Supported by Texas Mutual Workers Compensation Insurance Company.

Hola, welcome to Salud celebrated South Texas Latina leaders.

I'm your host, Melanie Mendez Gonzalez.

Our leadership profiles on this episode show how growing your brand.

Stepping outside or stepping up to community involvement can lead to big results.

Salud!

Starts now.

If you were part of one of the city's legendary restaurant families, you might find it easy to just rest on the family name as a career.

But Carino Cortez, daughter of Jorge Cortez of Mi Tierra fame, didn't want to stop there from attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America.

She grew her brand to include cooking videos and running the family's Viva via taqueria restaurant.

Now, she owns and manages a group of eateries.

My name is Carino Cortez.

I'm a local San Antonio.

I'm a mom, a wife, a chef and an entrepreneur.

My dad's name was for Jorge Cortez and he was a local San Antonio and grew up in the restaurant industry.

My grandfather actually started Mi Tierra along with my grandmother.

We started in 1941, and then a few decades later we had la margarita, pico de gallo and then most recently, Mi familia at the Rim.

Our family history was a big part of where I got my values from, so we always lived by three pillars.

It was comida, cultura and familia.

So food really honoring our food, our culture, remembering our culture and our traditions and then family.

So whether it's your team members, coworkers, or actual family, it was kind of having those three things in mind as you go throughout your journey.

I grew up in San Antonio.

Grew up learning to love the city.

I went to college, actually, in West Texas, so I got my undergrad in accounting and management, and then I went to culinary school in New York.

I'm not sure what it was in May that decided that I need to go get this experience in this three Michelin star kitchen.

I think it was the fact that you know, we didn't have these back home.

And so I wanted to push myself into that experience, and I learned a lot through that.

Like, it was a very important part of the restaurant experience.

That was very challenging.

And, you know, the long hours and then learning a whole different cuisine.

So I had obviously come for Mexican food.

I knew a lot about that.

But French, Asian, a whole different world.

And so that was a huge opportunity at the Culinary Institute of America.

And I worked for a celebrity Michelin starred chef named Sean George at his flagship in Columbus Circle.

And when I was there, I knew I wanted to learn regional Mexican cuisine because I really always wondered, where did Tex-Mex come from?

And that was just such a big part of my history, both in San Antonio, understanding that food, but also the culture behind it.

Work for you back there.

That's working on pretty good right now.

So I worked for Rick Bayless for three years, while I was in Chicago and just had an amazing time.

You know, both of these chefs taught me a lot about leadership.

I think a lot of times you go into it thinking that it's the loudest person in the room or the strongest voice.

Sean George was very intentional with his words.

And then our chef de cuisine was very thoughtful about how he was training everyone.

He really poured into each and every cook.

Rick Bayless, he was an incredible leader as well.

He not only just had us cooking in the kitchen, he had class with us and every month we had class and learned about a different region in Mexico, the cuisine from that specific region, why it was there, the history behind it.

So I learned what my style was when I was going into a new place.

So it was obviously a very strict kitchen.

They had people try out.

They'd had them do a stage to, to even earn a place as an intern there.

And so you spent 24 hours shadowing other cooks, just doing whatever they asked.

By the end of the day, I was invited back.

And then after I started, all of the interns started in the casual dining room about a week after my first, few days on on the chefs, me chef de cuisine calls me, and he had told me he actually wanted to promote me to to the fine dining room, the three Michelin star dining room.

Growing up in San Antonio, I think we always saw, you know, my family or my dad in particular, dreaming things from being very young age.

One of my first memories is walking in.

My dad left to paint and he was painting on this canvas and he was telling us about this playground he wanted to put downtown in Highland Park, and how he wanted to have a mural on the side of the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital.

He wanted the children to be able to look out and see this playground.

And see this beautiful mural, and it be such a beautiful amenity for for the city.

He asked us, what should I put up here?

And we had our ideas.

And then I remember one day him coming and saying, Jesse Trevino and I, we came up with what we want to put up here.

