Meet Ana L. Flores

Editor's Note: Ana is a very influential person in my life. She is always there for me and I appreciate that, more than she knows. She's one of my "fairy blog-mothers."

Name: Ana L. Flores
Hometown: Live in Los Angeles, born in Houston, raised in El Salvador
College/University Attended: University of Florida
Profession/Career: TV Producer turned Blogger and Social Media Entrepreneur
Web site: http://SpanglishBaby.com http://latinabloggersconnect.com

Where were you born and where did you grow up for the most part of your life?

I was born in Houston, TX to parents from El Salvador. My mom, my sister and I moved back to El Salvador when I was six years old, but travelled to Houston to visit my father every year. I truly grew up bicultural.

What (if any) adversaries or discouragements did you face growing up?

I grew up in El Salvador during the years of their bloodiest civil war. It ended a year after I moved to the US for college. I was blessed because I was never directly affected by the war, but I grew up knowing that there are several realities for the same story.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you "grew up?"

I seriously didn't have a clue until I got to attend a live TV show with Menudo (I was a die-hard fan) and noticed the ladies walking around with headsets and making things happen. In that moment I realized there was a profession for the people that made TV happen. That's when I knew I wanted to be a TV Producer and Content Creator.

What has been the "proudest" moment in your life"

I will sound totally cliché, but it definitely is the day I delivered my only child. Nothing prepares you for the joy of that moment and the accomplishment that follows after you create life. My proudest career moment was the day we launched SpanglishBaby. Seeing your vision and hard work up and getting immediate feedback and a connection to it is so fulfilling.

What does being a Latina woman mean to you?

It means I can effortlessly live and move in two cultures and two languages. It means I have a special bond and connection with an hermandad of women who share my heritage.

What advice do you have for today's young Latinas?

To focus and what makes them passionate and work very hard on it. To build upon the positive and not the negative stereotypes or expectations of our ethnic background. To connect with role models and mentors that can open doors for them.

What Latina in your life has been a major inspiration and role model?

This is a tough one because I rarely look up to the standard public figure role models for my day to day inspiration. I emulate those strong women, Latina or not, around me that remain kind, giving and authentic through their process of personal and professional growth. I´ve been lucky to have had many mentors during my career in television that led by example.

What is your favorite quote or saying that you live by in life?

No hay mal que por bien no venga.

If there was one experience in your life that you could do over, what is it and what would it be?

I was offered my dream job at Univision straight out of college. It was a dream come true, except for the fact that I had also been accepted to continue my French language and culture studies in La Sorbonne in Paris. I had to make a tough choice and decided to go after my dream career. I´ve always wondered what my life would look like now if I had gone to Paris. C´est la vie!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In Paris!