Carolina Zuniga’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. From navigating a difficult relationship during the pandemic to rebuilding her finances, finding her voice as a speaker and coach, and launching a business with her son, she has turned life’s hardest challenges into powerful stepping stones. Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest times, growth is possible — and that we all carry within us the strength to rise. Humans of Fuzia celebrates Carolina for her honesty, her perseverance, and her mission to empower others through her journey.
Q: Can you tell us how your personal journey began and what shaped it the most?
Carolina: My journey is ongoing — I see it as progress rather than completion. It truly began during the pandemic, at a time when I was in a very difficult relationship with someone struggling with addiction. I was losing myself emotionally and financially, and I knew something had to change. I focused on rebuilding my finances, paying down debts, and slowly shifting my energy toward growth. During this time, I discovered a desire to become a speaker and joined the John Maxwell program, where I found accountability and courage to begin this new path.
Q: How did these experiences affect your relationship with your son?
Carolina: The pandemic was actually the first time I spent so much uninterrupted time with my son, which at first felt unusual but later became a blessing. I wanted him to have opportunities I never had, so I taught him financial responsibility early by adding him as an authorized user on my credit cards. By the time he turned 18, he had an excellent credit score. Today, we’re not just mother and son — we’re also business partners. We recently launched our first Airbnb together, and our bond has grown into a friendship I deeply cherish.
Q: What are your thoughts on women and leadership today?
Carolina: Women have always been leaders, whether at home or at work. The challenge is that often we are asked to choose between being a good parent and being a good leader. That balance can be tough. Women are powerful, but I believe it’s important to lead in spaces that ignite our passion — otherwise, burnout is inevitable. Empowerment is not just about holding titles; it’s about pursuing leadership that truly fulfills us.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Carolina: Times are changing, and so are workplaces. As an older millennial, I grew up with a mindset of “work, work, work” at any cost. But now I see younger generations valuing boundaries, flexibility, and well-being — and I respect that. My advice is to keep up with the times. Hard work will always matter, but success today also requires balance, adaptability, and knowing how to protect yourself from burnout.
Q: How has your definition of success evolved?
Carolina: For a long time, success meant money. If I could provide for my son and never let anything be missing in our home, I thought that was success. But today, I see it differently. Health, peace of mind, time with my son, and the ability to build something of my own — that’s what success means now. Money is necessary, but when you follow passion, money follows too.
Q: Do you still struggle with imposter syndrome?
Carolina: Absolutely. Even when I received the email for this interview, I felt it. I’m still planting seeds, and while some flowers have bloomed, many are still underground. I don’t have a big social media following, and sometimes that makes me question myself. But I remind myself that growth doesn’t have to be public to be real. When the time is right, things will come together. The key is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
“We all have a little light within us — gifts meant to be opened. My hope is to inspire others to see that there is always a way forward, no matter how dark the moment feels.” – Carolina Zuniga
Connect with Carolina Zuniga:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-z-722904253/
https://www.instagram.com/albertrddigital
✨ Want to be featured? If you’d like to be part of the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
