Not Your Spicy Latina

15: How a Big 4 Accountant Turned TikToker Became a Nonprofit CEO | Sophia Zarate

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From working at a Big 4 accounting firm to winning Bad Bunny's TikTok contest, Sophia’s journey shows that anything is possible! What started as a mission to make new friends in New York City became Corporate Pero Latinos—a thriving nonprofit and ultimate hub for Latino professionals. In this episode, Sophia spills the tea about quitting her corporate job, maxing out credit cards, and working at a gym to keep her dream alive. Now with 700+ active members, three chapters, a scholarship fund, and programs empowering the next generation of Latinos, Sophia is proof that taking risks can pay off. Whether you're building something from scratch or navigating corporate America, get ready for some real talk about grit, resilience, and the power of community.



In this episode:

  • How Sophia went from small-town Texas to the Big Apple

  • The accidental birth of Corporate Pero Latinos (CPL)

  • The real (and sometimes messy) story behind running a nonprofit

  • All the cool stuff CPL does now: throwing epic carne asadas, helping Latino professionals level up their careers, and giving back through ESL classes and scholarships.

  • The behind-the-scenes tea on building a thriving community.


    • You’ll walk away with these practical career tips:

    • Get your money right before taking a big career leap or starting a passion project

    • Build your network through genuine friendships

    • Don’t be afraid of "smaller" jobs: no job is beneath you when you’re chasing a bigger dream.

    • Use every experience to your advantage

    • Know when to quit and move on



      • Connect with Sophia:

      Tik Tok (personal)

      Instagram (personal)

      Tik Tok (CPL)

      Instagram (CPL)

      Website



      • Connect with Fiorella:

      ⁠Website⁠

      ⁠Linktree⁠

      ⁠Book Free Discovery Call⁠

      ⁠YouTube⁠

      ⁠LinkedIn⁠

      ⁠Instagram (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠

      ⁠Instagram (Latinas Ahead)⁠

      ⁠Tik Tok (Not Your Spicy Latina)⁠

      ⁠Tik Tok (Fiorella Lopez Lima)⁠




      Timestamps

      (00:00) Welcome to Not Your Spicy Latina

      (00:51) Episode Overview

      (01:42) Episode Kickoff

      (01:52) Growing Up in Texas 

      (03:01) Moving to NYC & Joining ALPFA

      (04:56) Entering Big 4 Accounting World

      (05:49) Navigating Corporate Identity as a Latina 

      (09:53) Birth of Corporate Pero Latinos (CPL) 

      (13:43) Becoming a Community Builder

      (17:15) Establishing CPL as a Nonprofit Organization 

      (20:29) Financial Struggles & Mental Health

      (27:16) Finding Balance Between CPL and Full-Time Job

      (28:13) CPL's Mission and Pillars 

      (30:12) Advice for Listeners

      (31:02) Connecting with Sophia

      (31:50) Connecting with Fiorella

      ...more
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      Not Your Spicy LatinaBy Fiorella Lopez Lima | Career Mindset Coach and Founder of Latinas Ahead