00:00
I'm big on manifesting.
00:02
get very clear on your vision.
00:04
What is the end result?
00:05
What does it look like,
00:06
and don't worry about the how.
00:08
Your job is just to like see yourself in the future,
00:11
in that dream career,
00:13
and really trust the process.
00:18
Marissa, welcome to Mi Gente Latino.
00:22
Thank you for having me.
00:24
Thank you for making the drive.
00:26
For those that don't know,
00:26
we're in LA, but LA.
00:29
It could be 10 miles,
00:30
but that's like 3 hours depending on the time.
00:33
If it rains, it was raining,
00:34
a little drizzle today.
00:36
dude, people, like they'd be breaking like every 2 minutes
00:41
But anyway, I think I'm.
00:42
Oh really? I'm like that because I'm multitask,
00:47
not in an unsafe way,
00:48
but like I could do a betask.
00:51
I could do a full beat,
00:52
audio text, audio text.
00:55
The voice notes behaving different when you're driving,
00:56
you know. You hear the little like yeah like hey sorry
01:01
I can hear the cars,
01:02
but ba ba ba ba ba ba cheese,
01:04
you know, but that's what you have to do when you're
01:07
booked and busy, which Corisa you are.
01:10
The people of LA yearn for community.
01:12
They yearn for a place to come together and you truly are
01:16
someone who is paving the way here in LA.
01:19
So yes, we really appreciate all the work.
01:23
You do, but I wanted to ask,
01:25
how do you unwind and chill because you are a hifa,
01:29
and with that comes rest.
01:31
I'm curious how you tap into that.
01:33
But before, I want to just flex the,
01:36
just so you guys know,
01:37
is it Carrissa or Corissa?
01:38
Because I always feel like it's because my name is Alejandro and
01:46
you know Alejandro, you know,
01:47
I used to be forgiving about it being.
01:49
And then I read this meme about like sis,
01:51
if they can pronounce charcuterie,
01:53
they can pronounce your name.
01:55
I'm like damn right,
02:01
It takes a minute to,
02:02
and also it's not rude to correct someone.
02:05
It's your name. It's your right.
02:07
It's your like hello,
02:09
it's basic. The thing,
02:11
first thing you learn in elementary school is my name is.
02:14
And you say your name the right way,
02:16
yeah, so say it loud and say it proud.
02:18
Amen., so for those that don't know,
02:21
you're the owner of Nativo,
02:23
a bar in Highland Park.
02:24
You're also in charge or you're the owner or creator of the
02:27
Hustle Heart Collective. Mujeres money Mezcal tambien again,
02:34
but you were named the 2026 Women of the Year.
02:37
In California, I was,
02:39
dude, like, like I said,
02:42
hey, which is why I wanna know how,
02:46
how do you do it all?
02:47
Oh my goodness. Well,
02:50
I'm very blessed to have an incredible team that makes me look
02:53
really good, so I don't do it alone.
02:55
I have an army of awesome.
02:58
People, whether it's my family,
03:00
my friends, or my team that it feels like family,
03:04
but to your question,
03:06
I think that I've gotten really good about morning routines.
03:09
I'm like very religious about not missing out my routine,
03:12
which is like hyper focused on me and that quiet space that
03:16
I can create for myself,
03:18
whether it's exercising. meditating,
03:20
listening to upbeat music just to like start getting my mood boosted
03:24
and, and accomplishing small goals throughout the morning so that I
03:27
set the tone for the day.
03:29
And then when I really need to disconnect,
03:31
I love going to Baja.
03:32
I know it's like very privileged in that that I can go
03:35
but it's one of my favorite quick escapes because it's
03:38
like a 2 hour drive.
03:40
the food is phenomenal.
03:42
I've made a community out there as well,
03:45
and I get to be by the ocean away from the noise
03:48
and slow it down and just enjoy being alive.
03:53
That's the beauty of LA.
03:54
You were literally 2 hours away from.
03:58
Baja California Tijuana. I mean,
04:01
if I go to the snow too,
04:02
I feel like we're in a good spot to you want to
04:04
go to Disney. You want to go to wherever.
04:07
And for Baja, do you ever go to Puerto Nuevo,
04:09
dude, my parents always go like whenever I go with them
04:12
and they go to La Lagostas like,
04:14
mico langosta de gar.
04:15
I'm like, I don't know how they remember it,
04:16
but we always end up at the same spot,
04:18
the same table, and like,
04:21
and you know one thing I really love about Baja is like
04:23
it's full commitment to like small mom pop businesses,
04:27
right? So it's like one of those authentic spaces where small
04:31
business exists and is fully supported and,
04:34
and I love, you know,
04:35
going out there making friends.
04:37
Shout out to Tijuana and Rosarito.
04:39
Hi Rosarito. I'm not the Mexicana Pero.
04:46
I grew up surrounded by so much Mexican love and community.
04:50
I love Rosarito. I used to beg my mom to take
04:54
me to Rosarito, and then we ended up going to Valle
04:56
Guadalupe, and it is just stunning.
05:00
It's stunning, and only 2 hours away,
05:02
and there's a big surfing community,
05:04
so I started surfing too.
05:07
Do you surf out here?
05:08
I don't surf out here.
05:09
I surf in Mexico just because that's where I go to disconnect
05:12
and I actually have like free time to do stuff.
05:15
Yeah, yeah, it's been a good time.
05:17
Did you recently learn to surf?
05:19
Yeah, I've recently learned.
05:20
I have a friend out there that runs his training classes and
05:25
so I tapped in and it's become such a spiritual experience.
05:29
Like no technology. You're out in the water.
05:32
It's like reflective of life.
05:34
Like some waves you can ride,
05:35
some will knock you off your.
05:37
And then you get back up and try again.
05:39
That is so deep and so true.
