Today we’d like to introduce you to Mirtle Peña-calderón
Hi Mirtle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
This journey occurred out of simple happenstance. If someone had told me when I was younger that I would be a journalist, entrepreneur, and author (currently working on my debut book), I would have called them a liar. Ironically, they were all things I had no interest in doing, but the universe has a sick sense of humor because I absolutely love what I get to do.
I gravitate toward storytelling that shines a light on things people aren’t often thinking of or aware of. I feel lucky and blessed that I get to do that every single day. I have always known that I wanted to work in communications, so I got a public relations degree from the University of Florida. But, life always has different designs.
I worked in social media marketing for several years before landing in media and journalism. Since then, I feel like I’ve been living a dream. Because of the work I’ve done as a Latina journalist who focuses on her community, I’ve made connections with people who have become friends and trusted collaborators — something that has led to my first book deal (a women’s history book on influential and impactful Latinas worldwide).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life is rarely ever linear and seldomly smooth. My journey isn’t unique in that I’ve had bumps along the way — I feel like that’s a universal experience for everyone. There have been so many cases and instances where I’ve doubted myself on whether I have taken the right path for my career. Did I choose the right job? Is this an opportunity that I am worthy of?
Imposter syndrome is a wild ride, and sometimes it’s hard to shut that voice down. Sometimes it keeps me from really enjoying my achievements. Regardless of anything, I believe that every experience you go through teaches you something you can lean on later in life. I’m a huge believer in transferable skills and have accepted that those early hardships were all placed in my path to help me navigate what would come next — a living, breathing domino effect.
Am I cured of the doubt? Not entirely, but where in the past it was debilitating, now it’s something I use to help me navigate whatever I am doing. I take it as my inner voice trying to protect me from something, so I take time to analyze what exactly could be the cause of it. I’ve learned to listen to my instincts and use them as guides to help me follow the path that feels the most aligned.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have the heart and soul of a storyteller, so everything I do revolves around that. How can I tell the story of this person so that others may see their greatness? What is something that is occurring within our community that most people aren’t thinking about?
That’s why I created my website Latinidad Collective and why I am passionate about my work as a writing consultant. Stories are powerful. They can move people to action, tears, and joy. They can open up narratives and realities that are far from our reach and make so many things feel possible.
Success, for me, is when someone feels that they are seen by what I’ve written or helped them write. People are trusting me with something sacred to them, and I don’t take that lightly.
What are your plans for the future?
What’s the saying? The world is my oyster? That’s how I’ve been feeling as of late. My word for the next year is gratitude, and despite everything not being as I’d like, I realize that I am where I need to be in order to become who I am meant to be.
My plans for the next year include a super successful book debut with my co-author Ashley K Stoyanov Ojeda, Latinidad Collective establishing itself as a storytelling hub, and helping my writing consultancy clients achieve their writing dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://latinidadcollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirtlepcalderon/
- Other: https://www.mirtlepcalderon.com/
Image Credits
Karen Khoun Design and Photography
