LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 23

Latina Lideres Awards
entrepreneurial
Marilyn Santiago
2019 Latina Mover N Shaker
by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
I am growing my business, enhancing
our production capabilities, acquiring
more equipment and increasing our
product lines.
We are in a crossroad of our careers,
of our business... experiencing growing
pains, learning and enjoying the ride!
LTM: What part of Florida do you live in – are you from Florida? If
not – what brought you to Florida?
Marilyn Santiago: I live in Fort Myers, FL since February 2016, how-
ever, my first stop in the Sunshine State, was back in 2003 when I
moved to Miami to avoid contact with my ex-husband after many
years of domestic violence in Chicago. Florida became my safe haven.
I have lived in paradise for the past 16 years.
LTM: Tell us about where you were born and raised and where your
family is from
Marilyn Santiago: I am originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, La Perla
del Sur! My family was originally from a small-town west of Ponce,
called Peñuelas (a beautiful town full of mountains, creeks and caves.
They had businesses there, but decided to move to Ponce in the late
1940’s.
LTM: Tell me about what you do for a living
Marilyn Santiago: We own a manufacturing facility in the city of
Fort Myers. It is called Creative Architectural Resin Products, Inc.
(CARP). We proudly design and manufacture architectural elements
made out of strong, lightweight, convenient polyresin. We replicate
wood and stone and we make amazing faux wood beams, panels,
shutters, brackets and other custom products.
LTM: Tell me about what organizations you are a part of
Marilyn Santiago: I get involved with non profit organizations that
help the underdogs. The bullied, the survivors of domestic violence,
children in vulnerable situations and women empowerment. I am
currently or recently involved with The New York Puerto Rican Day
Parade, National Association of Women in Construction, Indigo Sky
Collective, KKIDS, Dress for Success and hopefully soon will be help-
ing with Blessings in a Backpack, and My Autism Connection.
LTM: Tell us about the biggest highlights of your career
Marilyn Santiago: Throughout my professional life, I have been bless-
ed by being recognized for my job, via awards, ratings and recogni-
tions. For example, I was named “Program Director of the Year”, by
now Univision Radio. I was part of the Elite “Women in Music”, by
Billboard Magazine and the Hispanic Leadership Award for mento-
ring youth talent and my contributions to the U.S. media and enter-
L atin T imes M agazine
tainment industry, among others. But nowadays, I can proudly say that
being paid for providing a product or service that I created, developed
or strategized, is indeed the first highlight in my career. I was able to
live out of something that I brought to light!
LTM: As a Latina leader in community, business or other…what has
been your biggest challenge and how have you been able to over-
come it
Marilyn Santiago: My biggest challenges have been Intimidation and
credibility. People either felt intimidated with my presence, tone or
power or others didn’t believe what I expressed for not fitting their
“normal“ profile. So before making a point, I had to prove myself to be
heard. It got annoying with time.
LTM: How important is being a Latina to you
Marilyn Santiago: I embrace being a Latina. I see special qualities in us
that I really like in people. However, it becomes very challenging as we
find us proving ourselves for being women and also for being a Latina.
We learn the lessons that life throws at us. We are passionate and loyal
and in business, we are currently the largest demographic owners of
small businesses yay!!!
LTM: What do you think some of the best career choices are for
young Latinas.
Marilyn Santiago: Careers in the medical field, media or the new in-
dustries that will be born in the next years. The important thing that
they need to understand is that no matter what is it they want to do,
either in school, online, youtube, self-teaching etc, Prepare yourself.
Educate yourself.
LTM: What is your comida favorita
Marilyn Santiago: I have many favs, from Puerto Rican Mofongo,
mampostiao’ and chuletas can can, to carapulcra from Peru. I love
French cuisine and try to avoid Italian, for obvious reasons. In general,
I find myself interested in new flavors, from all over.
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A braza el calor de tu cultura !
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