THE LOPEZ LENS Entrepreneurial Women: Raising Strong Girls
University of Miami's Professor Susan Amat hosted a panel of successful women offering advice and inspiration.
What does a group of women innovators and disruptive entrepreneurs in their industries have in common? Professor Susan Amat, co-founder of The Launch Pad entrepreneur and innovator resource center at the University of Miami. The center is committed to the school’s start-up community by providing access to resources and applied educational opportunities. It also matches students with experienced mentors offering vast networks, support and guidance.
Dr. Amat herself is a serial entrepreneur since her teenage years; from music, high-tech, retail, healthcare and non-profits, she has been a consultant in the areas of marketing, strategic planning, management and brand development. Dr. Amat currently serves as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Marketing at the Herbert Business School. She is an author, board member at various community organizations and was selected as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Business Women in South Florida” by the Commonwealth Institute.
Therefore when Dr. Amat calls, you answer – and I did. I was honored to be a guest speaker at this year’s Entrepreneurial Women: Raising Strong Girls event. This panel event featured five women from different cultures, different communities, and different industries all sharing one similar life changing event: The willingness to succeed-no matter what the odds where.
The distinguished panel featured Nely Galan, Media Entrepreneur & NYT Best Selling Author; Alina Villansante, Founder & CEO of PeaceLoveWorld; Dani Spikes, Founder & CEO of BeLoved Box and me with my mom, Maria Elena Fuentes Founder and Designer of Maria Elena Headpieces.
While we each shared our life stories-each with a journey from daughter to mother and later to business leader, Dr. Amat brought me to tears. She opened the panel by welcoming women, future leaders and young girls from across our community to this intimate setting and gave us all a glimpse into the reason this year’s Entrepreneurial Women Series was titled “Raising Strong Girls.” It turns out, it was inspired by my own strong girl who happens to be my daughter, Annia Elena Lopez. Annia is an incoming senior at UM, Dr. Amat’s student and definitely a Strong, Independent Young Woman. She’s a full time- Deans List UM student, Vice-President of UMiami Luxury Club, board member of AMA (American Marketing Association) and CMO at Maria Elena Headpieces. Dr. Amat asked Annia how she does it all…she said, “wait until you meet my mom and grandmother…” To say I was proud would be an understatement.
The panel proceeded to share personal stories of strength, challenge and finding inspiration.
Alina Villasante: Her inspiration for her clothing brand PeaceLoveWorld — with inspirational messages and luxurious, feel good material — came 12 years ago from a hobby that turned into a lifetime dream. PeaceLoveWorld is an internationally well known and Villasante believes that you have to “sell an emotion”. That will connect with people’s feelings. “Believe in yourself,” Villasante told us, “and do not let anyone take you for granted. Surround yourself with people who know, who believe in you.”
Nely Galan: She’s empowered by seeing more Latinas and African American women in the Entrepreneurial world, she said. A woman who broke all the glass ceilings, Galan was the First Latina President of a TV Network, Telemundo, which later under her tenure was sold to NBC. Galan has produced over 750 TV shows, was the youngest editor at Seventeen Magazine and is a mother with a PhD in Psychology. She definitely is a power house! “Believe in yourself,” says Galan. “Make yourself over and over, be abundant in every way but mainly to yourself.”
Dani Spikes: Spikes is a professional relationship coach for wellness and fragrance who promotes intentional living. Mrs. Spikes is the founder and CEO at Beloved Box, a company co-founded with her husband. She believes you should partner with someone who believes in you. Take a chance and just do it, she says. Connect with people. Do not be afraid to talk to people and really SEE them. Be kind to others and it will reciprocate.
Maria Elena Fuentes: Fuentes — founder and designer at Maria Elena Headpieces, a global, multimillion dollar bridal accessory company feels — blessed, she says. When starting MEH thirty years ago in a small room in her then Miami home, she says, she had no idea how big the company would grow. But she took a chance and I took it with her. “At the beginning,” she says, “it’s always hard, but work with lots of love. Never say ‘I can’t do it’, always say to yourself ‘yes I can do it all.’ Believe in yourself, because everything comes from a place of love. Love what you do. Being an entrepreneur is hard and humbling. You have to do it all-be the janitor, be the secretary, be the buyer, be the face of, be the accountant, be the visionary, but always do it with love.”
Marile Lopez is the Chief Financial Officer at Jorge Luis Lopez Law Firm, a governmental affairs firm representing Municipal Governments, Florida 100 and Fortune 500 companies at the federal, state and local levels. As CFO, she manages the financial reporting, income taxes, account receivable, drafting of contracts, and investments for the firm. Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Mrs. Lopez founded and was creative director for Maria Elena Headpieces, a successful million dollar bridal accessory company which designs, manufactures, and sells products to high-end international wedding boutiques.
Mrs. Lopez also dedicates time to serve the community through leadership roles in a number of organizations. She is Chair of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s South Florida Executive Committee, whose initial focus is to host the 2020 Legends for Charity Dinner (NFL Super Bowl LIV). She is also Chair of FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs Dean’s Advisory Council, where she is leading her 2nd — multi-million dollar capital campaign as part of “Next Horizon: The Campaign for FIU”. She also serves on the board of Chapman Partnership, Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade, FIU President’s Council, and the American Red Cross. She has served as Chair of Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) Foundation, on the Board of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the Miami Children’s Health System Board, as well as on the Board of American Cancer Society’s Miami-Dade Unit.
Marile Lopez and her husband, Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq., are widely known for their philanthropic work in our South Florida community. They have received numerous awards for their exceeding dedication, including the 2017 Power Couple by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, 2015 American Red Cross Philanthropy Volunteer of the Year Award, the 2014 Charles “Bebe” Rebozo Humanitarian Award from the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade, the 2013 James W. McLamore Volunteer of the Year Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Marile received in 2018 the MDC Parks Foundation in the Company of Women Award, the Take a Walk in her Shoes Award by Chapman Partnership, and the Woman of the Year Award by Miami Women Who Rock. In 2017, she received the Philanthropy Award by Fairchild Botanical Gardens, and in 2016, she was the recipient of Torch Award – Community Leadership Professional Achievement Award by Florida International University, the American Red Cross Spectrum Award, and the Women of Substance & Style Award by Buoniconti Fund. In 2015, Marile received the Woman of Distinction and Caring by Plaza Health Network, and in 2014, the Women of Faith with the Virtue of Charity Award from the Archdiocese of Miami, Mujeres Giving Back Treasure by The Woman’s Fund, Women Who Have Influenced the Community with Outstanding Charitable Causes by Neiman Marcus-Coral Gables, Miracle Maker by Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Hispanic Leadership Philanthropy Award by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Marile was also the recipient of the Inner Circle of 12 recognition from the American Cancer Society in 2013, and St. Jude Honors in 2012.
Mrs. Lopez received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from Florida International University, and Associate’s degree from Miami-Dade College.
Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq., have five children: AR, Carli, Annia, Saramelia and Luis Jorge. They all reside in Coconut Grove, Flo