05:41
As a very anxious person myself,
05:43
my primo owns a surf school here in Malibu,
05:46
and he goes to Baja as well to teach sometimes.
05:49
And when I was having the worst anxiety of my life,
05:52
surfing is the only thing that forced me to be present,
05:56
grounded in the moment.
05:58
So I love to hear that you've learned recently,
06:01
It's scary, but you could still do it.
06:04
Totally, yes, I love that.
06:10
You're not shy to like the world of entrepreneurship and just like
06:13
financial literacy. And you've done a lot of like,
06:15
you know, initiatives to kind of build that community.
06:17
Like what does that mean for you?
06:19
I, I feel it's really important,
06:21
right? It's just that,
06:23
my background, I studied sociology in college and then started my
06:26
career as a school teacher.
06:28
A lot of people don't know that I taught middle school and
06:31
I absolutely loved it.
06:33
Wait, what grade or was it?
06:35
Oh, yeah, and maybe have like one group of 7th
06:39
graders. Yeah, it was,
06:41
it was pretty intense,
06:43
I loved working with the young minds and forming future leaders and
06:46
this ability to teach,
06:50
when my dad retired from having worked 30+ years for his company
06:55
we learned firsthand what it was to see someone
06:58
go from raising a family,
07:00
being really proud about getting up,
07:02
teaching family work ethic,
07:04
and then in the end being left with nothing because a lot
07:06
of folks in our community think that the way to retire in
07:09
this country is through Social Security,
07:11
and there's this huge disconnect between the financial institution and our communities
07:17
Like gained this passion about learning how money works and then I
07:21
was so intrigued by it that I was like,
07:23
oh, I can help my friends and family learn how to
07:26
do this. And the blessing of knowing how to be a
07:29
teacher and teach concepts,
07:30
it was just really changing what I was teaching.
07:34
And so 20 years ago I started like community workshops around money
07:38
and making sure that we are closing the gap between financial information
07:43
resources tool in our community to.
07:45
Empower ourselves with how money works.
07:48
And that's how this all evolved into what it's blossomed into today
07:53
That's amazing. I love the fact that,
07:55
again, I didn't know about the teacher thing.
07:56
That's crazy. Junior high.
07:58
But using that tool again to put people onto other aspects of
08:01
life is always like,
08:02
because half the battle is like being so informed and pumped up
08:06
about it to get other people excited,
08:07
right? So they also see the vision and they also say
08:10
like, I can do it too,
08:12
be willing. To learn and be receptive,
08:14
right, because it's kind of with our parents too,
08:16
right? Like my dad always like,
08:18
no, OK, what that is so you know,
08:20
pontepilas, right? And then when I was like,
08:23
you know, using my credit cards a lot,
08:24
he's like, it's like,
08:26
shit, he was onto something,
08:28
1015 years later I'm like,
08:30
you know, my credit's good and this and that.
08:33
like homeboyabalo with his accounts and 401k and even he got on
08:38
Bitcoin before even there was a thing.
08:40
I'm like. He would have told me about this stuff or
08:43
he did, but in a different way.
08:45
But definitely being more open and conversational about it with family,
08:48
with friends, like earlier on is definitely something that's like you
08:52
know slept on, obviously,
08:53
yeah, definitely, and I think that's where the the
08:57
concept of mujeres Maria mezcal was born from,
08:59
you know, it's like marrying two of my passions,
09:03
you know, teaching financial concepts and also the mezcal from my
09:07
bars. really bringing in this cultural way of approaching,
09:13
and I want to talk about that cultural connection,
09:15
because let's be real,
09:16
with all due respect to the white man,
09:18
although you have harmed us.
09:20
For me, I want to hear it from someone that looks
09:23
like me, that sounds like me,
09:24
that understand. Understands me,
09:26
that can speak to my parents,
09:28
and that's why it's so important for community members to be teaching
09:32
and to be literate in this financial world,
09:36
because it is terrifying,
09:38
let's be real. Like,
09:39
I remember being in middle school myself.
09:42
The boys would always be like,
09:43
Oh, my parents just invested in stocks,
09:45
and I was always like,
09:46
What are stocks? What are stocks?
09:48
He would understand it,
09:52
you know, your adolescent,
09:54
adolescent. Did I say it right?
09:56
That's adolescent. Thank you.
09:59
Yeah. Can you say it one more time.
10:02
Adolescent adolescence past your,
10:08
no, no, I'm gonna stop growing up it.
10:12
Real life starts happening.
10:15
it's so important and clearly personal to you,
10:18
we appreciate that so much.
10:21
I wanted to touch more on your first job.
10:24
As you mentioned, you were a school teacher.
10:27
Was that your first time in the workforce,
10:29
or was there a previous?
10:31
No, there was a previous job,
10:34
I like flourished in school.
10:38
so I did undergrad at Cal Poly Pomona and grad
10:43
yeah, but prior to getting into UCLA I took a year
10:48
after Cal Poly Pomona because I was trying to figure out,
10:50
OK, do I want to pursue labor law?
10:53
I really thought that that was the.
10:56
passion career that I was going to follow because my grandmother was
10:59
a costtura and I learned a lot about sweatshops and like what
11:04
you know, an immigrant in this country with no,
11:07
you know, vulnerability.
11:09
So I thought that was maybe one career route I wanted to
11:12
go into, but then I also had this passion for teaching
11:17
my parents were just like,
11:18
you know, just go out there,
11:19
start working, see what it is that you love to do
11:22
and there was this organization in Boyle Heights,
11:24
which I'm still really close to called Inner City Struggle,
11:27
and that for me was like my dream job.
11:30
It's all about educational equity on the east side.
11:33
And making sure that,
11:35
kids on the east side have access to education,
11:38
opportunities like anybody else.
11:42
I thought I was a badass.
