Influential Woman · Travel Marketing
Monica Espitia
Owner, OyeMoni Livin'
Miami, FL
Her Story
About Monica
Monica Espitia is the owner-founder of Oyemoni Livin, a company she recently launched in Costa Rica to serve solo female travelers by offering them a soft landing and opportunities for adventure and reset. After a long career in activism, including roles as an organizer, campaign director, and field organizing director at the ACLU of Florida, where she contributed to the successful Voting Rights Restoration Amendment campaign and received recognition for collecting petition signatures, Espitia transitioned to travel marketing. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Florida, along with a mediation certification, facilitation training, and certification to provide Know Your Rights trainings. Espitia attributes her success to remaining authentic and pursuing work that aligns with her values of integrity, kindness, and compassion, while advising others to advocate for themselves and stay true to their own sensibilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think, for me, it's being authentic to who I am, and to my own sensibilities, so when I did social justice work, it was obviously that was like my moral compass, and then this is a different type of passion project, just wanting more women to be empowered. So I tend to do things that make my soul sing. It's not hard when you're doing things with your heart.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I had a manager one time tell me that if you can't advocate for yourself, then how can you advocate for others? And that's always stuck with me. Kind of like the idea of being like you have to stand strong for you in order to link arms with other people.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you can't advocate for yourself, how can you advocate for others? And also, I think that one of the most powerful things that we can be as women is just authentic. And I think that that's as I'm building my brand... It's listening to your heart, it's listening to your gut. And know that you have a place in the business of your choosing. And just stay true to you. Sometimes we're looking into like, oh, what will people like? Well, what do you like? You can start there.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I'd say challenges is how do I launch this, and how do I do this in a way that's authentic to me? The truth is that I don't want to be a content creator. And it seems like that's the marketing path that most people try to take, and so while it's obviously a necessity, I'm also trying to figure out how I remain grounded in building relationships. So the challenge is how to not run marketing the way that everybody else seems to be doing it. And then the other one is just tapping into the opportunity that I know is there.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. Kindness. Compassion.
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