Daisy Cabrera, Communications Maven
Grace Gavilanes: Tell us about the road to launching your own business. Was this always your goal?
Daisy Cabrera: After decades of building a career in brand and corporate communications — on the agency side and in-house — I knew it was time to take the leap and pivot my professional journey. El que quiere, puede.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of servicing the PR needs of blue-chip companies such as British Airways, Marshalls, HomeGoods, CoverGirl, Pantene, VH-1, HOLA! USA, Denny’s, Heineken, Splenda, Lactaid, alli, yellowtail wine, metroPCS, and so many more clients. And, I’ve worked with Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning celebrity talent along the way — which was icing on the cake.
Today, as an independent bilingual and bicultural consultant, I come to the table with this breadth of communications experience. ¡Pa’lante siempre! Whether it’s bringing client strategies to life, planning a PR program, uplifting underserved communities, launching new products, driving event activations, or cultivating fruitful media and influencer partnerships — I’m all in.
The work continues to inspire and challenge me every day, as I spearhead powerful impact for my clients with speed, savvy, and strategy. I always say: Bet on yourself. To echo Selena: “The impossible is always possible.” Chef’s kiss! For my fellow Latinas who want to be their own boss — also be your own brand, and biggest advocate. ¡Dale!
GG: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your work?
DC: I was born to do PR. It’s not just a job — it’s my purpose, my calling. Building client trust, crafting messaging, collaborating with tastemakers, creating meaningful relationships, landing media headlines, shaping nuanced storytelling, amplifying brand voices, connecting the dots before anyone else sees them… it’s in my DNA and I’m fully in my element.
The rewards are so vast when esfuerzo meets pasión. I can’t imagine earning a living doing anything else, and every day is different. My creativity is fueled, my instincts are sharpened, and I am reminded daily of the power of communications when done right.
GG: Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you make sure to take care of yourself first?
DC: ¡Dios mío! Isn’t it exhausting to always be on, always be working, always be hustling? I’m burnt out just thinking about it! For too many of us, hustle = survival. But, surviving and thriving are two very different things. The hustle culture glorifies a non-stop grind, and I am not here for it. Work/life balance shouldn't be this rare unicorn, it should be the norm. Punto y aparte.
Mujeres, we deserve all the things: rest, recovery and rhythms that celebrate our careers — but also honor our personal lives. Descanso and downtime is THE moment. It’s not a luxury to prioritize your “ME” time and ignore after-hour work emails, take a bubble bath, chill with family, enjoy happy hour with friends, even catch up on your favorite telenovela. It is a right, and self-preservation leads to health and happiness. Full stop.
Burnout is not cute, and neither is centering your life around work instead of yourself. Create and protect all the space you need. Chasing balance isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. And, we can pair hard work with respeto for our whole selves. Rituals that keep me inspired and centered are super important to me. I’m an avid reader with a library of books that line the shelves and simply take me away. Think Latina voices: Isabel Allende, Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Esmeralda Santiago, and Cristina García to Elizabeth Acevedo, Naima Coster, Jennifer de Leon, Xóchitl González, and Angie Cruz.
The open sky is always calling, and I love taking walks in the park — just letting the sun kiss my face and la brisa clear my mind. Watching my fur baby roll around the grass, or taking a long bike ride is pure joy. I also cherish listening to our growing vinyl collection of jazz with my husband, a variety that includes several Latino greats. A good night’s sleep is sacred to me, and every morning, I start by counting my blessings — grateful for everything that makes life so wonderful. No cuentes problemas, cuenta bendiciones.
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life? (Please brag! We don’t do it enough.)
DC: In my personal life, what brings me the greatest pride is being of service to others. While sitting on the national board member of the Hispanic Public Relations Association, I launched the Miami chapter as Founding President. In just its first year, it grew to become the largest and strongest chapter in the country — a true testament to the power of collective purpose. Protecting our civil rights is crucial, and I sat on the ACLU Miami chapter board for several years, handling media outreach pro-bono. This included sharing the legal rights of immigrants. Creating community has always been close to my heart. I’ve been a proud member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists for over a decade, and I continue to give back by volunteering with the South Florida chapter.