11:43
I was coming out of school,
11:44
I was like getting awards and activist of the Year,
11:47
yeah, and I didn't get the job,
11:51
so I ended up at Macy's.
11:56
you know what, in retrospect,
11:57
it was where I needed to be.
11:59
I mean, it was like.
12:01
someone who is just getting recognition after recognition in college and needed
12:05
to be humbled, right?
12:06
So it's like coming out and then,
12:10
OK, well, I don't really have a professional,
12:14
apparel or work wear,
12:16
let me reinvest my Macy's paycheck into my and that that employee
12:21
discount. That's so funny.
12:27
wrapping gifts only because she used that money to help pay for
12:30
all the gifts that we would bring to Colombia back home when
12:33
we would travel, but she,
12:35
she admitted she's like,
12:36
I ended up blowing up way more money than I was getting
12:39
I was negative working there.
12:41
It's like, oh my God.
12:44
So customer service then.
12:46
Yes, yes. So I was very good at that.
12:49
Yeah, that builds character.
12:50
It really does though,
12:54
take it for granted.
12:54
Like I think at least everyone should work at least one customer
12:57
service job. I worked in food service and like ice cream
13:03
Johnny Rockets. Yeah.
13:06
So again, you get some awesome people and you get some
13:10
not so awesome people and you deal with like,
13:12
hey, the machine's broken.
13:13
Yeah, like spin it around,
13:16
like spin the story,
13:17
like, OK, or even then just like.
13:19
I feel like it builds basic people skills.
13:21
You don't have to be an extrovert.
13:23
Like, just that way you're not so shy and like awkward
13:26
in the world. I feel like,
13:28
I don't know if that especially people in my generation,
13:31
because I feel like COVID really messed with us and there's a
13:34
little bit of a struggle for some.
13:37
People to communicate and like basic social skills.
13:40
Like I go out these days and basic things are just not
13:44
happening anymore. And I think part of your story that's so
13:47
inspiring for me is right now,
13:49
college kids graduating are facing one of the worst job markets to
13:53
enter in history, and they've spent So much time and investment
13:59
in their education, something that is for our community so special
14:05
And I think your story is something that I would point to
14:09
when maybe someone who recently graduated is feeling,
14:12
why did I. Do this for because look at you now
14:16
It was a pivotal part of your career and,
14:19
and now you're making such a huge impact,
14:21
and I'm sure you were back then too in your own ways
14:26
but still like it's,
14:27
it's adolescence. Yes,
14:31
I can't say that word ever again.
14:34
Oh man, but do you have any advice for 20 year
14:36
olds or just anyone who's like struggling with like trying to find
14:40
what they want to do next that question.
14:41
I don't think it's asked enough,
14:43
but, I'm big on manifesting.
14:46
I'm huge on like get very clear on your vision.
14:49
What is the end result?
14:50
What does it look like,
14:51
and don't worry about the how.
14:52
Your job is just to like see yourself in the future,
14:56
in that dream career,
14:57
and really trust the process.
14:59
But when those opportunities arise,
15:01
be quick to act on them because it's not just about like
15:04
the visioning, envisioning and manifesting,
15:07
it's also recognizing when the opportunity,
15:10
you know, presents itself,
15:11
being ready to roll.
15:12
And so one of my mentors back in the day was like
15:18
and forgive me if I got it wrong,
15:20
but success is when opportunity meets.
15:24
Preparation. You know,
15:26
so constantly be preparing for what you want to be.
15:30
Just keep practicing it and when that opportunity comes,
15:33
you're ready to jump on it.
15:35
I am the Delulu queen in this room.
15:39
When I first came in here,
15:40
that was my whole thing.
15:41
I'm like, I love it manifesting,
15:42
I'm delusional. But with time,
15:45
what you said right now just makes perfect sense because Yeah,
15:49
it's right timing, but no,
15:51
it is also, I put it out there,
15:53
and I did the work to make whatever point A and point
15:58
B occur. Because manifesting and putting it out there is part
16:03
so, I'm curious if someone wants to learn more about manifesting
16:07
What specific, you know,
16:09
tips would you give for someone who's looking to get better.
16:12
At putting the work in.
16:15
Yeah, no, I think that it's really important to be
16:17
very, very clear and intentional about what the end result looks
16:21
like, right? And then work backwards.
16:24
OK, if that's where I want to be,
16:26
what do I need to do in the next 5 years,
16:29
6 months, and on a daily to make sure I'm hitting
16:32
like little goals that'll get me there.
16:34
And You know you said something about the Delulu queen,
16:37
and I actually just read this article this week that was talking
16:40
about scientific research shows that those of us who are delusional about
16:45
our realities have higher success rates of achieving what we set our
16:51
mind to. There's science behind it.
16:53
I'm nerdy when it comes to this,
16:54
and if there's research that proves this,
16:56
I'm going to be delusional.
16:59
I, the, the way you just rang my ears right
17:02
now, did you also hear the CEO of Google said that
17:05
divas are the best people to hire in the workplace?
17:09
Not that I'm a diva,
17:11
Diva, just like we bring fashion and energy diva,
17:16
that is, that is so good because oftentimes you hear these
17:19
terminologies and you could think,
17:21
oh, like, is this to belittle or delegitimize something and
17:25
no, it's just being optimistic and putting ourselves in spaces that
17:30
maybe I didn't see people like me when I was growing up
17:35
so it, it does take a little bit of delusion
17:38
to, to, to get here.
17:39
But to both of your points,
17:40
like I think the prep is also very much like a big
17:43
key factor that I'm sure you and I've seen you obviously like
17:46
prep for these moments where you're like,
17:48
you know what, I had it in my pocket.
