Marleen

I am Marleen, a woman defined by courage, resilience, and faith in new beginnings. I was born in Anzoátegui, Venezuela, and raised alongside my four siblings in a home filled with love and strong values. I believed deeply in education and earned my bachelor’s degree in Accounting, dreaming of a stable and meaningful future. But when circumstances threatened my safety and peace of mind, I had to make the painful decision to leave my home country. I was not searching for comfort or luxury, I was looking for safety, dignity, and the opportunity to live without fear. Leaving behind my family and everything I had built was heartbreaking, but I chose hope over fear. When I arrived in this country, I had to start from zero. My degree did not immediately open doors, so I adapted and began working as a driver for people with special needs, a role that required patience, compassion, and responsibility. I showed up every day with humility and gratitude, believing that no job is small when it is done with heart. Determined to create a better future and support my family back home, I launched my own Venezuelan food business last year. Through recipes I learned from my mother, I share a piece of my culture and my story with my community. What began as survival has become empowerment. My journey has taught me that starting over does not mean losing everything it means having the courage to build something new.