In this episode of Make Space for Growth, Sara Vicente Barreto sits down with Alicia Vivanco, founder and CEO of Holos, a wellness company helping people feel better—so they can live and work better. From national dance competitions in Peru to a career in engineering at IBM, Alicia's path to entrepreneurship was far from linear. She shares how grit, clarity, and consistency helped her pivot through personal and professional challenges—including nearly going bankrupt and becoming a mom of twins—while scaling a wellness platform now active across Peru and Mexico. Tune in to hear her reflections on leadership, wellness as fuel, and why building something meaningful requires showing up, even when life gets messy.

In this episode of the Make Space for Growth podcast, Sara Vicente Barreto sits down with Anais Cisneros, co-founder of Amela, a private network designed to uplift entrepreneurs—especially women—by helping them build, fund, and scale their ventures.

From growing up in Peru with her nose buried in books to moving to Europe at 17 and building a global career across consulting, tech, and venture capital, Anais's story is a testament to preparation, resilience, and purpose. Together, Sara and Anais explore why no amount of preparation is ever truly enough, the power of building networks early, and how decisiveness and empathy shape Anais's leadership style.

This conversation goes beyond strategy—into joy, flow, and the small rituals that keep Anais grounded as she builds a platform to help founders leapfrog the hardest parts of entrepreneurship.

Tune in for wisdom on preparing for the journey, choosing your hard, and staying clear on your why.

What does it take to reimagine how we teach tech to the next generation? Dora Palfi, co-founder of Imagi, joins me on the Make Space for Growth podcast to share her powerful journey—from neuroscience student to edtech founder breaking boundaries in inclusive computer science education.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ How Imagi began as a coding app and charm for girls and evolved into a global edtech platform

✅ Why AI literacy and ethical tech education are central to the classroom of the future

✅ Lessons Dora has learned as a first-time founder—from time blocking to "clarity is kindness"

✅ What it means to lead from purpose, not perfection

✅ How breaking self-imposed limits is shaping Dora's entrepreneurial path

You can also listen wherever you get your podcasts or read the full blog on makespaceforgrowth.com

Explore Imagi: https://imagi.com

Follow Dora on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dorapalfi

In this episode of Make Space for Growth, I speak with Joana Trigueiros, CEO of Maray—a Portuguese shoe brand rooted in heritage, purpose, and bold design. Joana is not only a remarkable entrepreneur but also my business partner and lifelong friend, which made this conversation even more meaningful.

We cover:

✅ How Joana balanced a full-time executive role at Danone while launching Maray

✅ What it really means to be a "Chief Everything Officer"

✅ Her people-first approach to business and leadership

✅ The brand's origin in her family's shoe shop

✅ Her word of the year: Brave

Whether you're launching a business or redefining what success looks like, this is a must-listen.

🔗 Full episode notes: [Insert blog link]

Quote to remember: "What would you do if you were not afraid?"

#MakeSpaceForGrowth #ChiefEverythingOfficer #JoanaTrigueiros #MarayShoes #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #FootwearDesign #Entrepreneurship #ResilientLeadership

How do you turn a real-life pain point into a thriving business? Can you keep the human element in an AI-driven business?

In this episode of Make Space for Growth, I sit down with Katia Yakovleva, co-founder of ContentRadar.ai, to talk about:

✅ Her journey from marketing at Coca-Cola to being one of the first 150 employees at Spotify
✅ The challenges and lessons of building an AI-powered marketing tool
✅ Balancing automation and human creativity in content marketing
✅ Why finding the right co-founder and early clients makes all the difference

Katya's story is a masterclass in execution, resilience, and innovation. Tune in to hear how she's redefining content marketing and what AI means for the future of work!

🚀 In this episode of Make Space for Growth, I sit down with Marta Palmeiro, co-founder of Student Finance, to explore her journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, the challenges of funding a high-impact fintech startup, and the role of AI in the future of work.

🎧 Marta's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to bridging the skills gap in today's fast-changing job market. Through Student Finance, she is helping individuals upskill in high-demand fields like AI, engineering, and the green economy—all while ensuring financial accessibility through innovative funding models.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ How Marta transitioned from banking to fintech and impact-driven entrepreneurship

✅ The challenges of building a business with an entirely new business model

✅ How AI is transforming both Student Finance and the broader job market

✅ The importance of flexibility and self-reflection in leadership

✅ Marta's vision for the future of upskilling and workforce transformation

📖 Marta's book recommendation: Surrender to Flow by Phyllis Lane

💡 Favorite quote: "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat. Just get on." – Sheryl Sandberg

🔑 Word of the year: Freedom

🔗 Listen now and join the conversation!

💬 What did you find most inspiring about Marta's journey? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

📢 Subscribe to Make Space for Growth for more inspiring conversations with female entrepreneurs and leaders!

Season 4 of Make Space for Growth is here, and this time we're exploring the theme of Strength. Hosted by Sara Vicente Barreto, this podcast celebrates the resilience, bold decisions, and leadership that drive women entrepreneurs and leaders to thrive in both business and life.

In this kickoff episode, Sara reflects on the personal and professional dimensions of strength, offering insights into what it means to navigate challenges and create impact. She also previews the incredible lineup of guests joining this season, including Marta Palmeiro of Student Finance, Katia Yakovleva of ContentRadar, and Carmen Alfonso Rico of Cocoa Ventures. Together, they'll share stories of determination, transformation, and growth.

Whether you're seeking inspiration, actionable advice, or just a moment to reflect, Season 4 is packed with empowering conversations to help you embrace your own strength and make space for growth.

Tune in and join the journey! 🎙️