Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Rojas.
Hi Catherine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Colombia, and ever since I was little, I dreamed of moving to Miami, even though I didn’t know much about the city. I’ve always been passionate about music—I attended music school, loved singing, dancing, and playing the piano—and I saw Miami as the perfect place to explore and build a career in music.
My family’s life in Colombia was challenging, both financially and in terms of safety. My mom, a business owner and principal of her own K–12 school, decided to close the business and lease the building to seek better opportunities for us in the U.S. She initially moved to Virginia because a cousin lived there. I stayed in Colombia to finish high school, living with my dad, a retired Major of the Colombian army. I also grew up in a very dysfunctional family environment, with a lot of conflict between my parents. That instability deeply affected me emotionally and mentally, leaving me with trauma that I later had to acknowledge, face, and begin healing.
In the U.S., my mom remarried. My stepfather sponsored my move as soon as I completed high school. However, leaving my father, friends, and the rest of my family in Colombia was an extremely difficult change for me, as I didn’t truly want to move at that moment. I lived in Virginia for about three years while attending college. Eventually, I decided to move to Miami on my own, driven by the aspiration to pursue my career in the music industry, but I didn’t find the success I hoped for. When I moved to Miami, I was also in a toxic relationship, and I went through a lot of emotional struggles and personal challenges that made everything even harder.
After facing difficult times, I put aside my dream of a music career and my studies, as I lost interest in everything else. Since I am an only child and my mother is my only family in the U.S., I had to rely solely on myself. To survive, I worked in the hospitality industry for many years, until I reached a point where I felt I couldn’t do it anymore. I wasn’t happy and realized I needed to be more ambitious. I felt I had the potential to do better and dream big.
I eventually returned to college, pursuing an Associate Degree in Business Administration with the intention of starting my own business one day. However, I didn’t complete it. I received a business opportunity that allowed me to focus all my energy on learning and growing from practical experience. During that period, I also deeply committed myself to self-development, self-learning, healing, and spiritual growth. This became a profound passion, and I love sharing the knowledge, experiences, and tools I’ve gained to inspire others to make positive changes in their lives. This passion led me to start writing a book, which is not yet finished or published.
The company I worked for provided what truly felt like a university education. However, when the business failed, I lost my job, all my savings, and my investments. This led to a period of intense difficulty that severely impacted my mental health; I struggled with depression, anxiety, and was later diagnosed with ADHD. Today, I feel a strong calling to advocate for and educate others about mental health. Health and wellness, in general, have become a genuine passion, particularly in areas like fasting and biohacking. Financial education is another key focus; I am actively self-educating to avoid past mistakes and make smarter decisions for a secure future. I recognize I am still evolving, but I am driven by many dreams and projects I aim to accomplish.
Driven by a wide array of interests—a characteristic I attribute partly to my ADHD—I possess an insatiable desire for learning and continuous change. I thrive on movement and experimentation, choosing to live life authentically, outside of conventional societal expectations. While this drive is strong, I struggle significantly with maintaining focus on a single endeavor; I can become easily stuck or bored. I often keep myself busy with numerous activities, yet the difficulty in committing fully to one thing at a time leaves me feeling like I haven’t accomplished what I should, leading to a tendency to be overly self-critical.
Beyond my primary occupations, I was driven to establish my own business. As a lifelong and passionate animal lover who even rescued strays as a child, I naturally gravitated toward pet sitting, launching my business in 2018. I successfully applied to offer my services on Rover, where I have achieved a 5-star rating. While Rover provides me with many clients, I also maintain a busy schedule with my own regular private clientele, keeping me occupied throughout the year. Having cared for hundreds of dogs and cats, what began as a side gig has grown into a substantial source of income for me, offering both emotional support and therapy. I genuinely love assisting people with their pets, recognizing the profound significance these animals hold in our lives—a sentiment I deeply understand, as I have two cats and recently mourned the loss of my dog, Rasi. It brings me immense joy to give people the absolute peace of mind they need to travel, knowing their cherished “furry kids” are receiving the best possible care with me. Their trust in me with their precious babies makes me extremely happy. On a related note, I am a vocal advocate for animal rights and adoption, and I regularly donate to animal rescue organizations.
My journey into property management was entirely accidental. After losing my previous job, I became interested in real estate investing and tried to start my own business. However, running out of cash and accumulating debt necessitated finding a stable source of income. I applied for various online jobs and was hired as an administrative assistant at a real estate company. This proved to be an excellent opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and start a new career in the industry. About eighteen months later, despite having no prior property management experience, I was offered and accepted the property manager position for their portfolio of multifamily buildings, totaling 68 units. Taking on this challenge was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I am incredibly proud of my progress and the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained. This role is a perfect fit because the daily operations—managing tenants, coordinating maintenance, tracking financials, and all the other responsibilities—ensure there is never a dull moment. I am currently working toward obtaining my Apartment Manager Certification (CAM).
In addition to my work with this company, I also operate a small Print on Demand business on Etsy. This allows me to tap into my creative side by designing giftable items, such as shirts and mugs, primarily for friends, family, and pet lovers. I find it very rewarding to challenge myself constantly and stay busy, and it’s particularly satisfying to see clients happy with the products they receive. I’ve also recently completed a certification as an energy healer, looking for my own healing and spiritual growth.
