I was born in Ecuador and raised in Brooklyn, New York — the oldest of four kids in a loud, loving, and fiercely hardworking immigrant family. Life in New York gave me grit, hustle, and a deep love for dancing. Eventually, we moved to Ohio, where I graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Welding Engineering.
Driven by that vision, I enrolled in dental school at Ohio State with dreams of becoming an orthodontist. But somewhere along the way, self-doubt crept in. Orthodontics is one of the most competitive specialties, and I convinced myself I wasn’t good enough. So I became a general dentist instead, moved to Texas, married my husband Eddy, and practiced for four years. But the dream of orthodontics never went away.
Eventually, I hit a “now or never” moment — and this time, I chose now. I applied, got accepted to the orthodontics residency at Oregon Health & Science University, and graduated in 2012. I thought I’d head back to Texas, but the Universe had other plans…
Started 85 new patients at Castilla Ortho
By the end of the year, Castilla Ortho is on the verge of bankruptcy
Joined an orthodontic business mastermind group called ProOrtho FE
I’m finally able to start paying myself from the practice
Wrote and published a book called, “The Smile of Your Life”
Wrote down my goal of becoming a Tony Robbins Platinum Partner while attending a “Date With Destiny” in Sydney, Australia
I discontinue Invisalign at my practice as I refine my business’s Value Proposition
At the end of the year, we purchase our dream home
Castilla Orthodontics wins the “Best Orthodontist” for the second year in a row
Speak at the 2022 Women in Orthodontics Conference
Speak at the 2022 ProOrtho FE Meeting
My dream of becoming a Tony Robbins Platinum Member comes true
Speak at the 2024 Women in Orthodontics Conference
Join the Board of Directors for Image Specialty Partners
Purchased a small orthodontics practice in Salem, Oregon and Castilla Orthodontics is born
In January, I charge $26K on my credit card to hire a consultant for my practice even though I have no money
Business slowly starts to pick up
Eddy takes me on my dream trip to London for my 40th birthday
Got a life coach and began attending Tony Robbins events
Featured on the cover of The Progressive Orthodontist Magazine
Castilla Ortho wins “Best Orthodontist” in the Best of the Mid-Valley Contest
I tell my husband at an Orthodontic Conference of my secret goal to start 1,000 new patients within 5 years
Appear on Univision and King5 News Seattle
Get interviewed for Third Age, Family Circle, New York Post, Elite Daily, Healthline and other publications
Become a columnist for a local magazine called MOM magazine for 2.5 years
Start business school full-time to pursue an MBA while working full time at my practice
My practice doubles in size from the previous year and we start 1,025 new patients, meeting my secret goal in only 3 years
I become a proud Dog Mom to my beautiful baby girls, Thelma and Louise
Graduated from the University of Illinois with an MBA.
Appear as a guest on the GrowOrtho podcast
Exit my business in an 8-figure deal and partnership
Castilla Ortho wins “Best Orthodontist” for the 6th year in a row
Go on an epic trip to Greece to celebrate my 50th birthday
Start QueenMode Podcast
