“No one is going to believe in your project as much as you do.”

1. Tell us your story. How was that transition of leaving Bolivia and arriving in Canada? What memories do you have of that transition?

Immigration is a challenging experience that demands a lot of resilience, patience, and determination. My husband and I arrived in Canada in 2003, leaving behind not only Bolivia, but also our families, friends, jobs, and everything we knew. It was one of the biggest changes of my life.

Initially, we focused on integrating into the Canadian system. We did internships in both the public and private sectors to gain local experience.

At the same time, I validated my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Privada Boliviana (UPB) through WES, World Education Services, in Ontario, an entity that evaluates foreign academic credentials and compares them to Canadian educational standards.

With Canadian experience and my validated degree, it was not difficult for me to find a good job in the financial area. I started working at Heritage Education Funds, an investment company, which allowed me to establish myself professionally and financially in Canada.

2. How was Aeroinflatables born and why did you decide to bet on this sector?

Although my husband and I had job stability, we always had the urge to undertake. At first, we explored several ideas focused on import and export between Bolivia and Canada. We considered importing advertising inflatables from Bolivia and collaborating with a Bolivian company, but it did not materialize due to logistical barriers. As we continued to explore, we found suppliers in Mexico, the United States, and China, and that was where the idea evolved from advertising inflatables to entertainment inflatables.

Aeroinflatables literally started in my home garage, with only three inventory units initially focused on leasing for residential events.

Today, after 18 years, Aeroinflatables has consolidated as much more than an inflatable game rental company. We are a true “one stop shop” for large-scale events, offering comprehensive solutions that include planning, logistics, assembly, and operation.

We have an inventory of more than 400 inflatable games and complementary products, our own warehouse facilities, a fleet of vehicles and, even more importantly, a highly trained work team. We operate under strict safety standards, including regulations such as the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, TSSA, ensuring that each equipment and operation meets the highest standards.

We currently operate in the Greater Toronto Area, GTA, a region of approximately seven million inhabitants and one of the fastest growing in North America. Our focus has always been quality, innovation, and customer service, which has allowed us to grow steadily and position ourselves as one of the leading companies in our industry.

3. The Canadian Choice Award 2026 is not a recognition that is handed out overnight. Tell us, what is the process from being nominated, to being finalists, to finally being announced as winners in your category?

The Canadian Choice Award is a process that takes time and reflects the constant work of an entire year. It all starts with the nomination, which usually comes from our own clients. That is already a great honor, because it validates the experience we offer.

Then we go through an evaluation stage in which different factors are analyzed, such as service quality, reputation, customer reviews, and business consistency. Being a finalist is already a very important achievement, because it means being among the best companies in our category, in which, by the way, we have a lot of competition.

Finally, after a more detailed review, the winners are announced.

Having been recognized as winners of the 2026 Canadian Choice Awards in the category of “Best Entertainment Service Company” in the GTA is a source of enormous pride and a reflection of the commitment and dedication we have maintained with our clients over the years.

4. Beyond the trophy, what does this award represent for Aeroinflatables and for you?

Beyond the trophy, this award represents the trust of our clients and the validation of many years of work, effort, and perseverance. For Aeroinflatables, it is a confirmation that we are on the right track and that focusing on service quality really makes a difference.

On a personal level, it is very significant because it reflects the entire path traveled: from starting from scratch, with limited resources, to becoming a consolidated company. It is also a reminder that behind every achievement there are sacrifices, continuous learning, and a great team that makes all this possible.

More than a final achievement, we see it as a motivation to keep growing, innovating, and offering ever better experiences to our clients.

5. You are very active in supporting new Latino entrepreneurs in Canada. From your experience, what advice do you give to those who undertake far from their country and feel fear or doubt?

Undertaking far from your country always comes with fear and uncertainty, and that is completely normal. My main advice is not to wait until you feel "ready," because that moment often does not come. The important thing is to start, even with small steps, and learn along the way.

In addition, it is key to seek opportunities and lean on government programs and incentives for entrepreneurs. Canada is a country of immigrants and full of opportunities for those who are willing to work for their goals.

I would also tell them to be resilient and constant. There will be obstacles, especially as immigrants, but every challenge brings learning. Surround yourself with a good support network, seek mentors, and do not be afraid to ask for help.

And above all, believe in your vision. No one is going to believe in your project as much as you do. If you have clarity on what you want to build and work with discipline, the results eventually arrive.

6. In addition to this award, you have consular-level recognition from the Bolivian community. What does it mean to you that your own country, through its institutions, recognizes the work you do abroad?