And it was an an angel, a guardian angel with a broken wing kind of symbolized Jesse.

And then hanging over his son, who was holding a white dove.

So seeing that come to fruition kind of taught me to dream.

And if you if you see something and you want it done, you can bring the community together and have it done.

The other big thing he taught us is it was our first job.

But it wasn't just any job.

Not only did he teach us how to work in the bakery, and how to hostess and how to greet people, we walked through all the different levels of Meteora, and he introduced us to everyone, and we had conversations with all of our employees and team members.

And then he would also take us on field trips around San Antonio.

He taught us about civic engagement.

We met local business leaders like Hope and Rosemarie Kowalski, Ernest Bromley, he says, all his friends, and they just told us their stories of how they became, you know, who they are.

And what it taught me was that you know, your path, your career, your life is not linear.

You know, you can sketch it out however you want it.

What you think is the right, path.

But it really takes its own life.

So as long as you have your guiding values and and goals, then you can get there.

Since 2019, I've been able I've been lucky enough to use both my business background and my food and beverage background, and I run at locations on the San Antonio Airport.

What I love about that is that the airport is the welcoming doors to our city, and so we're greeting all of our guests.

So similar to the way I grew up.

You know, all of our tourism and hospitality comes through here, and we're able to show people a little flavor of San Antonio.

I live and die by my calendar, but with a lot of help.

And then I think also just running teams and engaging them, trusting them.

And then I always ask them, what can I do to help you?

So what is the thing that's making your job the hardest right now?

And so once I know that, I try to find out how can I help that or ease that or, help facilitate a way that we can improve together.

I think the best advice I've ever gotten is to always leave things better than when you found it.

Whatever you're going to do, making sure you improve upon it.

Also listening to others walking into a room and thinking, you know, just a lot of what you don't let other people tell you what they need before you tell them what they need.

I got my undergrad in business because I was always interested and attracted to knowing the numbers behind everything and making sure it worked.

And culinary.

I think I've always had this inclination to knowing behind the kitchen, you know, on how everything came together.

It was just really curious about how do you take something from, you know, just a thought and or idea and bring it full circle.

So I never knew that I would just go into the restaurant business.

I was just part of a puzzle piece that I knew I, I wanted to learn more about.

Early on, I thought, Maybe I'll just work in the business alongside my family, but I really felt that my dad had bought into not only me, but my siblings.

You know, there's so much more to do.

There's so much more work to be done, whether it's in the city or for our culture.

So I really, you know, as opportunities opened up, I always talked to him about it and had his blessing.

And I think that really gave me the confidence to go for things.

And you never know what doors are going to open unless you, you try it for future myself, I really see finding more ways to give back to our local community and to mentor young leaders.

I feel very blessed that my dad left us a lot of reminders.

And so I think that park and that mural that he and Jesse dreamed up is a good reminder that if you dream it, you can make it happen, and that there's also so many people out there that are willing to help.

So San Antonio is a beautiful city in that everybody wants to help, you know, have a vision and and keep going.

Know yourselves.

Know yourself so well.

Know where you came from.

Know on your shoulders you stand and know your history.

That's who you are.

And that's important.

Once you know yourself, when you go into that system and you see a lot of other things, maybe not what you want to use, you want change.

The the danger is that you become like and you lose yourself because to to to fit.

And when you really know yourself, you say, I know where I came from, I know what my responsibilities are.

I know what my dreams are, and nobody's going to take that away from me.

I'm going to continue to be me no matter what.

If you were to ask Josie Gutierrez about her career as a brand spokesperson for the organization Latino Outdoors.

She would tell you she's living her best life one adventure at a time.

Josie was hired by the group after tagging them on social media.

Now she wants to see other Latinos get off the couch and into the great outdoors.

My name is Josie Gutierrez and I am with Latino Outdoors on the Texas Regional Coordinator for Latino Outdoors.

And I do support the San Antonio chapter, our Austin chapter, Dallas and Houston.

