simple: equip mujeres to speak up, show up, and level up—on their own terms.

A Deeper Passion for Advocacy

In this week’s episode of Vida, I Wish I Knew Then, Jess shares her journey of self-love, personal growth, and the power of embracing her voice. She discusses the books that have recently shaped her mindset, the importance of stepping into advocacy, and the challenges of navigating outside opinions. Jess also opens up about how practicing self-development as an entrepreneur has shaped her journey now that she’s working on her own. Her business has been pushing her to step further into advocacy, l something she’s always done but is now evolving into more intentionally. She emphasizes the value of education, trusting your instincts, and unapologetically owning your unique journey. Previous episode referenced: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5x58E3EnbZbUmQ9pbls4oi?si=aa4784f852ee42d0 Thank you for listening to this episode and following my journey. Follow me on my social media platforms to stay updated on the latest content and behind-the-scenes moments. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and will help this podcast reach more modern Latinas like yourself who are determined to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Las quiero mucho! Instagram and TikTok Handles@vida_with_jess @Maravillosa_Movement

Embracing the Struggles, Finding Purpose with Wendy Acosta

In this week’s episode of Vida, I Wish I Knew Then, Jess is back from a break after launching her business, Maravillosa Movement. But this time, there’s a twist! Jess’s friend, Wendy Acosta, host of The Real Deal Podcast, takes the mic and interviews Jessica about her personal journey. They dive deep into Jess’s experiences with mental health, life struggles, and how those challenges shaped the person she is today. The conversation also takes a heartfelt turn as they discuss the creation of Maravillosa Movement, its powerful mission, and what inspired Jess to build a community focused on empowering others. Tune in for an inspiring episode full of raw honesty, growth, and the story behind Jess’s new venture. Mental Health Resources: Resources and Group Support: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, offers various support groups for families and individuals.  Support groups are provided virtually and in person and are accessible in Spanish as well.  Follow this link to find your local NAMI chapter: ⁠⁠https://www.nami.org/affiliate/california/⁠⁠ [https://www.nami.org/affiliate/california/]   Thank you for listening to this episode and following my journey. Follow me on my social media platforms to stay updated on the latest content and behind-the-scenes moments. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it. Your reviews are greatly appreciated and will help this podcast reach more modern Latinas like yourself who are determined to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Las quiero mucho!    Instagram and TikTok Handles@vida_with_jess @maravillosa_movement More information about Wendy Acosta Instagram: thewendyacosta_ [https://www.instagram.com/thewendyacosta_#] Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42Dc3oXhrvSLr50FER0mhs?si=afe2c145b7344b32