“...I have been able to scale multiple businesses off of organic social media reach alone. No email marketing, no paid ads. Literally just organic reach. And word of mouth. And I mean, I think that speaks volumes to it.”
‍In this inspiring episode of Startups in Stilettos, we sit down with Entreprenista League member and Powerhouse Latina founder Nicole Leone—the dynamic force behind El Leone Virtual Assistance, a boutique executive support agency trusted by heart-led brands, boutique law firms, and scrappy scaling founders.Nicole takes us behind the scenes of her journey from “ex-corporate baddie” to self-made, bootstrapped entrepreneur. She opens up about the moments that pushed her out of corporate America, the lash business she built in her living room that gave her the freedom to leap, and how she transformed the very traits she was once criticized for—empathy, emotional intelligence, and connection—into her entrepreneurial superpowers.
What we talked about:
Starting the Virtual Assistant [3:15]
A Super Side Hustle [8:21]
Planning Online Content [12:20]
Using Social Media [15:27]
Being in the Right Alignment [19:51]
Connect with Nicole:
Website

@lleon.va or @thenicoleleon on Instagram

Nicole Leon on Linkedin
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Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

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Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

@itsingridsworld ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on ⁠Linkedin⁠

⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠

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Join hundreds of ambitious, purpose-driven founders at The PGA National Resort for a life-changing weekend of inspiration, motivation, and transformation for the 2026 Founders Weekend!

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Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the ⁠Entreprenista League ⁠today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!  

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Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website,⁠ social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

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