17:49
If this shit does appear,
17:52
I'm ready. You know,
17:53
OK, but like those small moments matter more than you think
17:57
Yes, probably the most,
17:59
yes, 100%. Has there been any moments like that with
18:02
like any of your ventures like Nativo or even just your career
18:08
This passion project, which is Hustle on Heart,
18:11
I know we're going to talk about it shortly,
18:12
but through the pandemic,
18:14
I saw a lot of my business neighbors shutting down their businesses
18:18
for good, and it wasn't a decision that they made at
18:21
one wrong business move.
18:22
It was just decisions being made on our behalf by the city
18:26
and local officials that really impacted the way that small businesses were
18:30
able to recover from that time.
18:33
being an entrepreneur myself and understanding what went into building my space
18:38
I don't come from generational wealth.
18:40
Like what got me to open my doors was generations' worth of
18:44
work, and to close the doors forever wasn't like,
18:47
oh well, I'll try another hobby.
18:49
It was like closing doors on generations' worth of.
18:52
Sacrifice, you know,
18:54
everything we acquired together,
18:55
so I didn't take that lightly,
18:57
and it would really be gut-wrenching to me to see all these
19:00
other businesses go under around me.
19:02
So I took it upon myself to like,
19:04
OK, whatever resources I come across that I'm able to learn
19:07
I want to share them with others so that we can
19:10
all come out on the other side together.
19:13
seeing the community that we were building around this like trauma,
19:19
I don't know what else bonding,
19:23
and our and our dreams deserve to thrive.
19:26
I'm so sick of us being like always,
19:28
all these challenges being posed against us.
19:30
We overcome them, we get to that point,
19:32
and then we're faced with another wave of them.
19:35
let's come together. Put our minds together,
19:38
resources, networks, and let's let's advance together.
19:42
you know, one day it'd be really cool to create a
19:44
summit where I bring the resources and you know entrepreneurs trust other
19:49
entrepreneurs and they're not as likely to lean into government resources because
19:54
there's you know trust factors involved.
19:56
But if I could be like,
19:57
hey, this is what I've used to get to where I
20:00
am 6 businesses deep.
20:02
I want you to be aware of them and tap into them
20:08
when the summit was finally something that I thought,
20:11
I can move forward with this,
20:13
it was a matter of like picking up the phone and just
20:16
calling that first friend like,
20:17
hey, I'm thinking about doing this.
20:20
And immediately before I could finish,
20:22
they're like, if it's you,
20:28
and then the city of LA was like,
20:29
hey, we heard you're doing this,
20:31
we want to partner with you.
20:32
And so it was one of those moments where I was like
20:35
I've been preparing for a long time for this opportunity to
20:41
I thought 50 people would show up because it was my first
20:44
year. I didn't know really what I was doing.
20:45
I didn't have big budgets.
20:47
I was doing what I do best,
20:48
making something out of nothing,
20:50
and,, 300 people showed up.
20:54
But it was a testament.
20:56
It was a testament to like what the community needed and you
21:00
know, opportunity met preparation and it was a successful event,
21:06
but all the community that took part in it.
21:09
Oh my God, that gave me.
21:11
Chills. That's just so beautiful.
21:13
And again, the people yearn for community.
21:15
That's why it's so important to show up and hearing that you're
21:20
friends, yes, because it's you.
21:22
That's also so important to have your community of supporters that will
21:26
be with you. Through the tough times and through the good
21:29
times as well because it's difficult to build alone.
21:34
like you said, a team earlier when we were starting our
21:38
conversation. Yeah, the the confidence that they have,
21:41
like that's, you know,
21:43
what's that commercial. Like priceless.
21:48
it's like again, in confienza with trust,
21:51
like we're going to help each other.
21:53
Take this advice or leave it.
21:54
I'm trying to help these people too,
21:56
and so whoever wants to 100% and not just because they were
21:59
it goes back to preparation.
22:01
When you think no one's watching,
22:02
they're watching. So it's how you perform even in those moments
22:06
I think the greatest boxers.
22:08
Didn't become great boxers overnight.
22:10
It was those late nights of training when no one was watching
22:14
the decisions they made,
22:15
even when they weren't being held accountable,
22:17
what they ate, how they exercised,
22:20
And the same thing goes for your career and how you're preparing
22:23
And one last thing before we move on,
22:25
there's something beautiful because sometimes sadly within our own community,
22:30
we see each other as competition.
22:33
I'm sure you've experienced this.
22:36
What keeps that mentality far from you?
22:39
Because what I'm hearing and observing from what you've built,
22:42
there's far from that competitive mindset.
22:46
no, no, let's hold hands,
22:47
we're all in this together,
22:48
because it's us versus the people who are wishing ill on us
22:53
not us versus each other.
22:56
there's that saying where it's,
22:58
collaboration over competition,
23:00
and I think that a lot of,
23:03
the success that I've experienced has come because of collaboration
23:06
There's that saying too where it's like El solsa e paratodos
23:10
and I strongly believe that,
23:11
you know, there's the universe is rich.
23:15
There's enough for all of us,
23:17
and I think that unfortunately when we get into the competition mindset
23:21
it's scarcity, and you're doing more harm to yourself because
23:24
you've limited. What you believe you're able to acquire and so
23:28
now you've shut the door to a lot of other folks and
23:32
convinced yourself that you can only reach a certain capacity.
23:35
So it's, it's really understanding that there's more than enough for
23:39
all of us and as a community we should be working together
23:43
There's more power and unity.
23:45
Absolutely, yeah, and I was reading up.
23:48
I'm, I'm a huge fan of Homeboy Industries.
23:50
I me too. I grew up volunteering and I definitely have
23:55
Like signed copies from Greg Boyle of his book at
23:59
home. I did see you became their financial literacy educator.
24:04
What does that moment mean for you?
24:05
Oh my gosh, it was such a dream because,
24:09
growing up we were parishioners at Dolores Mission,
24:11
which is a little Jesuit church in Boyle Heights.
