Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Rivera.
Sonia Rivera has just recently come off the campaign trail, having ventured into seeking a leadership role in the political arena by running for Houston City Council At Large Position 5. Having worked behind the political scenes for many years, she became frustrated with the lack of proper representation and transparency in local government, she decided it was time to step out of the shadows and take action. Forever the optimist Sonia considers her bid for public office a great success!
The elections were held on November 5th, 2019, and culminated in Sonia coming in 3rd of 9 candidates with a political budget of less than $10,000.00. “I am very proud of the outcome, considering I had never run for office before and had a very grassroots campaign with very limited resources, This was a massive undertaking, and I am truly grateful for all the hard work and dedication of my campaign team!”
Sonia Rivera’s most recent opportunity is being selected to be the Executive Director for the Houston International Trade Development Council, an organization which focuses on being the conduit for businesses to gain knowledge and resources for international trade opportunities. Her new responsibilities will include coordinating International Trade Missions and gathering local resources and information to assist companies wishing to expand into international business ventures.
Sonia became a single mom at the age of 23, and not being a native Houstonian, found herself having to navigate life on her own. “I am very blessed and proud of my accomplishments, it hasn’t been an easy journey, I was a single working mom, and knew that if I wanted a better life, I was going to have to get an education, stay focused, and be strong, not only for myself but for my children..” Sonia attributes her success to many individuals the trailblazers who came before her, who laid the groundwork, who invested in her, mentored her, and promoted her, through the years. She tries to “pay it forward” by being a positive influence in the lives of others and staying involved in various organizations where she can give back what was given her.
Sonia Rivera spent the first 11 years of her career working within the nonprofit sector, managing and developing youth programs under the Health and Human Service umbrella, with high-risk youth populations providing Educational and Social Support Programs in the areas of Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Youth Homelessness, prior to forming her own corporation and nonprofit.
In 2008 and 2010 respectively she launched Genesis Consulting, the umbrella under which she operates Sonia Rivera USA Consulting, providing Small Businesses Development Strategies, and Youth Genesis, which focused on programs in Youth Leadership Development, Dropout Prevention, and a nonprofit; YGC Inc, which has produced Annual Youth Conferences, a Summer Arts Camp, and After-School Arts programs, in 2008, and 2010 respectively.
Sonia Rivera also served as the National President of The National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO). Sonia has actively served with numerous other community organizations through the years such as Hispanic Woman’s Network of Texas, previously served on the board of Hispanic Woman in Leadership, Talento Bilingue de Houston, Latino Learning Center, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Texas Association of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), and on the Houston Advisory Board Hispanic Scholarship Forum.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Sonia Rivera is a native of Michigan and has lived in the Houston area since the age of 19. She is the daughter of Mexican Immigrants who spent the early part of her life as migrant farmworkers and ultimately settled in the State of Michigan. Sonia had always dreamed of living in a big city, and struck out on her own right out of high school, moving to the Houston, TX area in search of pursuing higher education and opportunity.
She met and married shortly after arriving in Texas, and was filled with hope and promise of an amazing future, until the age of 23, she found herself to be a single mom, with no resources, no formal education, very few skills, and very few options. Sonia was committed to breaking the cycle of poverty that she had grown up in and determined to make a better life for her and her young child. She worked full time while attending college for the next ten years and raising her two children. Many hardships were endured during this time, but she and her children stuck together and became stronger individuals as a result, with a true understanding and appreciation for what it means to work hard to achieve your dreams, and never giving up.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about you and your career so far?
Sonia Rivera is the Owner and Principal Consultant at Sonia Rivera USA bringing 25 years of experience in providing small businesses with a broad range of business assessment services for purpose of creating comprehensive strategies to assist businesses to streamline operations, and set strategic goals for growth and success.
Business services range from:
* Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis,
* Marketing Services,
* Front/Back Office Operations Support,
* Staff Development, and Training,
* Developing Policies and Procedures,
* Project Management
* Contract Compliance Standards
Sonia has worked with companies ranging from Educational institutions, Professional Service Businesses, to Construction Companies.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is measured by achieving your individual’s goals. Savoring every accomplishment, no matter how small, learning lessons from my failures, One cannot compare their lives to the lives of others to measure their success, doing so will only cause disappointment. Every time I master something, I strive to achieve another level and just keep going. Success to me is also bringing others with me in my journey, empowering others, encouraging others, to set their own goals. I am where I am due in no small part for the people who believed in me and provided opportunity and strive to do the same for others.
Everyone’s level of success is unique to them. For every one of my accomplishments, I have also experienced countless disappointments, made sacrifices, and failed, only to pick myself back up, evaluate what I could do better, try again, and try harder. and pray! I could not be where I am today without perseverance and my strong faith in GOD.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soniarivera.us
- Phone: 832-408-1191
- Email: info@soniarivera.us
- Twitter: @soniariveraUS
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniariveraus/
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