As I told you last Friday, Latinos in Social Media organized a unique event for the top Latina bloggers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and I had the fortune to be one of the invitees. The excitement I felt when I learned that I was going to be a part of the first ever Top Latina Blogger Retreat in Washington, DC was nothing compare to what I felt during those three days of intense emotions, conversations, debates, and of course, the visit to the White House.

My trip started with the right foot when Sunday morning I met with Jessie Nuez and Uchi Davidzon who were my trip mates on the train. The main subject of the trip where our respective children, the things they do, the day to day, the laughs, in general all of those things us moms can tell time after time without being tired.

However, now that I am reflecting on it, there was also another subject we had in common, our worry about the public school system, the expensive private schools are and how we have even considered moving from our area just based on their schools rating. Somehow, this conversation prepared us for what was to come the next day when we attended the briefing with the administration’s officials at the White House.

We arrived at the hotel and the always-pleasant Julie Diaz-Asper was welcoming us with her beautiful daughter who also happened to be an experienced photographer and very patiently took several shots. From there we went for a walk, lunch and more conversation and were ready for the official reception in which Ana Roca Castro welcomed us and talked a bit about what we should expect the next day.

On Monday we started early with the sessions and it was definitely throwing the body to the water immediately with high ranked executives from ten big companies whom talked about strategies ranging from how to approach brands to negotiation tactics to be successful entrepreneurs.

The second part of the morning we were able to have an individual session with the executive of our choice and I had the fortune to listen to excellent tips from a woman that is not only intelligent and a seasoned professional, but also with the willingness to serve as a mentor and helping me further than those 15 minutes of our conversation.

At noon, under a fine drizzle, we took taxis and went off to the West Wing of the White House where other powerful Latinas in managing positions within the Obama administration welcomed us and answer our questions.

Here are some images of what I experienced during those three days:

At the hotel lobby with my lovely traveling companions Jessie Nuez and Uchi Davidson

Ready to start with my device at hand, coffee and sparkling wine!

It’s beautiful when you can finally hug a friend with which that was the only thing pending.

Sharing and meeting so many talented women was one of the highlights of this retreat, here some of them:

Great excitement entering at the White House

An interesting panel where we were able to voice our opinions and ask questions to officials from the Obama administration.

On my next post I’ll tell you more about the laughs, friendly conversations, my ever-smiling roommate and other unforgettable anecdotes. Also, about what was discussed at the White House and the closing keynotes by the wonderful Angélica Pérez-Litwin, Jeannette Kaplun and Ana Flores I’ll tell you on the second part of this story.

What I can tell you is that I came armed with tools, motivation and the determination to take the step towards being a full-time entrepreneur.

This post is also available in: Spanish