There have been multiple turning points in my life that pushed me to reinvent myself and discover new passions. My previous role in the hospitality industry was exhausting and sparked a desire for change, which led me to study business with the goal of opening my own venture. Although I didn’t complete my degree, I discovered a deep enthusiasm for business and finance. Later, I navigated a period of depression and an existential crisis that forced me to reevaluate my life. That experience gave me clarity and awakened a desire to live a purpose-driven life, set higher ambitions, and move beyond merely surviving. This shift ignited a deep passion for personal development and eventually led me to writing my first book—something I never imagined, especially since I once disliked reading. Yet, consciously choosing to read my first book years ago changed my life, and I truly believe in the power of books to inspire, motivate, and transform people.
Following a business failure, I was forced to pivot and reinvent my career, ultimately moving into the real estate industry. I currently work as a property manager, a role that offers both challenges and motivation while providing me with extensive knowledge of the multifamily sector. This position is strategically important, as my long-term goal is to become a real estate investor and confidently manage my own investments in the future.
That chapter of my life also led me to a transformative discovery: Toastmasters International, a non-profit dedicated to developing confident communicators and leaders around the world. After a period of low confidence and mental health struggles following a job loss, I found a local chapter—the Coral Gables Club—near my office and decided to attend a meeting after work. That decision marked a turning point for me.
Over the past three years, Toastmasters has played a major role in my personal and professional growth. It helped me rebuild my confidence, strengthen my communication skills, and rediscover my voice. This year, serving as President of the Coral Gables Toastmasters Club has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I find deep purpose in welcoming new guests, supporting members on their growth journeys, and watching people step into confidence they didn’t know they had. As the club grows and thrives, so does my sense of purpose—and it has allowed me to fully align my passion for personal development with service to my community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting over in a new country without a support system was really tough, and I’ve faced my share of personal and professional challenges. There were times when I lost jobs, faced financial instability, and struggled deeply with my mental health.
When the business I worked for closed, I lost everything—my job, my savings, and my sense of stability. That moment forced me to rebuild my life from scratch. I went through depression and anxiety and was later diagnosed with ADHD, which actually helped me understand myself on a whole new level.
Those difficult times taught me resilience and made me realize how capable I am of reinventing myself. They also led me to personal growth, healing, and eventually to Toastmasters International, which helped me regain my confidence and find my voice again. Every challenge has shaped me into the person I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
During the day, I work as a Property Manager, overseeing three multifamily buildings with a total of 68 units. I handle everything from tenant relations and maintenance coordination to budgets and financial tracking. It’s a demanding role, but I genuinely love it because every day brings a new challenge. I’m very hands-on and take pride in treating every property as if it were my own.
What sets me apart is that I came into this industry with no background in real estate—I learned everything from the ground up. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown in such a short time and how I’ve turned what started as “just a job” into a real career path. I’m currently working toward my Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation and have a long-term goal of becoming a real estate investor so I can one day manage my own properties.
Besides my day job in property management, I also run my own pet-sitting business and an Etsy shop. I’m a 5-star rated sitter on Rover, and I’ve built a loyal group of clients who trust me to care for their pets while they’re away. Working with animals brings me so much joy—it’s therapeutic and truly rewarding.
My Etsy shop lets me express my creative side by designing mugs, shirts, and other giftable items inspired by positivity, self-love, and pets. I love creating designs that make people smile and brighten their day.
I truly put my heart into everything I do. Whether it’s managing properties, caring for someone’s beloved pet, or creating something special for a customer, I always want to excel while adding value to my job, my clients, and my community.
What I’m most proud of, though, is my growth as a leader. As President of the Coral Gables Toastmasters Club, a non-profit dedicated to developing confident communicators and leaders, I’ve had the chance to mentor and inspire others while continuing to grow myself. Watching members find their voice and confidence reminds me how powerful personal development can be—and it’s what truly drives me every day.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken many risks in my life, both personally and professionally. Moving to a new country as a teenager and leaving my family, friends, and everything familiar behind was the first big one. Later, deciding to move to Miami completely on my own without any family or safety net was another huge leap of faith.
One of the biggest risks I took was leaving college and a stable job to work for someone’s business without any prior experience. I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I wanted to challenge myself and learn something new. That opportunity became one of the most important learning experiences of my life—it was my real-world university.
I’ve also taken financial risks that didn’t always go as planned. I invested in ventures that eventually failed, and at one point, I lost everything—my job, savings, and stability. I’ve trusted people in business who ended up failing or betraying that trust, and those experiences were extremely painful. But they also taught me how to set boundaries, listen to my intuition, and protect my energy and effort.
Another big risk was accepting the role of President of the Coral Gables Toastmasters Club. At first, I doubted myself and thought I wouldn’t be able to handle the responsibility. I was afraid I’d feel overwhelmed, tired, or not good enough for the position. But I decided to say yes anyway—and that decision became one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It helped me grow as a leader, build confidence, and realize how much I could handle when I believed in myself.
To me, risk-taking is part of growth. It’s never comfortable, but it’s necessary. Every time I’ve stepped into the unknown—whether changing careers, starting my pet-sitting business, launching my Etsy shop, or taking on a property management role with no experience—it’s helped me discover new strengths and redefine what I’m capable of.
And I’ve learned that failure will always be part of risk. But every failure—and every betrayal—brings wisdom, strength, and lessons that move you closer to success. The more I risk and the more I fail, the wiser I become—and the closer I get to where I want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rover.com/sit/cather
- Instagram: cathekarate
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-rojas1
- Other: https://coralgablestoastmasters.com
