Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesenia Hudson.
Hi Yesenia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Southern California, in Long Beach. My family moved to Sacramento when I was 9 after my Dad had a job transfer. I was raised in Sacramento and am the oldest of 3. I went to college at Sac State University and worked in San Francisco while in college. At 22, I moved to the Bay Area, and so began my entrepreneurial work. I worked as a contractor most of my 20s. I used the money I earned, saved, and went into the food industry. I co-owned and operated an Açaí shop in San Jose, CA starting in 2017. During my time there, I learned a lot about business from the ground up. I was very hands-on and I learned the ins and outs of what it took to run a business. I enjoyed my time there and then we expanded the company to Sacramento. This was right before the pandemic. Once the pandemic hit, California mandates were quite overwhelming in the food industry. As I was there, I began to look for my next venture. As we all went through a lot seeing that start of the pandemic, I started to question what I really wanted out of life. I knew I wanted to get out of the food industry, so I started where my passions lie. I started looking into drones because that makes me happy. I also started doing odd jobs, including audio narrating for Authors. This lead me into the podcasting world. I knew I wanted to connect with other women, and I wanted to empower others going through the same things I was. So I started researching podcasts and looked for my place in the midst of it all. And so Sueños y Deseos was born. I am Nicaraguan American. My mother is a Nicaraguan Immigrant and I grew up in an interracial household. Our Mother only spoke Spanish to us while at home growing up, and my father although American, is also bilingual. I identify as a Latina American. I wanted my culture to be a part of my podcast. So I looked into Spanish names for the title, although the podcast is spoken in English. This actually brought a lot of attention to it, unknowingly. I also wanted the name to be catchy since it’s long- so I created the nickname “The SYD Podcast” for those that are Spanish speakers. The podcast is storytelling from the eyes of a 32-year-old entrepreneur. I launched the podcast March of 2021, and it just turned one years old. I made a commitment to publish my podcasts every Sunday night. Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week. Growing up I watched football with my dad and went to church on Sundays with my family. I also grew up watching Sex and The City, and Carrey Bradshaw always wrote on Sundays. It has been an incredible outlet for creativity and a wonderful place to connect with women from all over the world. It has made me truly happy. Even though the podcast has been a passion- my main work has been within data analytics. I use the funding I get through my main work to fuel my passions. The month I launched the podcast, in March of 2021- I started preparing myself to move to a new city. I narrowed it to down Seattle, New York, or Dallas. Seattle was eliminated pretty quickly. I didn’t feel a draw towards it. New York seemed to easy, only because I have family and friends that live there. This is when Dallas became my number-one choice. I wanted to move to a city where no one I knew lived there, and that I could push myself to get out of my comfort zone. In early April of 2021, I took my first trip. I fell in love with downtown Dallas immediately. I also believe in signs. When I took my first trip and came across a street on my first walk to visit an apartment that is my grandfathers’s name. I ended up moving into that apartment and I believe He is always with me here in spirit. Dallas has been an incredible new chapter in my life. After a year of living here, I can’t wait to experience this next year. I have met so many wonderful people in this city, and I have learned that southern hospitality is a real thing. I have fallen in love with Dallas, and it truly feels like home now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There definitely have been challenges since moving to Dallas. At times within my entrepreneurship, I have had to make job changes in order to afford my expenses. I also tried dating but have been unsuccessful at it. I have been very happy on my own and work a lot, so it’s been difficult to attempt to go out- let alone not spend that quality time with my friends instead. Which is what I normally choose to do. I’m a very family-oriented person, so I often miss my family. They are all in different states and countries.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a podcaster I am also a digital creator and love creating film to video on top of podcast episodes every week.
I love to travel and document it.
I’m launching my YouTube channel this year to show people parts of Italy and domestic vacations as well.
I’m most proud of my diligence to my craft. I have released content every week the past year without fail.
What sets me apart?
Being a first-generation Latin American woman who is relentless to my craft. I love exploring, I love traveling, I love sharing stories about women- and I can’t wait to continue to share womens stories from all over the world. It matters. Learning from one another, teaching one another, connecting with one another matters.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
To never take anything for granted. To remind your loved ones how much you love them every day. That life can change in the blink of an eye. So do not wait for anything- just make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sydpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
- Instagram: @YeseniaHudson & @The.S.Y.D.Podcast
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yesenia.hudson.733
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yesenia-hudson-61909b1b8
- Twitter: YeseniaHudson31
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sue%C3%B1os-y-deseos-podcast/id1557395611
