OPINION

I am a Latina entrepreneur. I have worked most of my life in television, but I have made most of my money in real estate. That is why I always tell women: "Follow your bliss with a back-up position." My mission now is to help empower Latinas around entrepreneurship, which for so many of us is a perfect way to help our families and ourselves. And Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to get started.

That is why I started the Adelante Movement, to empower Latinas, who are the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the country. I am a mom, and even though many people see me as a success, I've failed more times than I've succeeded. It is okay. I see my failures as opportunities, and I have pushed myself to reach beyond my fears toward my dreams, even in the face of adversity.

Many Latinas want to succeed as entrepreneurs, but they don't necessarily have all the tools and information, and the way many of us were raised, we don't know where to turn to get the information. We feel like somebody has to invite us in or we are embarrassed to ask for a seat at the table. What I decided to do with Adelante is to teach Latinas how to work smart and not hard. That means really understanding that we're out there starting businesses, but we're going about it the old fashioned way, which is working very hard and trying to figure it out. We need to ask ourselves: "How do I do this in a smarter way?"

I think it's important to show Latinas how they can partner with other women who have already done it. Currently, if you're Latina you should know that many U.S. government earmarked opportunities are based on population growth, so right now, many government contracts and small business loans are earmarked for Latinas. But many of us do not apply for them. I want to change that! I want us to apply and I want us to have the right infrastructure, staff and partnerships to make sure we succeed when we get them.

They key to making money now and in the future is to be in emerging businesses in emerging markets. Right now, the internet is a business to make money. Real estate is an ever-growing business to make money. I advise Latinas to go after emerging businesses and take your business and sell to emerging markets. Let's start by selling to each other!

The Adelante Movement for me has been about timing in life. I was at a point in my life where I had taken a sabbatical and gone back to school. I realized there was something I had to offer my community.

I want Latinas to get to the point where we work because we want to, not because we have to, and The Adelante Movement is here to help us figure it out. Now. Here. Go Adelante!

Nely Galán is a media and television producer and the founder of The Adelante Movement.