Today we’d like to introduce you to Coppelia Acevedo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been working in radio for over 20 years and I started with a part-time job in college. Before that, when I was in high school, my church youth group would take some of us teens to do a LIVE radio talk show, so I guess you could say that was my official start!
Radio was a lot of fun and I never in a million years imagined that I’d end up doing that for a living. It’s STILL a lot of fun! I’m currently the Midday Show host at a local Houston Christian hip hop radio station. Looking back, it’s easy to see that God definitely had a plan!
Along the way, I’ve also been able to use my life-long passions in music and writing. I’ve been blessed to sing and lead worship in churches in Puerto Rico, California and Texas. I’ve traveled the country as a singer with a prison ministry. I’ve lived out my dream to do musical theatre, maybe not on Broadway, but local community theatres. I was even able to play the role of a lifetime: Maria in The Sound of Music! I’m still in shock over that one! Only God!
And since I was a kid, I always enjoyed writing. It’s no surprise that I still express myself in writing through my blog and social media. I’ve self-published a Bible devotional, “Whole” and my first blogging ebook came out this year: “How I Made My First $1,000 Blogging.”
I wouldn’t be enjoying life this much if I didn’t have my amazing, supportive husband, Adam, by my side; and our two awesome, happy kids, who make life an adventure every single day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a roller coaster! I went from barely making $20k a year to three times and some change in one job change! Talk about a miracle! It came with a relocation from Puerto Rico to California. I left all I’d ever known, family, friends and our first home, but my husband and I truly felt peace that it was a decision God was leading us to make. I look back and I STILL can’t believe everything God has done in my life.
I didn’t think I was qualified for that dream miracle job. My hubby and a few others encouraged me to apply because I wasn’t going to. And it took me forever to send the first follow up email! After that, every phone call and communication leading up to the job offer felt like God was confirming that direction. He even put people in my life, like my sister’s best friend that she met in Nashville who just so happened to be from a town 30 minutes from where my Cali job would be! I met the best friend’s family at my sister wedding the same month that I got the offer letter! I know some people say those are coincidences, but I truly believe God was at work in every little detail.
California was a roller coaster in and of itself. I was pregnant when I moved and started the new job. I had my first baby and I think I may have had a bit of post-partum blues (if not depression). I struggled with being a new working mom while all (no joke, ALL) my close mom friends were stay at home moms. I got a demotion at work. I trusted God and he provided a new place to live that we could afford. One year later, I got a NEW promotion to an even BETTER situation! (Believe me, trusting God is always a good idea, even when it doesn’t make sense.)
The invitation to move to Texas came at just the right time. My son was about to start kindergarten and my daughter was still a baby. We LOVED the Golden State and did NOT want to leave, but again, the more we prayed about it, the more we knew this was a door God was opening for our family.
If I’ve learned something the older I get, through my 20s, 30s and now just starting my 40s, is that we are learning and changing in each season. I was learning to improve my craft in my 20s (and I still love learning more about radio and blogging!) I was learning to balance work and family in my 30s (very, very imperfectly), and it’s definitely a work in progress. I still cry in frustration some times when I feel like a failure. I turn to encouragement in books, podcasts, family and friends. I discover that I’m not alone. And neither are YOU!
Just as I keep learning and changing, you have the same opportunity, no matter where you are in life. If you are just starting out or are frustrated with where you are, we’re still here! God still has a plan! And one of my favorite verses in the Bible is my life verse: Philippians 1:6. It says that we can be confident of this “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Please tell us about www.CoppeliaMarie.com.
I’m a bilingual multi-media communicator with over 20 years of experience. I currently work full time as a radio personality. I also blog about family, faith and fun with latina flavor at www.coppeliamarie.com. I’ve recently started teaching blogging classes, helping new bloggers learn how to make money blogging. And I’m passionate about Jesus! Our family is very involved in church, and I love that I have the opportunity to sing and lead worship at my church. I also love singing at other churches and speaking at women’s events.
My “tag line” is Laughing Through Life and I chose it because I’ve had many people thru the years comment that my joy and laughter are so contagious and genuine. What a compliment! Laughter is healing and I’m thankful that I grew up in a very happy (albeit dysfunctional) family!) HA! At least we knew how to laugh!
I’m not a comedian (I’ll leave that to my sister!) But I do love to infuse everything I do with humor and fun, at home and at work. I believe that’s one of those things that sets me apart. And I believe it’s “the joy of the Lord” that is my strength; that helps me get thru the ups and downs of life and still be able to smile … or chuckle … or snort! Lol!
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I saw my mom working HARD my whole life. She was a full time teacher, plus she taught guitar lessons after school, launched her own successful business teaching Lamaze classes (childbirth education), and appeared on radio, TV and in magazines as an expert in that field. She was also very involved in church. I have learned a lot from watching her hustle and be an influencer before those became buzzwords. She spoke up, knocked on doors and pushed my sister, brother and I to always do our best. She saw that we had talent(s) and she was not about to allow us to waste them.
My dad, being more of a silent type, has encouraged me through quiet, but deep wisdom. He’s legally blind and I remember a HUGE impact my dad made on me through a job he had as a peer counselor with an Independent Living Center that helps empower people with special needs too, as the name says, live independently. My dad was talking with a guy in a wheelchair who spoke in a way that was a bit difficult to understand. Somehow, my dad knew his language! They had a whole conversation, were laughing and joking with each other and I stood there, taking it all in. I asked my dad about that later and he said that, while his speech is impaired, his mind is not. You just have to really pay attention. Wow. That’s life advice if we ever needed it.
Both of my parents taught me to love and follow Jesus, and that I’ve been given talents and abilities to use, not lose! We struggled a lot growing up in Puerto Rico. Finances were tight and there were other struggles we faced, including extended family members who struggled with addiction. But, I believe we all deal with family drama and dysfunction to some degree. And I’m thankful to have witnessed my parents not just live through it all, but raise three successful kids. We all give God all the glory and thanks because we know things could be very different without our faith in Him.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Coppeliamarie.com
- Email: coppelia@coppeliamarie.com
- Instagram: @Coppeliamarie
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/coppeliamarie
- Twitter: @coppeliamarie
- Other: Instagram.com/coppeliamarie
Image Credit:
Coppelia as Maria in The Sound of Music with Rocklin Community Theatre, Leading worship/singing at Sugar Creek Baptist Church en Español, My self-published book “Whole”, My ebook “How I Made My First $1k Blogging”, Recording video for Inspire Women, Teaching my blogging class at Thinking Boutique, Family movie night at a screening of Incredibles 2!, Home Shopping Party with Houston Latina Bloggers and Macy’s
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
