Tell us a little about your business. – Center Sphere is a powerful network of business owners and professionals built on authentic relationships, real connections and mutual support. As Director of Center Sphere en Español, my mission is to open this network to the Spanish-speaking community, providing a professional space where entrepreneurs and leaders can connect, collaborate and grow. It’s not about showing up—it’s about truly belonging, sharing resources and lifting each other as we grow.

How did you get started in the business? – I fell in love with networking a long time ago, yet most recently, I experienced the direct impact it had on my own business, The Back Nine Indoor Golf. My growth didn’t come from ads or luck—it came from people. Through Center Sphere, my indoor golf business grew exponentially, not just in revenue but in exposure, referrals, credibility and partnerships. I realized this wasn’t something I should just benefit from personally… it was something I needed to help deliver to an entire community that deserves equal access to opportunity.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – For a long time, I thought the more I studied, the harder I worked, the more I controlled, the better the outcomes would be. The truth came slowly but clearly: leadership isn’t doing everything—it’s doing the right things with the right people. Once I embraced that, every part of my professional world changed.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Becoming a bridge. Not just growing my own business, but creating a pathway for so many others to gain visibility, grow confidently and connect intentionally. Being entrusted by Center Sphere to represent and develop the Spanish-speaking market is more than a title—it’s a movement.

Tell us a little about your family. – My family is my why, my support and my inspiration. We have so much fun together and I learn from them every day. They ground me, remind me who I am and push me to keep going.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The day I realized that growing a business isn’t selling—it’s connecting. It’s a relationship before transaction, service before spotlight and collaboration over competition. That mindset shift changed both my business and my purpose.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Make a home-cooked meal for the people I love.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Real estate development. I’ve always admired real estate not just as an investment, but as a force that shap es neighborhoods, strengthens communities and drives local growth.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – The Latino Economic Development Council—where I serve on the Board of Trustees. I believe deeply in equitable access, economic empowerment, and supporting Latino entrepreneurs with tools and a community that creates generational change.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Mother Teresa. I’d love to hear her perspective on service, compassion, and creating a lasting impact on the world through kindness and dedication.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – mercedes@centersphere.com.