24:16
I was blessed to see the evolution of homeboy from starting under
24:20
Fred,, Father Greg Boyle,
24:22
who was the priest at Dolores Mission.
24:25
And how the concept of homeboy came around,
24:27
you know, he was doing more funerals than he had anticipated
24:31
for young people, and so he really bought into the concept
24:34
that nothing stops a bullet like a job,
24:36
which was the first model of Homeboy Industries,
24:39
and to see it evolve into just this powerhouse of an organization
24:43
that it's grown into and the amount of lives that it has
24:46
transformed is inspirational, and for me,
24:49
I wanted to be a part of that,
24:52
I have this knowledge and being able to create curriculum,
24:56
teach it, implement it,
24:58
and understand the unique challenges that community members that have experienced transition
25:04
through prison system back into wanting to,
25:07
you know, recreate their lives and what that means financially,
25:11
it was such an honor being able to curate this
25:13
curriculum for specifically homeboy,
25:16
and it went so well at their adult.
25:18
Site that currently I'm with the youth site teaching 16 to 18
25:22
year olds so it's like kind of full circle going back into
25:24
like this youth adolescent it's the word of the hour I yeah
25:31
yeah I can't I can't with adolescent young people,
25:33
young people with homeboy industries,
25:35
it's it's, it's really inspiring and exciting to be a
25:39
part of it and I feel like that's a collaborative conversation we're
25:42
having earlier like again you bring in the The right players,
25:46
again, different people from different backgrounds to help with the whole
25:48
mission and you see like the results,
25:51
right? Again, you start with the adults,
25:52
not with the adolescents,
25:55
the younger the younger,
25:57
you know, the younger kids,
25:58
and you're like, Oh shit.
26:00
Again, we're covering so much ground here because we're all coming
26:03
together and it's not just like a one man show.
26:07
what do they do now?
26:07
They do media, right?
26:09
I shared my first red carpet like a couple weeks ago,
26:12
was so hyped to see them on there.
26:15
They were so kind to me,
26:16
and they were asking me for like,
26:18
oh my God, you're so comfortable.
26:19
Gave them all the tips.
26:20
I want, they want me to go visit.
26:25
I, we need you on these carpets.
26:27
We need you in these spaces.
26:29
Again, like you said,
26:30
to see what they've grown to,
26:31
it's just Father Greg has,
26:34
he's incredible so much meaning.
26:36
The city of Los Angeles,
26:38
and I feel that even with the courses that I was teaching
26:41
it's like the class would get packed.
26:44
Everyone came with questions,
26:45
the engagement was there.
26:46
So again, another testament to the fact that our community needs
26:50
and wants and deserves this information.
26:53
And for me being able to teach it is like my act
26:55
of resistance. The more we know as a community,
26:58
the more empowered we are as a community,
27:00
the more we're less to be,
27:03
victimized or, you know.
27:06
Yeah. Whatever we want to say about that.
27:08
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
27:11
And I feel like that goes to my next question.
27:13
So obviously about learning and putting people on,
27:15
you have a Hustle and Heart Collective,
27:17
and there's a summit I heard in the works happening very soon
27:21
What can you share about that?
27:22
So our summit is set for September.
27:24
We have a lot of exciting,
27:27
things that are coming up that we're going to be sharing really
27:29
soon., last year we had 300 folks who were
27:33
looking to double the size to 600,
27:36
and we're going to have a lot of,
27:38
main stage activations,
27:40
including opportunities to learn about what they call procurement.
27:44
So right now a lot of small businesses are feeling like they
27:46
got left out of FIFA and some of the.
27:50
Opportunities to participate in World Cup.
27:53
So we're trying to get ahead of the Olympics this time around
27:55
So teaching small businesses how to get registered and prepared so
27:59
that when the Olympics do come to Los Angeles,
28:02
we're ready to get them those contracts that can take their business
28:07
So that's something really exciting.
28:09
and me too is coming in as our official media
28:14
partner, and we're gonna have a me too lounge with breakout
28:17
sessions that are specific to content creators,
28:21
creatives, folks in fashion,
28:22
so lots of really exciting upgrades to what we did last year
28:26
I love to hear that.
28:29
especially as an Angeleno.
28:31
I, listen, I'm not a small business owner,
28:33
but I can feel it for them.
28:35
It feels like the World Cup and small business owners was sort
28:39
of an afterthought for some city officials,
28:43
which is unfortunate because it is such a pivotal and
28:46
important opportunity. So,
28:49
how are you making this World Cup a moment for your community
28:54
So you know I'm blessed to have the space Nativo in
28:56
Highland Park. So we're gonna be activating it again in partnership
29:00
with Me Too and doing a lot of really cool activations.
29:04
So we're kicking the month off with a fashion show which is
29:07
gonna really amplify what being Latino in Los Angeles,
29:12
so we're calling it Latinidad with a capital L.
29:14
I, I just feel that,
29:17
you know, for a lot of us,
29:18
we grew up with World Cup culture,
29:20
and we are at the forefront of soccer fashion,
29:24
and so that should be celebrated,
29:26
especially in such a historic moment when the World Cup for one
29:31
time in our lifetime comes to Los Angeles.
29:36
Making more noise about it and so we're like,
29:38
you know what, let's partner up and really feature some of
29:40
the coolest brands that are out there representing Latinos in Los Angeles
29:46
with soccer culture. So we're going to be hosting that on
29:49
Sunday, June 7th at Nativo and stay tuned for more details
29:55
So we're posting about that and I like World Cup fashion
29:58
Not that I dress it up,
29:59
but like, you know what,
30:00
it's a special occasion.
30:01
I would throw on a Mexico jersey or a Chivas jersey.
