Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Barrera.
Daniela, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to change the world and help people SOMEHOW. This started when I had to choose a career. I ended up choosing a career I wasn’t interested in, I applied and didn’t receive the ¨yes¨… I come from a family where studying a professional career is a big deal, so I knew I had to study SOMETHING, I push myself, so eventually I studied teaching languages, in the first semester I fell in love with education. I was so lucky to find my passion ¨right away¨… I always pictured myself helping people and teaching is a GREAT tool for that.
After working in public and private schools, I finally decided to do something on my own, I felt like I had to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I talked to different people, creating plans and plans with no action. Finally, I had the opportunity to talk with my current co-partner, Adrian Guzman. Who invited me to set everything up, we started with a small office, plastic chairs and a huge passion for changing the world. After almost three years of teaching languages, personal growth and tools for entrepreneurs to grow their projects, we keep improving ourselves, growing our learning community and connecting with different people around the world to create a support net where education can grow by creating events, workshops, courses, etc.
I have followed my passion through these years to give the best of myself in order to impact in a positive way in people’s lives at CAD Centro de Aprendizaje y Desarrollo in my hometown in Mexico, and eventually around the world
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest challenge I have faced so far is believing in myself. At the beginning, I felt I wasn’t enough for what I wanted; I felt like I needed more tools, more knowledge, more time, more resources. I think this is what entrepreneurs might feel when they are startups. If I have to give some advice about this, FIND MENTORS. People who can help you in your process, because it won’t be easy, it will take time (no matter the challenge), it will take energy, it might take money, but if you have a good support net, maybe friends, family, business-partners or mentors, this will give the strength to overcome any challenge.
I would like to tell you a story, at the beginning of my journey starting ¨my own business¨we knew social media was great to grow your company, community and actually GIVE to the world value. And because I didn’t believe in myself, I wasn’t able to record not even a simple and small video… Yes, just a video. Why? Because I didn’t feel good enough and didn’t believe in myself. It took me 1.5 years to work on my self-esteem by remembering my passion and starting to create healthy habits in my life, so little by little I started to love myself, what I did, and what I was able to give, starting to believe IN ME. Eventually, I took my camera, recorded a video all by myself, and I knew it. I knew I HAD TO DO IT without waiting for the ¨the perfect moment¨ because it doesn’t exist.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I love teaching, I believe education is the solution for all the problems in the world. Currently, I teach English and Spanish because I love sharing different cultures and teach my language and my culture.
We love to offer a practical way of learning; languages, personal growth or starting your own business. CAD creates monthly events to practice with our learning community, so learning and practice different languages shouldn’t be just attending class. Learning is everywhere and we want to project this.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
SOCIAL MEDIA. Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn are great tools to connect with people ANYWHERE. I love education, specially parenting education, is my favorite. I found a parent coach, super passionate about what she does on Instagram, so I sent her a DM and done, I connected to her. The power of the social media is amazing. You can chat with people, you can learn different tools, and also connect to start creating this support net for what you want to start or to do.
Other great tools that I have used are BOOKS, of course and VIDEOS on YouTube, I have found mentors there. People who I haven’t met in person yet, but I study their teaching, what they share on social media and of course, their books.
There is a great project called IDEA Media, CAD s sister company… focused on vocation. IDEA Media is focused on creating tools (videos, live streaming, interviews) with useful information about professions and personal growth, IDEA has an amazing platform to find the perfect mentor for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: comunidadcad.com
- Phone: 6643017275
- Email: cad.tijuana.info@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddanielabarrera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddanielabarrera/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/barreraddaniela
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-barrera/
Image Credit:
Adrian Guzman
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