May the sauce with be with you

Sofia Vargara the highest paid actor on TV

“The “secret sauce.” Everybody wants it. What is it?

From the economic success of Latinas dishing it up in media, entertainment, and business, I’d say that Latina “salsa” is the new secret sauce.

The warmth, family values and history of Latin life are making it to the mainstream. From food, to entertainment to clothing and home furnishings here are a few Latinas who are bringing their own secret sauce to the table for everyone to enjoy.

Christina, a media mogul and host of Emmy Award-winning “El Show de Cristina” was named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by Time Magazine. She is the first Spanish-language television personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her style is primarily as a journalist in support of life changing self empowerment messages. Her 24/7 programming is available on television and radio. But she is not limited to media, her Casa Christina brand of home furnishings. Bravo Christina!

Sofia Vergara (the highest paid actor on TV), is well-known for her comedic style and adorable Spanish accent. But this beauty is not lacking for brains either! In her native Columbia, Sofia was studying for a degree in dentistry before she switched gears. With her mega watt smile and talent, she probably have single-handedly eliminated all fear of going to the dentist. In addition to acting, she is opening a new clothing line for K-Mart, targeting soccer moms. Good thing she is designing clothes, because her tweet of a backstage wardrobe function at the Emmys got more likes than cake at a birthday party.

What is the secret sauce?

secret sauce / Web definitions: A secret ingredient is a component of a product that is closely guarded from public disclosure for competitive advantage.

Apparently, its knowing your customer and giving the people what they want. Hispanics account for more than half the U.S. population increase over the last decade. This is a powerful consumer base ~ it may account for the explosion of Latin culture into the mainstream.

For Chef Lorena Garcia, the secret sauce is taking the everyday Latin comida (Spanish for food) and turning into a new menu item. The consumer reviews are good for this product and it is competitively priced. Muy bueno!

There could be a little latin in all of us as the culture goes into the mainstream. Rice and beans (a food staple in Latin households) is also a great dish among vegetarians because it is a complete protein meal. I recently met a Polish gentlemen who happens to married to a woman from Puerto Rico. The guy told me that he does “all the cooking at home” and gave me his own recipe for rice and beans that includes kilbasa and a few other secret ingredients. I will have to try it, Amigo! Get rice and beans recipes here.

Speaking of flavor, Gina Torres brings flavor to savor to the big screen TV Gina Torres in her lead role as the head partner in charge on the television hit series ‘Suits’. She is mixed race, but I feel that latina anima (latina soul) right through those pixels! She plays the role of a head strategist in a law firm and uses her brains as her brawn. Her role is inspiration to our up and coming lawyers who will get a playbook by watching this actor in charge.

And of course, there’s JLo, our own ‘Jenny from the Block’, the forever Fly Girl as the Grammy winner inspires us to keep on singing and to keep on loving – as we watch her latest moves. JLo is also a shrewd business woman who has her own clothing and perfume lines. She has probably done more to inspire the explosion of ZUMBA dancing than anyone else. It’s all hips and swivel for exercise and weight loss. Very JLo and hipsanic, if you ask me!

Everyone has their own secret sauce.

All you need is your own secret recipe ~ the one that gets you paid. The ingredients are a mix of your talents and the qualities that cause people to know, like, trust about you. It’s what they buy, when they buy you. The receipe is what your brand brings to the global economy. That’s your “IT” factor.

You surely have an “IT” factor, because everyone is unique. You have your own #hashtag, and it’s YOURS.

As we approach 12 21 12 and the winter solstice and whatever endings the Mayans foretold (aha! hispanic again), I hope there is a new beginning just around the bend.

May the sauce be with you!

Aquí se pone la salsa! Max lo consigue!

*****

Candi Sparks is the author of children’s books about money “Can I Have Some Money?” Max Gets It!, Nacho Money and other titles. Her upcoming titles include “Sold Out” and “Smart & Pretty” and her money books for young people focus on building community and entrepreneurship. She is the Dean of Young and Rising Moguls at World of Money and a Brooklyn mother of two, on Facebook and Twitter (Candi Sparks, author).