LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 34

Latina Lideres Awards
entrepreneurial
Susan Plasencia
2019 Latina Mover N Shaker
by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
The future is unwritten.........
God has given me opportunity on top of
opportunity. I just walk through the doors he
opens.
LTM: Tell us about where you were born and raised concert was “Don Omar” at the Sands Bethlehem Casino in PA.
and where your family is from?
Susan Plasencia: I was born in LA to a Cuban Refugee who ar-
rived in the 60’s and a Puerto Rican Flamenco dancer from New
York. By the time I was born, my father had managed to pay
for and bring his other 12 family members from Cuba. It was
the first time in almost a decade they were all in the same city.
The revolution had turned Cuba into a Communist Dictatorship
forcing many Cubans to flee and seek political asylum in other
countries. Just three days after I was born, a 6.5 earthquake hit
California rocking the world of the newly arrived Cubans. We
were initially all moving to Miami (earthquake free zone) but
on the ride over here, my father, Rene Plasencia saw potential in
Orlando. He purchased a middle-class home in what was then a
middle-class neighborhood in South West Orlando. I remained
there for 25 years. At that time and up until the 80’s, Orlando’s
Hispanic community consisted of mostly Cubans.
My father afforded my mother, Norma Plasencia, the opportu-
nity to raise us without having to hold down a job herself. She
made sure my brother and I were active and well cared for. I
was a part of the Girl Scouts, Menudo Fan Club, went camping,
joined the Westridge Junior High School’s Dance Team, attend-
ed church regularly, was a part of Catechism classes and had
many wonderful friends.
Having been fortunate enough to be at my father’s side; I am
witness to the rise of the Hispanic Community in Orlando. He
was the first to hold a Latin dance and festival in Orlando. He
was the first to raise the Puerto Rican flag in a public space in
Osceola County. He founded the Cuban Society of Orlando and
what is now the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Or-
lando. He was involved strongly in the political arena and social
spaces of our community and I was lucky enough to have been
witness to it all.
LTM: Tell me about what you do for a living
Susan Plasencia: I make something out of nothing while pro-
viding a service or entertainment to the community. Since 1992,
I have been a part of the family business; Rene’s Productions and
we specialize in special events. For the most part, we create, plan
and roll out concerts and festivals. The most popular festival in
Central Florida is “Festival Calle Orange Downtown Orlando”
now in its 21st year. We shut down 10 city blocks and erect 3
large, action packed sound stages. Vendors all line the streets
while International performers grace the stages. My most recent
I’m also a Grassroots Political Consultant and I created a firm in
2012 which provides staffing for political campaigns. Up until
my entrance onto the political scene; all other Grassroots firms
came from out of state or didn’t provide transparency to the cli-
ent/politician. My entire staff is from Florida, we understand
Florida and my client has real time access to gps locations and
data.
I have managed campaigns in Orlando, Winter Park, South
Florida, State-wide and National races.
LTM: Tell us about the biggest highlights of your career.
Susan Plasencia: Here’s the interesting thing. I work to live not
live to work. I would define myself as Mom and Grand mom
vs. Campaign Manager of, Producer of …………. So if I had
to speak about the biggest highlight of my career, it was work-
ing with my grown children and their father in producing the
Don Omar concert in Pennsylvania. These are the most trusted
people in my circle. They are hardworking and know exactly
what to do. Also, traveling with me to the concert were my two
teenage grandchildren and their teenage cousin. To them, I’m
just an old fogy. Trying to change that, I gave them backstage
access, they watched the soundcheck/rehearsal, met Don Omar,
provided them suites at the casino hotel and were even a part of
his event video posted on social media. Although I received lots
of love, at the end of the day I’m still the Old Fogy.
LTM: As a Latina leader in community, business or other…what
has been your biggest challenge and how have you been able to
overcome it
Susan Plasencia: My biggest challenge is overcoming people’s
insistence that you can’t have it all. You can do it all. At the end
of the day, what does “all” mean to you? I accomplish what I set
in my mind to do.
LTM: Tell us about what kind of projects you currently have go-
ing on
Susan Plasencia: I’m currently working with the Mega chain of
radio stations in Pennsylvania to open up the market for His-
panic Festivals and Concerts.
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