We basically take the community out into the outdoors and connect them with nature.

So and that could mean anything from doing a gardening event to a birding event to hiking or camping.

I didn't see enough enough color on the trails.

And so for me, it was important to realize, to kind of figure out why why wasn't that happening?

I think we just didn't see ourselves enough on magazines, on TV when I was growing up.

And in the 80s, 70s, I never thought that this was something that I could I would see myself in.

There was something for me.

My dad always took me to Disneyland because he thought that was a park or, you know, the one park that he would take me to was the San Antonio Zoo.

But we never thought about going beyond that to do hikes and trails and things like that.

It was it wasn't anything we like said.

We never saw ourselves with the backpack or on a kayak.

So I did see a need for that.

And what could I do that to make it accessible for everybody, to make sure their buddy understood that just like I did, that the trails are for everybody.

With Latinos, we're so connected to the land and the community already in itself.

My dad was a migrant worker and did that from, I think, the age of pretty much when he was born, all the way up until I think high school.

My mother's father, used to work at the San Antonio Zoo for many years, loved horses.

We had in his backyard.

He had ducks, so we had chickens.

So we knew the importance of just animals and and also gardens.

My grandmother was really big into gardens.

These are gardens.

Like, what can you find to eat?

But I think just knowing where my grandparents came from and how they worked the land and, and viewed the land is kind of was my was how I viewed it as well.

My dad was really big in the Latino movement back in the 70s and 60s.

So for me, growing up in that, seeing that there was just seen him decide you know what, I see something happening in my community and I want to talk about this.

I want to make a difference in watching my mom and my grandmothers, I always felt like we call ourselves poderosa, which means yes, we can.

Yes we do.

And so for me, that's always been the case for me.

I grew up with my grandmothers and seeing them and my aunt seeing strong women just doing what they wanted to do.

No excuses.

Just you did it.

You found a way.

I always just knew they were natural leaders and I want to be that as well.

So for me, I'm not scared of the what ifs.

It's the.

What if I did it?

I don't want to have a missed opportunity just because I was scared.

So coming into my own in my 40s, after my children were raised, my two daughters, it was more of like, okay, now what can I do?

Not just for myself, but for the community around me.

My friends and I felt also needed nature.

The connection for me is the strength that I feel comes with that.

I remember when I first went camping with like, you know, outdoors.

I didn't know how to set up a tent.

And I remember we went and we had to learn how to set up our own tent.

And I was thinking, oh, I when I go, when I'm at home, my husband does this for me.

I realize that we had roles and so I never thought about it.

So I thought, you know, that's his role when we go camping.

He sets up the tent.

And then so when I got there, that for why do we have to have roles?

You know why, why can't I do that?

Why should what?

Why didn't I learn?

And so it was it like I was told not to.

It was I didn't.

So in doing that the whole weekend, I remember thinking, you know, setting up my own tent, figuring out how to stay warm.

I remember thinking, I've never been in a sleeping bag.

I've slept on a sleeping bag.

We're from Texas.

It's hot.

Just finding different ways to to take care of myself and only think about myself was when I walked out of that camp, out that weekend.

It was so empowering.

And me being a mother also, I think was even more to that because it's something I could.

I was able to tell my children, look what I did, you know, and and I was scared.

Yes.

But I was able to do that.

And walking away with that, the tools that I got that weekend, really just changed me, changed my views on nature and that connection because it's something that's so pure with nature.

It doesn't judge us.

I was in my 40s.

My my two daughters had grown up.

I had a granddaughter who was all of a sudden four years old, and I thought, okay, she's ready to go outside.

And what did it?

What was it I do with my kids?

So I remember taking them camping.

That was a big part of it, and a big part of it back then, too, was because it was a financial.

It was a financial thing.

So knowing that we could go camping and it was cheap, but yet we were able to be in this beautiful place.

And then we connected all the stories and we're able to laugh and tell about and and it was just fun.

And so I thought, okay, it's her time.

So as a family, we took her camping.