30:04
I'm sure my wife doesn't like it,
30:05
but hey, it's fashion,
30:06
right? My favorite content right now is how creative people are
30:10
getting with their jobs.
30:11
I mean, your jersey too is gorgeous right now from Plata
30:14
Which is going to be one of our feature stylist.
30:17
They have a lot of really cool jerseys out there that they've
30:21
just been refurbishing and adding their special touch to.
30:24
Just so much creativity and individuality,
30:27
which is what I love,
30:30
and it's all at Nativo this summer.
30:33
Because they may have made the World Cup,
30:35
not us, people on top somewhere else,
30:38
made the World Cup impossible for certain,
30:41
it's inaccessible. It feels like almost when it's in our backyard
30:45
You would have thought it would have been a little.
30:48
Community driven, but this is the community right here.
30:53
But that's not it though,
30:54
because we have the fashion show Perotin watch party.
30:57
So if you want to with the for Madre,
31:00
you want to have a good time,
31:01
pull up because when it's so the first two days,
31:04
the first two matches in Mexico,
31:05
June 11th, June 12th watch party on a T.
31:08
Yes, absolutely. So June 11th is the official kickoff.
31:11
Which is taking place in Mexico,
31:13
which is Mexico versus South Africa,
31:18
I might be wrong about who it is.
31:20
People are scared and I'm like,
31:23
I'm scared of anybody we face because I feel like they always
31:25
drop the ball. So Mexico's game 11,
31:28
yeah, watch party at Nativo.
31:30
We have the pre pre-party,
31:33
post-party, watch the game.
31:35
then on June 12th we're doing the kickoff game for
31:39
the first game that's taking place in Los Angeles,
31:42
and that's USA versus Paraguaay.
31:44
we're incorporating some street activation that will lead into Nativo
31:49
so a lot of really cool stuff happening that day that
31:53
we'll be announcing very soon.
31:55
And then we also have our soccer Sunday brunch party.
31:59
So every Sunday we will be doing a brunch party around soccer
32:04
featuring a pop-up stairway to pizza.
32:07
We're going to have DJs.
32:09
It's just all the brunchy vibes to make it a fun,
32:13
Domingo. You're gonna have to drag my tias out
32:22
They love going for a little drink at the bar and then
32:24
suddenly my tinos are sent home because they're like,
32:27
it's too late, and my tias are like,
32:28
we're still going. Yeah,
32:30
and I think it's important to have like these safe spaces where
32:35
I feel like sports bars can be very broy,
32:37
but here we bring not just Latinidad but also safe spaces for
32:41
the girls and the gays to enjoy soccer culture and something.
32:45
As familiar as brunch is for us,
32:47
so we're going to do a lot of cocktails that are centered
32:50
around some of our favorite soccer icons.
32:57
you know, Marlene is my beverage director,
32:59
and she's been putting her heart and soul into like creating some
33:05
soccer icon. So I know there's a milk punch in there
33:08
I'm like a fan of her milk punches,
33:10
so that's something and a spritz,
33:13
soto spritz. So yeah,
33:15
some fun stuff coming,
33:17
coming down the pipeline is put your OOO in if you work
33:21
any of those days or find a way to be outside because
33:25
we are outside this summer,
33:27
literally we are outside.
33:28
It's a full blown patio.
33:31
People are going to have FOMO,
33:32
they don't pull up because honestly,
33:35
I don't want to watch at home.
33:35
Solito again, sometimes,
33:37
maybe, sure, if it's a random game,
33:38
Pero, if it's like Mexico,
33:39
if it's USA, Brazil,
33:41
Colombia, like I want to be in the ambiente.
33:43
I want to be with everybody,
33:44
so I'm looking forward,
33:45
and wait, as a parent,
33:47
kids are allowed, right,
33:47
because I've taken my kids to Lativo and she loved it.
33:49
She loved the chicken fingers.
33:52
a little spicy. I'm like,
33:54
whatever. Work on that.
33:58
so kids are allowed for that too because I want
33:59
her. I got her a little jersey,
34:02
So kids, everyone is family friendly.
34:04
So yeah, bring the kids,
34:06
you know, bring the abuelas.
34:07
We're going to have a good time.
34:09
Lastia depression, dude,
34:12
they're a good vibe are sick.
34:15
are, they're plugged in.
34:19
And then for any of the events,
34:20
is there any kind of like signups or do we just arrive
34:24
so you could just arrive for the fashion show
34:25
first serve fashion show,
34:30
but we will be opening a few seats for the public and
34:33
we will be announcing that very soon.
34:36
What's Nativo's address just in case 5137 York Boulevard,
34:44
42. So what you're going to do is you're gonna,
34:46
you're going to write that down.
34:47
You're going to put it in your Uber app and you're going
34:49
to schedule your ride for the dates we just talked about.
34:53
And just follow that and obviously me believe you're not following us
34:54
as well. That way you guys to stay up to date
34:56
with any updates, any,
34:58
hey, yo, we know we're doing weekends,
35:00
but there's this really cool game happening on a Thursday.
35:04
who knows? It might be those like random like little watch
35:06
parties that might not be as extravagant,
35:08
maybe a little more intimate,
35:09
but if you're You're down.
35:10
I'm down to pull up and watch a game.
35:12
You have a cool projector.
35:15
Just get there. You'll have fun.
35:16
Cool. Oh, this was so much fun.
35:19
I genuinely can't wait.
35:21
I'm so excited. Bring your fun jerseys.
35:26
That was good to connect because obviously I've been to Nativo a
35:29
handful of times and I've seen you around,
35:31
but like it's always been in passing.
35:32
Oh, hey, how are you?
35:33
I like to actually sit down and hear more from you and
35:36
Hear about all the cool stuff and great stuff you're doing for
35:38
the community and for Latinos.
