Erica Rivera’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of self-belief. From being a teen mom navigating her way through survival jobs to breaking into tech and ultimately building her own coaching business, her story inspires women to embrace possibility and rewrite their paths. Humans of Fuzia celebrates Erica for her mission to uplift others, showing our community of 5M+ women that no barrier is too great when determination leads the way.
Q: What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
Erica Rivera: A series of life experiences led me here. I became a teen mom at 17, had to leave school, and jumped into the workforce to provide for my son. It wasn’t easy—I worked in the restaurant industry and struggled to transfer my skills into a different career. Eventually, I landed in tech, but I never forgot those challenges. I didn’t want others to go through the same struggle, so I started coaching to give people the tools, resources, and confidence to level up their careers. My business was born out of my personal journey of breaking barriers.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?
Erica Rivera: At first, I simply didn’t know what I didn’t know. There was a lot of trial and error—figuring things out as I went. Today, my biggest challenge is scaling. I know there’s a big need for this work, but as one person, I need to learn how to expand with the right team and resources.
Q: What moments make you most proud in your journey so far?
Erica Rivera: Partnering with larger organizations has been a huge milestone. For example, I’m an advisor on Glassdoor’s platform, where I share career content. That recognition affirmed the value of my voice in this space. On a personal level, proving to myself that I could create a sustainable business while showing my children what’s possible has been the most rewarding part. I want them to see that women can lead, build, and thrive.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Erica Rivera: Women have come a long way, overcoming so many societal expectations and limitations. Now, we’re stepping into our truths, claiming opportunities that weren’t always available. But I also believe leadership carries a responsibility—we must bring others along with us. When women support women, we create more seats at the table and make leadership more accessible for the next generation.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Erica Rivera: Be visible. Too often we work hard but stay unseen, and visibility makes a huge difference. Use your voice, share your impact, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—even if you’re scared, do it anyway. For entrepreneurs, stop waiting for the “perfect” time—there isn’t one. Take the leap, and trust that you’ll figure things out as you go.
Q: How do you define success for yourself?
Erica Rivera: Success is the imprint I leave on the world. It’s about making people’s lives better, living in my truth, and saying yes to opportunities even when they feel scary. For me, success means looking back without regrets, knowing I’ve lived authentically and courageously.
Q: What legacy do you want to leave behind?
Erica Rivera: I want people to see what’s possible. We all face limitations—some internal, some external—but at the end of the day, the power to decide what’s possible lies within us. If people remember me as someone who helped them reconnect with their own truth and step into their power, then I’ve done my job.
“Trust yourself, lean into your intuition, and never let someone else’s opinion define your truth. The power to change your life is already within you.” – Erica Rivera
Connect with Erica Rivera:
careerdivacoaching.com
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