Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Vazquez.
Hi Erica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and at the age of three, I immigrated to the U.S. with my mother to reunite with my father, who was working in the fields of Virginia Beach. As the eldest of four, I learned resilience and determination early on—qualities that continue to guide me today.
Now, I’m a proud mother of two, Analia and Emiliano, and a grateful wife to my husband, Egadiel. My family is my foundation and motivation.
Professionally, I spent nine years in banking, most recently as a Financial Inclusion Leader at Truist, where I focused on expanding access to financial services in underserved communities. My passion for this work actually started much earlier—when I was a cashier at Piggly Wiggly in Broadway during my teenage years. Local farmers would ask me to translate their mail, and helping them sparked the purpose I still carry: empowering others through education and access.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina. This past June marked my one year anniversary in the role, and what started as a leap of faith has become one of the best decisions of my career. Every day, I have the privilege of supporting women and minority entrepreneurs alongside my amazing team, helping them start and grow their businesses while building more inclusive, thriving communities.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like anything, the road has had its highs and lows. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced throughout my life is imposter syndrome—those moments of questioning whether I truly belonged in a certain seat or at a certain table. What has carried me through is the constant support of my husband and community, who remind me that I do have what it takes and that I’ve earned my place.
Because I know how powerful that encouragement can be, I strive to do the same for others. Whether it’s women, minority entrepreneurs, or colleagues, I want to remind them of their worth and help them see that they, too, deserve a seat at the table, That shared strength is what keeps us all moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the Women’s Business Center of NC we have the privilege of supporting women and minority entrepreneurs as they start and grow their businesses. While we provide tools, coaching, and resources, what we truly specialize in is building community. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to feel lonely, and we’ve been intentional about creating a space where entrepreneurs can lean on each other—and on us—as they navigate their journeys. We do this through our various cohorts and networking socials that foster both learning and connection.
There are many things I am proud of, but if I had to highlight one, it would be the significant expansion of visibility and awareness for the Women’s Business Center of NC in just one year. That visibility has allowed us to reach more entrepreneurs and bring them into a supportive ecosystem.
What sets us apart is the environment we’ve built—one where entrepreneurs can show up as their authentic selves, form genuine bonds, and even lifelong friendships. That sense of belonging makes the hard work of entrepreneurship a little lighter and a lot more rewarding.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my fondest childhood memories is of our family road trips to Mexico. Every few years, we would pack up the car and drive about 35 hours across the states. I always sat in the front, squeezed between my dad and his second driver, and I made it my mission to keep the driver entertained so they wouldn’t fall asleep—I absolutely loved it.
The best part was always arriving. Both of my parents come from large families with eight siblings each, so with all my cousins, most of my family is in Mexico. My dad’s hometown is a small village surrounded by breathtaking mountains, lush greenery, and fruit trees—mangoes, bananas, ciruelas, and more. My grandparents’ home sat right by a gorgeous emerald-green river, and I can still remember climbing mango trees and savoring that fresh, sweet taste. Even now, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Those trips are some of my happiest memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theinstitutenc.org/programs/wbcnc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomensBusinessCenterofNC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-v-2a5a44230/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/19076869/admin/dashboard/
