Personal Growth Success Story: Lessons from Ana Maceda
Ana Maceda owner of Crown Cleaning, LLC. Photo by Jennifer Marquez / JEFAS Magazine
Discover Ana Maceda’s inspiring personal growth journey in 2025. Learn key lessons on resilience, mentorship, and success.
Personal Growth: Understand Yourself
Maceda’s story began with uncertainty. She spent her childhood at shelters and couch-surfing while her mom got her footing in a new country. “By the time I was a freshman in high school, I had already gone to 8 different schools,” she recalls, acknowledging how these experiences impacted her self-esteem. “I didn’t realize how low my self-love and personal growth was until I started learning about what it takes to love yourself.”
Key Action: Honestly assess your current self-perception to identify areas for personal development.
Convert Angst to Ambition
Working as a server, Maceda realized she wanted more for herself. The restaurant became Maceda’s self-imposed classroom for personal transformation. “I had to leave my attitude behind because, as a server, you can’t have a bad attitude. At every table, I greeted them like I already knew them and it started building up my self-confidence,” she says of challenging herself to greet customers with genuine warmth.
Key Actions:
- View every interaction as an opportunity to practice confidence and interpersonal skills.
- Be willing to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term growth.
Look for Signs of Growth Opportunities
After praying for signs of a larger purpose to her life, Maceda saw a social media post for the Latina Leadership Initiative (LLI) but had missed the application deadline. She didn’t ignore the sign; she prepared herself mentally and spiritually for an entire year. “I knew that it would require a whole new person, and I was really in love with my comfort zone.”
Graduating from LLI was only the beginning. She went on to spend twelve weeks sharpening her business skills through Drake University’s Business Accelerator Program. Besides marketing, pricing strategies, and financial techniques, one of the most valuable lessons she learned was how to craft an elevator pitch. “It’s about who you are because at the end of the day, that’s who they’re investing in; they’re not investing in XYZ business. They’re investing in you.”
Key Actions:
- Identify professional development programs
- Commit fully to learning opportunities
Identify Wins and Celebrate Progress
These programs transformed her perspective. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that it literally changed my life. It changed the way I think, talk, and act.” A pivotal moment came during an LLI session about imposter syndrome. “Si soy Latina, soy Mexicana in this space where no one looks like me,” she realized, embracing her unique identity. “Networking empowered me to start believing in myself because everybody feels the same way I do; they’re intimidated, they don’t want to put themselves out there, either.” She began to give herself credit for how far she had come.
Key Actions:
- Look for positive outcomes
- Celebrate your courage and progress, no matter how small they may seem.
Embrace Mentorship for Personal Growth
To attend LLI’s Saturday workshops Maceda sacrificed her most lucrative workday but, she gained in other ways. Her LLI mentor, Martha Sandoval, another Latina business owner, became crucial to her growth. “People want to help you. That’s one of the biggest things I’ve noticed in this journey as an entrepreneur.”
Key Actions:
- Actively seek mentors in your field to build a supportive professional network.
- Seek out and be open to guidance from those who have the knowledge you need.
Don’t Lose Faith in Your Success
During her first year operating Crown Cleaning, when financial struggles seemed overwhelming, faith and perseverance kept her focused. Wondering how she was going to pay rent and fill her gas tank, a client named Lori took a special interest in her. She saw a spark in Maceda. “She said, ‘I believe in you. You’ve got what it takes to make your dreams come true,’” recalls Maceda with tears in her eyes. She invested twenty-five thousand dollars in her business. “From then on, I knew I could not quit. I had to find out what was going to happen with my business.”
Key Actions:
- Maintain belief in yourself during challenging times
- Remain open to unexpected opportunities even when facing obstacles
Professional Development Strategies for Success
Maceda lives by these strategies to grow herself and her business:
- Start small: Use social media and local platforms like the Next-Door app to build clientele.
- Network intentionally: Talk to at least five new people at every event, and always exchange contact information. “Ask for coffee dates. Just say, ‘Hey, would you be willing to sit down with me for 30 minutes for a coffee?’” she advises.
- Challenge yourself: Participate in programs, people, and resources that help you grow as a person and professional, even if you have to make sacrifices to do so. Be fully present to get the most out of it.
Ana Maceda demonstrates that success isn’t about perfect circumstances but about persistent faith, continuous self-improvement, and the courage to step beyond comfort zones. For every dreamer feeling overwhelmed by obstacles, her journey whispers a powerful truth: Your greatest potential lies beyond your fears, discovered through resilience, learning from mistakes, and an unwavering belief in yourself.