35:41
it's inspiring. LA needs you and appreciates you.
35:46
Thank you. Thank you.
35:48
It was such a pleasure.
35:49
Where can people follow you?
35:51
At Corissa Hernandez on Instagram.
35:54
If you're trying to keep up with Hustle Heart,
35:56
it's at Hustle Heart Collective HLP for Highland Park,
36:02
not to be mistaken with HP Highland OK got you.
36:10
well, we do end each episode,
36:14
to honor mi gente Latino with a little mi gente
36:16
Latino chant. So on the count of 3,
36:19
we'll just throw a fist up and mi gente Latino,
36:22
OK, I've never done this before.
36:28
mi gente Latino. Alright,
36:36
We're here for another episode of Mi Gente Latino.
36:38
I think this is my first intro ever.
36:40
How was it? I went into it?
36:40
How was it? It was smooth.
36:43
It was smooth. It sounds like you practiced in the shower
36:48
I threw this jersey on and did practice some lines,
36:50
but,, this is my first soccer jersey,
36:54
chat. Yeah, I put it on for the Cairo.
36:57
Coachella, this is my Carol G jersey.
36:59
Wait, so that's your first jersey,
37:00
and I have some questions.
37:02
You guys have been wearing jerseys your whole life.
37:04
What's up with this little grajito I have?
37:06
Like a grajito. Like,
37:09
oh yo, I get in there and I'm like,
37:11
Yo, it smells like I played 4 soccer games.
37:14
I was waiting for you to mention it because you can smell
37:20
There's no way they smell,
37:21
dude. That's the thing.
37:22
I don't know. It's the material.
37:25
It captures all my grajo.
37:27
I think this is an important conversation to have because we've got
37:30
a World Cup summer ahead,
37:31
World Cup and summer jerseys and summer.
37:36
I don't know about you,
37:37
but every time I'm in a jersey or I'm around people with
37:40
a jersey, there's a smell.
37:42
I wonder why is the material like that if it's it's supposed
37:45
to like the athletes are funny enough,
37:47
OK, the thing is there's two different versions.
37:51
There's replicas, and I think yours might be a replica because
37:54
of the sticker, the embroidered logo.
37:59
So he's calling you out.
38:02
but I'm saying is that to the point of breathability.
38:05
This is the on field,
38:06
which is what the players wear,
38:07
and I bought it for that reason,
38:09
but Iress, but it still smells,
38:12
if I worked out in this right now,
38:14
you're cooked, burn this shit.
38:20
it's a good material.
38:22
But OK, so your point is ahead of the World Cup
38:24
guys, make sure you carry your deodorant everywhere because reapply
38:27
The little mini I'm not bugging.
38:29
No, I don't want to check it.
38:31
I don't want to make sure you carry your Dove deodorant.
38:34
I'm just kidding. No,
38:35
I like the mini spray that we have at Coachella.
38:37
The mini sprays, the spray.
38:39
We can bring aerosols.
38:41
No, I mean we got it in in Coachella,
38:42
dude. I'll go spray people.
38:45
We should spray people around with all the jerseys.
38:47
Ask for the sobacos Dove.
38:52
Let's go. So they did at the sweat tour.
38:58
make sure they're nice and washed.
39:00
Oh, you don't wash those every time you wear them,
39:02
No, you do because you fucking smell.
39:05
yeah. This is something that I don't think I can have
39:07
it in the room either.
39:09
Like I can't, it can't chill in the hamper.
39:11
It needs to get washed and fold it right back in my
39:13
drawer. Exactly. And speaking of like sports and stuff,
39:20
So you're a Knicks fan.
39:25
no, no. I'll keep it a buck here.
39:26
I gotta leave it all out.
39:27
I was a Paul Pierce fan growing up.
39:29
Paul Pierce played for the Celtics,
39:32
so when I got into basketball and all that,
39:34
like, obviously I grew up watching the Knicks,
39:36
but I was more of a Paul Pierce fan,
39:37
so I kept up with Boston.
39:39
But that doesn't take away from the fact that they haven't been
39:42
to the finals since 1999.
39:47
And I'm telling you,
39:48
I've been to World Series parades.
39:50
I feel I've been to Super Bowl parades with the Giants.
39:55
The last time they won was 173.
39:57
I don't even think my mom was born.
39:58
No, my mom was like 2,
40:00
so I don't think the city could handle.
40:02
I don't know what's going to happen.
40:03
It's going into shambles right now.
40:05
Do you see what's happening?
40:06
I wanna fly in for it,
40:08
The last, the last clip.
40:10
Clip of the side talk clip that I talked about.
40:12
The guy says, we're gonna burned the city down,
40:14
and that's where it ends.
40:16
you've seen Bane. You've seen Dark Knight when Bain has all
40:20
That's how they were lined up outside of MSG.
40:22
I used to think I loved the Eagles,
40:24
and I think I love the Knicks more.
40:26
But also, why burning the city down?
40:28
Don't you want to like live in the city you just wouldn't
40:31
Like, what's the mentality?
40:32
Yeah, because that happens here too,
40:34
remember. I want to freaking like set cars on fire,
40:39
not me, but like other people.
40:41
But they're either going to have to get through OKC or the
40:43
Spurs, dude, honestly,
40:46
the West, that's why I'm like,
40:49
we have to celebrate even going to the finals because even going
40:52
is a thing. So whether they win or lose,
40:55
I feel like even winning one game,
40:57
the city might explode.
40:58
But you're not a Knicks fan.
41:01
He's a New York fan.
41:02
There you go. I'm rooting for them.
41:03
I want to see the city turn up,
41:06
because that turn up has never happened.
41:09
I will 100% fly in and 100% get into something out there
41:14
What's into something?
41:17
I go to central bookings.
41:18
I don't know central bookings,
41:20
don't say that. But,
41:25
that's crazy. Hopefully I get to fly in.
