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Meet Andrea Rivera of Sol Food Podcast in Laveen

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Rivera.

Andrea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I feel like a fish out of water – I’m usually the one asking this question to others so the tables have definitely turned. Well, I was born in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and immigrated to the states when I was three years old with my parents. From that age, I remember them teaching me to take advantage of good opportunities and create the life I wanted so I would never feel too tired to contribute to or invest in every single day – so I did. From there, I became a student, then sister, to high school graduate, community college starter, corporate ladder climber, homeowner, and now podcast host & the Sol Food brand founder. Along the way, I dabbled in storytelling, networking, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. I always had an idea of what I wanted to be but could never hone in and say “this is exactly what I should be doing” till one day, I found myself in a “gem worthy” conversation with one of my mom’s clients (my mom does hair, and yes, she is the best) and asked myself – “Why do I have the privilege of hearing this? I can’t be the only one who gets to be a part of this conversation? Someone else should be listening to this”. It wasn’t just this one time occurrence either, it constantly happened to me. The conversation would start innocent and simple, then somehow we ended up in religion, and what inspires us, or what not to do at 21 years old and where to invest as soon as you have the chance. I felt so lucky yet selfish at the same time. You can say the privilege got to me and coincidentally at the same time, I had just discovered podcasts and motivational speakers on YouTube, and it just clicked and made sense. All that was left was to find a quiet room to host them in which for now are the Study Rooms at South Mountain Community College’s Library – I got lucky to be aware of it to say the least.

Has it been a smooth road?
Creatively, yes and I know how immensely of a blessing that is so I am grateful for the growth and exposure that’s happening exponentially. I think its also due to to the fact that I love what I do, I don’t mind spending countless hours editing or recruiting – when you love what you do, you flow for the most part.

In my life and in general, there have been tough obstacles, and they’re pretty significant to the point where I myself sometimes have a hard time wrapping my head around the things I’ve been able to accomplish, nothing severe but definitely impactful. Here are the main two: I am a daughter, support system, and right hand to a single mother, a single mother who is an immigrant, and who for most of her life, till now has spoken mainly Spanish. I’m also a DACA recipient and a proud one at that. The hardest part is not attending school – at the moment that is on pause till I can fully pay without drowning in student loans as I have to pay out-of-state tuition regardless of living in Arizona my whole life. The other part is the uncertainty of “will I be here tomorrow? Could this all be taken away? Is my American Dream over in two years, or until I have to renew my authorization? Will my mom make it home safely today? Should I even try if my status is temporary?” For the most part they’re questions I ask myself, but I try to flip the script and use it as fuel and inspiration, so that if one day, this is taken from me, I’d be able to say “I did everything I could with the time I was allowed”, and be an example to my sister and others of “Everything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it, regardless of any boundaries thrown at you.” My obstacles made me the person I am today and I firmly believe that you need to struggle in order to earn things, to learn the meaning of things. I could’ve had it worse. But I also could’ve had it easier. Regardless, I wouldn’t trade my life or path for anything in the world – I’m proud of who I became at the end of the day.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sol Food Podcast – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sol Food is my pride and joy – it is my podcast platform. I interview creatives, entrepreneurs, people with vision, neighbors with a story, or friends with dreams of a bigger life. My platform is the place to come and share yourself, your opinion, your story, your sorrows, your greatest accomplishments, your art, your business and ideas. I have good friends also referring to me and the podcast as “The Bridge” since I’m good at connecting creatives with other creatives or local businesses with entrepreneurs. I’m somewhat like Voyage Phoenix but in audio form!

Sol Food wants to give you the freedom to share what makes you you, or what gets you inspired, or who you hope to be one day. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about humans with this platform is that we long to share our experiences, we long for someone to ask, “Why are you this way?” or “What have you gone through?” With those talks, a sort of magic happens – inspiration brews and the listener who is tuning in gets moved by the story or business we’re covering and it gives them that “I can do it too” push or “There is more to look forward to than where I am now, I just have to look for it” mindset or shift.

Sol Food was cultivated on the goal for the listener to get motivated and become who you want to be, by hearing paths and taking advice, or comparing and sharing faults or journeys but realizing that there is more to you if you just went out and looked for it.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The best thing about Phoenix is that it’s going through this renaissance of art and technology. It is up and coming, we don’t have a set sound, or art style, or significant celebrity who put us on the map. Arizona is out there and open to be artistically claimed or represented by anyone who is willing to stand out in their uniqueness or overwhelming talent. It’s fair game, the world is yours, or in this case Arizona is.

Not so much a dislike but I would like to see more local support from Phoenix – support your artistic friend and buy a frame, buy beats from your neighbor, or attend your cousin’s clothing drop.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
#EdelHilfiger Photography

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