And then from there I started looking outside into more organizations that maybe could connect me to nature.

I learned about blogging, realized that hashtagging was was really an, found Instagram.

And then I thought, okay, let me start looking up and said, well, I'm outside and I'm a Latina, so Latina outside, Latina outdoors.

And through that I found Latino outdoors.

And then I think it was so cute because they started sharing all of our pictures.

And then before you know it, they reached out and said, hey, would you like to be an ambassador with us?

We really would love to have you on board and continue to show off your beautiful city.

My my mentor for sure.

I had Jeanette Honeyman.

She was one of my biggest connectors to these cities outdoor spaces.

Her opening that door for me also helped a little bit in terms of getting getting my foot in the door for them to kind of know what Latino Doors was.

Latino doors was new to to Texas, for sure.

Ten years ago we didn't have funding.

So for me, it was really, really immersing myself in what could the community, what could I do for the community and what could I also, who can I partner with to help me bring something to life?

Some of the challenges that that we've had in connecting into the outdoors is definitely been, I think the fear for me, it's it's definitely the fear of the unknown.

So it's, we do do camp outs 2 to 3 times a year.

And one of the questions I always get asked by the kids in the family, is there a bathroom?

Is there a how far do I have to walk?

They ask about the wildlife, honestly.

And then also, what is it that they need to bring?

And financially, sometimes it can be a lot for people because there are different spaces in the outdoors and now there's so many.

You've got a natural habitats, you've got a state park, you've got national parks.

So and they all navigate a little bit differently.

So for us it's kind of talking them through that and letting them know through our journey like look this is all you need it.

And look if it's this type of park, this is all you need.

So for somebody who might want to do what I, what I'm doing right now, find what it is that you connect with, you know, if it's actually been outside or if it's actually been indoors, but supporting the outdoors, there's so many spaces in the outdoors that you can you can help navigate.

It's just a matter of what what is it that calls you?

And then then start volunteering at the spaces and that you feel that you're connected, you're connected to because it's all about how you feel.

So once you're there, just see what you can do and go outside the box and you're like, you know what?

They've never had a picnic here.

Maybe I can have a picnic here.

Hey, they've never done art in the park here.

Likes to art in the park.

So just let your imagination flow.

I'm only five foot and five foot.

Nothing right is important.

I find myself having to look up at men and look up at other taller women all the time.

Right?

So I try my best to wear heels as much as possible, stand tall, always make eye contact, like don't shy away, you know?

And because I have to remember that I earned the space that I'm in.

Just like everybody around this table, around the room.

But to carry yourself with confidence and, and and just be present when you're in spaces.

Right.

I think that's really important.

San Antonio and surrounding areas all have great opportunities for people to get involved in decision making.

How?

By serving on boards or commissions.

Former councilwoman doctor Adriana Rocha Garcia shares with Jessie Degollado.

Why stepping up to serve can lead to a new level of success for women.

Wonderful to see you.

Please make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for joining us.

So if anyone knows anything about boards and community involvement, goodness knows it's you.

It's you.

But what about so many others who have never served on the board, who may not know well what's involved?

And you know, what do they do?

So please help them understand what that means.

First of all, there's so many opportunities you can serve on, boards that focus on children, to boards that focus on airport items, to boards that focus on historic preservation.

And so there's something for everybody in these, board appointments.

I was fortunate enough to serve on the city's ethics review board.

And so, we have the opportunity to really plug in to our strengths.

But the reason, Jesse, that I think it's so important to serve in these boards before you, decide to, maybe go for other things is because you learn, literally the inner workings of these different departments.

And that's important.

That's critical information that, that you need to know about.

And by the way, you find valuable information that you could take back to your neighborhoods and to your communities.

But if they're not sure you know what board.

This is a question that many people have.

What do they ask me to serve on the board?

Or is it possible for me to ask to serve on the board?

So, Jesse, the beauty is that anybody can apply as long as you're a resident.

Antonio.

And by the way, even residents of the surrounding areas, they could apply and receive a waiver.