41:27
I wanna, I really want to go.
41:29
It's gonna go. I really want to be there.
41:30
It's gonna go into the timing of the World Cup,
41:32
so that's cool. That's incredible.
41:35
Yeah, that's a lot going on if needed,
41:38
right? The game or something if that needed,
41:40
if needed, like there's potential,
41:42
right, which to me sounds like.
41:47
Just think, just reggae,
41:48
bro. International travelers all over the city,
41:53
some staying in Jersey,
41:54
some staying in New York,
41:56
some just stopping by,
41:57
going to Toronto. Like that sounds incredible,
42:01
just peak summer vibes.
42:03
I'm rooting for New York,
42:05
me too. They've had a really good like.
42:08
Like,, lead up with the Cavaliers,
42:11
I mean they won by how much?
42:13
I mean, I saw a tweet where they said,
42:15
you know, behind every team there's a Dominican behind it,
42:18
right? If you want your team to win,
42:20
you gotta get a Dominican on a Dominican?
42:22
What is it Carl Anthony Towns.
42:24
You guys are so good at sports.
42:26
Kat's mom, Kat's mom is Dominican and the papa is,
42:31
Yeah, what the fuck,
42:32
what's wrong with you?
42:33
I don't know. You guys are so good at baseball.
42:36
You guys are so good at,
42:37
at sports. Is it not to like.
42:41
Say that you're not good at soccer,
42:42
but is there soccer in the Dominican Republic?
42:44
I feel like it's starting.
42:45
I feel like there's some kids that,
42:47
that have moved to like Madrid,
42:49
Caso Dominicano, and have gone to like Europe and played or
42:52
they're half half. And yeah,
42:54
I feel like in the next maybe like 15 years their soccer
42:58
program, I don't think we'll go to like FIFA or something
43:01
no, no, you'd be surprised.
43:04
bet. Maybe all the attention is in baseball.
43:06
They in a little bit,
43:07
yeah, maybe in the next decade I feel like maybe the
43:09
team can go. Like some.
43:11
Here's the thing. DR is hyper invested in,
43:15
in baseball at the moment.
43:17
The moment resources are allocated towards kids who want to practice soccer
43:23
who want to practice American football,
43:24
it's the same thing we see in women's sports.
43:28
Western media not give two shits about women who liked playing sports
43:34
until like recently. Finally we're good at sports.
43:38
No, we've always been good.
43:40
You just didn't pay attention until yesterday.
43:43
So that's the same thing with social media has been helping a
43:47
right, because social media brings eyes that you can.
43:51
Get not relying on Fox Sports reporting on this game coverage.
44:00
Shout out to Caitlin Clark,
44:01
man. You made me like $50 when I was back home
44:03
I'll be betting on her.
44:05
She'd be coming through,
44:06
bro, like hitting them shots.
44:10
we haven't spoken about J.Lo. We met,
44:12
we met the Bronx Queen.
44:15
All right, so what happened last night?
44:16
Because you guys went to a red carpet and I haven't taken
44:18
it off for what is it?
44:20
It was for Office romance.
44:23
Wait, so whose movie is this?
44:25
Jennifer Lopez. Before we get in,
44:28
can we actually rate,
44:31
we say our favorite rom-com,
44:32
J.Lo rom-com? I already got mine in my head.
44:36
I know which one it is.
44:37
Maid in Manhattan. Me too.
44:40
I love Me Manhattan.
44:41
Yo, it's been 25 years since that movie.
44:43
Oh really? That's what the KTLA guy next to me was
44:46
saying. He was going in with that one.
44:49
you're putting an age to this,
44:52
how about you, Danny?
44:53
Yeah, I like Maid in Manhattan.
44:54
That one too. All right.
44:56
What was another? What was another one that I'm so bad
44:57
with Monster. Monster in Law was good.
45:02
Yeah, Monster in Law was funny.
45:03
I'm not a rocker enough.
45:05
I like her beating people up.
45:06
what's the one where she was a taking and Aconda 2 was
45:09
not bad. Money Money Train,
45:12
You remember Money Train.
45:14
I think she's in that movie.
45:15
The library is deep,
45:16
but yeah, so we ran,
45:17
we, we took the migente Latino candle to the red,
45:23
and,, we had white carpet,
45:27
shout out to Mama bear hold it up,
45:30
bro, and relive that moment.
45:32
Danny brought up the migente Latino moment for her,
45:38
I was scared. You were scared of JL,
45:40
yeah, I just saw her from the end of the white
45:43
carpet. And I was just like,
45:44
Yo, the people fixing your hair,
45:46
getting ready. First of all,
45:47
she had her back to us.
45:48
So it was like a big turnaround.
45:49
Well, she's talking.
45:51
I know, but not in a bad way.
45:52
Don't make up stories here.
45:53
I'm saying she did like a big review and I was like
45:55
Oh shit, you go like it's her.
45:57
She's here. Oh dang,
45:59
it's DJ though. Yeah,
46:00
and the crowd goes quiet.
46:03
It just was like a moment,
46:06
but of course with such a high profile individual with
46:09
so many eyes, there are nerves that come with it,
46:12
and all you do is treat.
46:15
All these celebrities like a human because they are humans to be
46:20
respectful, to do your job and to,
46:23
to elevate them for doing their job.
46:27
we want to thank Carrissa once more for joining us,
46:31
sorry, see, I haven't caught myself.
46:32
But Cissa joins us on the show.
46:34
Thanks so much for stopping by.
46:37
make sure Follow her.
46:37
Check out all her her initiatives and her socials that we
46:40
can be up to date with anything that's kind of going on
46:43
the pipeline. So the watch parties,
46:46
the fashion show in the summit.
46:48
But anything else you guys want to say before we get out
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