In 2021 I received recognition from the Canadian Bolivian Chamber, Bolivian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as an outstanding Bolivian businesswoman in Canada, at the “Bolivian Entrepreneur Day”. Likewise, in 2022 we were named “Outstanding Bolivian Professionals” by the Coordinator of the Bolivian Unit, a very active organization within the Bolivian community in the Greater Toronto Area.

Receiving these recognifications has been very significant for us, as it allows us to hold our roots high and demonstrate that, even if we are far away, we continue to represent Bolivia with pride.

It is also a great motivation to continue growing and contributing, not only at the business level, but also inspiring other Latino entrepreneurs who are traveling a similar path.

7. Representing “successful Latinas” in Canada in workshops and events is something you are passionate about. How do you feel when you are invited to those spaces and how do you prepare that motivational message?

It is something that I am really passionate about and that I receive with much gratitude. Each invitation is an opportunity to share my story, but above all, to connect with other women who are going through similar processes.

In all this journey, besides being an immigrant and businesswoman, my most important role has been being a mom. I have two sons, Nicholas, 21, and Sebastián, 18, who have been my greatest inspiration in this process. I always like to emphasize that, as women, we have a great capacity to take on multiple roles. Even more so being far from our direct family, we learn to be strong and to handle everything that life throws at us.

I like to tell my testimony from who I am behind the company, and I feel that many women identify with that reality. Participating in these spaces carries a great responsibility because, beyond sharing achievements, it is fundamental to also talk about challenges and difficult moments. That is where connection and motivation are truly generated.

When preparing my message, I always think about how I can add value from my experience and what I would have liked to hear when I was starting out. I seek to convey that it is indeed possible, but that it also requires work, discipline, and resilience.

My goal is for each person who listens to take away something useful: inspiration, a concrete idea, or simply the confidence of knowing they are not alone on this path.

8. In 2022 you were on the cover of a local magazine in Toronto as an “entrepreneurial family.” How has the balance been between leading a family business and maintaining that growth that today brings you an important award?

It has been a process of much learning, adaptation, and teamwork. Being a family business has great advantages, such as trust, shared values, and commitment, but it also involves important challenges, especially when it comes to separating the personal from the professional.

Being recognized as an "outstanding family" in the magazine Neighbours of Stonehaven was very significant for us, because it reflects not only the growth of the business, but also the work behind the scenes as a family.

Our children have been a fundamental part of this path. They have practically grown up with the company and have been naturally involved in it. Since they were 14 years old, in addition to studying, they have worked side-by-side with us and with the entire Aeroinflatables team. These last 18 years have been of hard work as a family, learning together, adapting to challenges, and growing as a team.

The balance is not always perfect, but keeping good communication, defining roles, and supporting each other has been key. We have also learned to balance intense work days with rest times, family trips, and spaces to reconnect.

In the end, the growth of the business has gone hand-in-hand with our growth as a family, and that balance has been fundamental to achieving what we are today.

9. You have always liked to highlight where you come from and where you studied. In what way did your time at UPB and your professional training influence the way you manage your company in Toronto?

I have always highly valued my roots and my academic background. My time at UPB was fundamental in my professional development, as it gave me solid foundations in areas such as planning, decision-making, discipline, and a structured vision of the business world.

That training, combined with my experience in the financial area, allowed me to develop a mindset focused on organization, efficiency, and strategic decision-making, key aspects when building and growing Aeroinflatables in Toronto.

In addition, academic training instilled in me the importance of work ethic, responsibility, and perseverance, values that I apply daily in the company.

Undoubtedly, UPB not only gave me theoretical knowledge, but also the confidence to emigrate with a university degree that was evaluated under North American educational standards. Beyond the degree, it gave me the security needed to integrate into the job market in the financial area and, subsequently, dare to entrepreneur from scratch.

10. If you had to send a message to UPB students who dream of undertaking, whether in Bolivia or abroad, what would you tell them based on your experience?

I would tell them that entrepreneurship is an exciting path, but one that requires a lot of patience, resilience, and constant work. It is not always linear, and there will be moments of doubt, but that is precisely where real experience is built.

From my experience, both in Bolivia and abroad, a key thing is not to wait to have everything perfect to start. It is better to take small steps, learn in the process, and be open to constantly adapting.

I would also recommend that they highly value their training at UPB, because it gives them solid foundations that really make a difference when making decisions and managing a business.

And, above all, I would tell them to believe in their ideas and their capacity. Undertaking far from home can be scary, but it also opens huge doors. With discipline, focus, and a good support network, it is indeed possible to build something meaningful and lasting.