Writing is another passion close to my heart. As a freelance journalist, I’ve had the pleasure of contributing to HuffPost, LatinTrends, The Latina Kitchen, Dominican Times, MiamiArtZine, CultureOwl, and more. I’m also honored to have been recognized as a finalist for a Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) award, which encourages me to keep amplifying voices and sharing stories that matter. On the professional side, I’m equally proud of the impactful brand campaigns and memorable performances I’ve had the privilege to support — with renowned megastars like Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Sofía Vergara, Marc Anthony, Chef Lorena García, Judy Reyes, and many others.
These experiences have not only showcased their talent but also strengthened our cultural representation. Being part of projects that highlight our rich heritage and connect with diverse audiences continue to fuel my commitment — to foster greater visibility and shine a spotlight on our vibrant community. Somos muchos acentos, pero una sola voz.
““Mujeres, we deserve all the things: rest, recovery and rhythms that celebrate our careers — but also honor our personal lives.””
GG: Have you experienced imposter syndrome? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
DC: So many of us experience imposter syndrome, whether we’re starting out in our careers or decades in. Myself included!
Shake it off. Do not shrink when doubt whispers louder than truth. We must quiet that destructive internal voice telling us we’re not capable, talented, qualified, competent. Self-awareness neutralizes self-sabotage. Tú no tienes límites — los límites los pones tú. So, pull out those receipts — the kudos you’ve received, the accomplishments you’ve achieved, the credentials that anchor your talents. Be kind to yourself, and don’t downplay your brilliance. At the end of the day, you don’t have to prove your worth. You just have to remind yourself of it! El talento no se improvisa.
Honestly, I work hard to recenter myself and quiet that voice. Because sometimes just creating that quiet moment interrupts the crazy spiral. Meditating for even five minutes makes a world of difference: closing my eyes, deeply inhaling in peace, slowly exhaling that energy. It gives me clarity and confidence.
GG: What advice would you give someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
DC: First, find your passion. This is a good starting point to turn it into a sustainable career. Passion fuels creativity, and strategy drives sustainability. Uncover your “secret sauce” — your edge and what sets you apart. Make space for it in your day, not just your mind. Build a network of people who share your passion. Seek a mentor to guide and inspire you. Join organizations to meet like-minded professionals. Turn to your support system, and tell your tribe. Share the purpose behind your passion. El que no habla, Dios no lo oye.
Then, start on your path and take those baby steps — side gigs, small projects, even pro-bono work. Small moves still move you forward, and you don’t have to sprint to succeed! Success takes time, patience, learning, strength, resilience. When passion becomes practice, that practice becomes power. I wear many hats, and I had to learn all the basics: how to do my own PR, how to drum up business, how to set my fees, how to position myself in the marketplace, how to enhance my LinkedIn presence, how to juggle multiple clients, how to manage my billable time, how to build my portfolio, even how to do my taxes.
Poco a poco se va lejos. Repeat after me: You are not small, and there is nothing you can’t handle.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
DC: OMG, being Latina means the world to me! My parents made their way from the Dominican Republic to New York in their twenties, and I was born in the “Los Sures” neighborhood — Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Our house was always full — with the aroma of Mami’s home-cooked meals, the sounds of merengue and laughter, and the joy of family and friends gathered together in our tiny apartment. Eventually, we made our way down south for Miami’s endless sunshine (our warm island roots were calling!), where the tropical climate felt more like home.
While I’m a proud American (and native New Yorker!) — being Latina is to carry my heritage with pride, beauty, resilience, wisdom, meaning, and undeniable strength in every step — to live out loud with a kind corazón, a deep soul, a fiery spirit. La sangre llama.
Our wise elders, and their spirit of luchadoras sharing dichos and refranes. Our delicious food — treasured recipes passed from generation to generation — tells stories that are seasoned with memory and peppered with love. Our beloved music stirs something deep — rhythms, harmonies, lyrics, percussion and melodies that bring us closer to our ancestors. Our loved ones — that hold us tight, lift us up, protect our history, provide a foundation, and encourage us to spread our wings and take flight.
Our dynamic culture is a beautiful mosaic of 20 countries — a colorful kaleidoscope that is flourishing with tradition, values, and faith. Beyond my deep love for all things Dominican, I’m endlessly inspired by the richness across Latin America. With many diverse countries to explore — flavorful cuisines, breathtaking landscapes, unique folklore, vibrant traditions, stunning architecture, and so much more — it’s rewarding to discover the uniqueness each has to offer.
¡Que viva la cultura!
