Yudeimy "Amy" Valdes

I attribute my success to resilience, faith, and a willingness to take risks—even when I don't have all the answers. Throughout my journey, I've learned that growth rarely happens when everything feels certain. More often, it happens when you're willing to step forward despite fear, doubt, and uncertainty.

When I started Hollywood Career Institute, I had no background in healthcare. In fact, I often joke that I didn't even know where to order a needle. Many people questioned my decision. They asked why I would start a medical training school when I had no experience in the field and didn't even have a particular passion for medicine. But I chose to follow what was in my heart rather than the limitations others tried to place on me. I refused to let my circumstances, my fears, or the opinions of others determine what I was capable of achieving.

The journey was far from easy. There were countless moments of uncertainty, many tears shed alone in my car, and long nights wondering whether I was making the right decisions. Yet those moments taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: success is not about being perfect. It's about being resilient. It's about getting back up after setbacks, learning from mistakes, and continuing to move forward even when the path isn't clear.

I've learned that meaningful success requires courage. It demands that you take risks, work hard, and keep showing up even when things don't go according to plan. Every challenge I faced became an opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, and more determined.

My greatest inspiration has always been my mother. At just eighteen years old, she came to the United States from Cuba while six months pregnant with me. She didn't speak English, knew no one, and worked multiple jobs to provide for our family. She sacrificed endlessly and never allowed obstacles to define her future. She is a true warrior, and through her example, I learned what resilience, determination, and perseverance really look like. Even today, she continues to challenge and encourage me, always reminding me of the goals I've set and the promises I've made to myself.

Beyond my mother, I have been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors, educators, colleagues, and leaders throughout my career. Their guidance has helped shape my perspective and reinforced my belief that success is never achieved alone.

Above all, I believe we each have a responsibility to use our gifts, talents, and experiences to uplift others. Whether through education, mentorship, or leadership, my purpose is to help people recognize their potential and create opportunities for a better future. That mission continues to inspire and motivate me every single day.

Throughout my career, I've learned that you have to believe in yourself before the world believes in you. There will always be people who question your decisions, doubt your abilities, or tell you why something can't be done. When I started Hollywood Career Institute, I had no background in healthcare, and many people thought I was making a mistake. But I learned that sometimes you have to trust what's in your heart, take the risk, and move forward even when you don't have all the answers.

I have also been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors, educators, and leaders throughout my journey in workforce development, career training, and entrepreneurship. Their guidance reinforced one of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned: don't let your circumstances, your fears, or the opinions of others determine what you're capable of achieving.

Where you come from may shape part of your story, but it does not define your future. Your background can influence your journey, but it should never limit your potential. Success comes from having the courage to keep moving forward when the path isn't clear, trusting the process, and staying committed to your vision even when others don't see it yet.

With faith, resilience, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty, you can create opportunities far greater than you ever imagined possible.

My advice to young women is simple: believe in yourself before the world does.

There will be times when you share your dreams and even the people closest to you question them. Sometimes your biggest critics aren't strangers—they're the people who love you and want to protect you from failure. But you cannot allow your circumstances, your fears, or the opinions of others to determine what you're capable of achieving. At some point, you have to trust what's in your heart and move forward with conviction.

When I started Hollywood Career Institute, I had no background in healthcare. I didn't even particularly like medicine, and many people thought I was making a huge mistake. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. That experience taught me that your background may be part of your story, but it does not define your future.

I won't pretend the journey is easy. Entrepreneurship and leadership come with plenty of challenges, self-doubt, and moments when you wonder if you're making the right decisions. There were many days filled with uncertainty and more than a few tears along the way. But I've learned that success isn't about being perfect—it's about being resilient. It's about continuing to move forward, learning from setbacks, and refusing to give up when things don't go according to plan.

Most importantly, put your heart into everything you do. Treat people with kindness, respect, and empathy. At the end of the day, people may forget what you said or what you accomplished, but they will never forget how you made them feel. The ability to uplift others, build meaningful relationships, and lead with compassion is one of the greatest strengths you can develop—not only in business, but in life.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is workforce development and helping people transform their lives through education. Healthcare careers continue to be in high demand, and that became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. I remember a friend who owned a cosmetology school and had to shut down operations, while we remained open because healthcare workers were essential and desperately needed. That experience reinforced the critical role education plays in preparing people for meaningful careers that serve their communities.

I see tremendous opportunity in helping individuals who are underemployed, changing careers, or rebuilding their lives in a new country. Many of our students were nurses, physicians, or other professionals in their home countries but found themselves working in hotels or unrelated jobs after immigrating to the United States. Helping them become hemodialysis technicians, medical assistants, phlebotomists, or other healthcare professionals creates real economic mobility and can completely change the trajectory of a family's future. That is the kind of impact that inspires me every day.

To expand those opportunities even further, I am currently working on developing apprenticeship programs that provide additional pathways into healthcare careers. These programs will allow individuals to earn while they learn and create more accessible routes to long-term career success.

Another major opportunity I see is in mentorship and entrepreneurship education, particularly for women. There are countless resources, funding opportunities, and programs available to aspiring business owners, but many people simply don't know where to find them. I believe women have extraordinary potential as entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators. Often, what they need most is access to information, guidance, and someone who believes in their vision.

That belief is one of the reasons I wrote my book, Reset & Rise. I wanted to share the lessons I've learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey and provide encouragement for those who are trying to build something meaningful in their own lives and businesses.

The biggest challenge is that there never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything you want to do. But when you're passionate about your mission, you find a way to make time. My goal is to continue creating opportunities for people to transform their lives—whether through education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, or personal empowerment—and help them realize that their circumstances do not have to define their future.

The values that matter most to me are integrity, resilience, faith, compassion, and empathy. I believe that true success is not measured solely by accomplishments, but by the way you treat people and the impact you have on their lives. Success means very little if it isn't built on honesty, purpose, and a genuine commitment to helping others.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned through healthcare education is that technical skills alone are not enough. You can be the most knowledgeable nurse, physician, or healthcare professional, but without compassion and empathy, something essential is missing. That's a philosophy I carry into my work every day. Whether I'm supporting students, mentoring entrepreneurs, or leading an organization, I strive to guide people with understanding, encouragement, and respect. Sometimes I joke that I feel like everyone's mother because I genuinely care about helping people succeed.

Resilience is another value that has shaped my journey. Like anyone pursuing big goals, I've faced challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. What I've learned is that resilience isn't about never struggling—it's about continuing to move forward despite those struggles. Maintaining a positive mindset doesn't mean ignoring difficulties; it means finding the strength to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and learning.

I also believe we all have a responsibility to use our talents and experiences to uplift the people around us. Whether through education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, or community development, we have the ability to create opportunities that can change lives.

Above all, I try to remember a lesson that has guided me throughout my career: people may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Kindness, respect, and empathy are some of the most powerful tools we have. When we lead with compassion and genuinely care about others, we create a lasting impact that extends far beyond any professional achievement.