So, for instance, if you live around San Antonio but work in San Antonio, where you have a good opportunity of still applying and being eligible for a waiver by the city council, but anyone can apply.

You don't have to be asked, what I would recommend is that you reach out to your council member and you let them know I'm interested in the early Childhood advisory Board or whatever board that it is.

And let them know that they have a position available.

That's one of the key things to do on the website.

You can look to see which council members have positions available.

Obviously, if you're in that district, call your council person.

But there's also At-Large and mayoral appointments.

So reach out to the mayor's office or reach out to that department director and say, how do I get one of these At-Large positions?

And, one of the things that people I think, just make an assumption is that they're going to be asked to apply.

The reality is that there's so many boards and commissions that we never have them for.

They're never at capacity.

But the thing is, a lot of people say, sure, I'd love to.

And they would jump at the opportunity, but maybe not understand that it is truly a commitment.

And sometimes and, you know, people will get on a board and then after a while they are no longer there.

One of the things that does happen, Jesse, thank you for mentioning that is because you do have these time commitments, but the time commitment is very different depending on what board.

Some boards only meet as needed, some meet, maybe quarterly, others meet once a month, others meet even, more frequently, depending on different matters that they're taken up.

And so when you think about your commitment on the board, definitely look for one of these positions that you know you can commit to.

Because many times we don't have quorum, and we need it to conduct city business to see if it's a thing and then to find out which one are you truly interested in.

Because certainly that has a lot to do with your commitment and your devotion to them.

And then also to understand what's involved in terms of, well, what do you want me to do on the board?

For that matter, what do what does this board do?

So is it important that people do their homework and maybe talk to current or former board members and ask them, so what is this all about and what advice can you give me?

Yes, absolutely.

Jesse, one of the things that the city website does brilliantly is it has the number of years that someone has served.

So you could see that, for instance, there's some appointees that have been serving in the same capacity since 2009.

That's a really long time.

It may be because either they're stellar and the boards try to keep them on, or the fact that nobody is applying to replace them.

You see a lot of people that are in what is called hold over positions.

So for instance, that expired in 2023 and there just hasn't been people who have applied.

So I'm really hoping that we just get the word out about people applying to these boards and commissions, because they do very important work, important work that has been forwarded to the city council.

So these groups essentially do all of the legwork.

They do a lot of the, I would say, tedious work meeting with community members, etc., and they make presentations in formal settings to the council members.

And then that can essentially drive policy.

And so it's very, very important to be as involved as possible.

And I really hope that people see that right now.

There's a great opportunities.

They have the opportunity to say, you know what, I'd be really good on the higher ed board.

Or, you know what?

I'd be really good on the Building Standards Board.

Any advice for those newcomers to the board?

Because they may go in with a certain mindset of what this will be, but can you give us some advice?

Yes.

So, Jessie, what the beautiful thing is that the city clerk's job does a great job of, placing people through training so they know exactly what they can, what they can't do.

Some board positions are more than advisory in nature.

Some aren't.

And so the city clerk's office, together with the city attorney's office, does an excellent job at training, letting you know what the responsibilities are.

And, other than time commitment, what you're essentially signing your name on the dot for.

So, I would encourage everybody not to be scared, even if they've never served.

They're going to get training to be best, as best prepared as possible to serve on that board.

You have been a wealth of information and encouragement.

I hope that it gets a response and people want to get involved.

Me too.

Thank you so much.

There's very few times that mentors go up to a mentee and say, hey, I'm going to mentor you.

Wait, so you have to approach your mentors.

And that's basically what I did.

You know, in the conversations I would say, oh, I'd, I'd love to try this or I'd want to do that, or how do you how do you think I'm doing?

And they would give me the feedback and, give me the support that I needed.

What a great visit with three fabulous Latina leaders.

We're so proud of all our guests this season, and we're so thankful to you for joining us.

Melanie Mendez Gonzalez.

Nos vemos.

Salud is supported by Texas Mutual Workers Compensation Insurance Company.