When I was a child, I desperately wanted a piano. Every day, for an entire year, I relentlessly asked my father to buy one. Finally, after 365 days of persistence, my dad caved and bought the piano, joking that he did it just to "shut me up." That moment was pivotal. It wasn’t just about the piano—it was about discovering the tenacity within me, a trait that has defined my life ever since. Born in Lima, Peru, I was the middle child of three sisters. I was a tomboy through and through, far more comfortable in penny loafers and baggy clothes, pulling pranks like putting liquid paper in a fish tank, and preferring the company of my boy cousins over dolls and dresses. I often found myself in trouble at school, where teachers would say, “Why can’t you be more like your sister?” But I was never one to fit neatly into expectations. I loved coloring outside the lines. My mom was the disciplinarian in our household. She insisted on academic excellence and often reminded me, "Clase hecha, clase estudiada," and "Make your own money." These values—independence, self- reliance, and the importance of education—became central in my upbringing. From my mother, I inherited my sense of urgency, persistence, and determination. On the other hand, my father’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for life left a lasting impression on me. A civil engineer by trade and a businessman at heart, he introduced me to the finer things in life—new technologies, the best Italian, Japanese and Peruvian restaurants, the latest and greatest in music, and the world of civil engineering. I was fascinated by his work. I looked forward to visiting construction sites and his office, where I would watch architects draw up plans, igniting my passion for math and science, subjects I quickly excelled in. Growing up in Peru during times of political unrest, with terrorism, bombings, and food shortages as part of daily life, I learned resilience. I remember studying by flashlight during blackouts, always aware of the looming danger. It was during these years that I became obsessed with the idea of freedom, a desire that grew after my first visit to Disney World when I was 12. For 5 years, from the ages of 12 to 17, moving to America was all I could talk about. My Dad knew it was inevitable – it was the piano story all over again. Chasing the American Dream At 17, after years of dreaming, I finally left Peru and came to the America on an international student visa to attend Florida International University. It was an exciting yet challenging and intimidating time in my life. I struggled with homesickness. Sundays were the hardest, as my family would gather in Peru and call me, reminding me of how far I was from home. I also had to navigate the language barrier, spending hours translating math concepts from English to Spanish with a dictionary. It took twice the effort, but I was determined to succeed. And succeed I did. I graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 1998, followed by an M.S. in Engineering in 2000. These degrees opened the door to the professional engineering world, where I began as a PE Trainee with the Florida Department of Transportation. My career path took me across Florida and beyond, from North Carolina to Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast, and more. I followed opportunities wherever they led, never hesitating to relocate or take on new challenges. I was relentless in my pursuit of advancement, just like I was when I wanted that piano. Eventually, this persistence led me to my role as Director of Operations at GBF Engineering, where I later became a partner and Vice President. Where There Is a Roadblock, There Is Always a Detour The decision to start my own business was never part of some grand plan, but after experiencing entrepreneurship firsthand at GBF, it was challenging to enter the corporate world once GBF was acquired by JMT. My time at JMT was invaluable—I gained deeper insights into business operations, mergers and acquisitions and expanded my knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines in Florida and other states. One of the proudest moments of my career came when I was appointed as the company’s first female on its Board of Directors, a milestone that signified not just personal achievement, but progress for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Despite these accomplishments, I found myself longing for something different. While corporate life offered stability, growth and opportunities for travel, it lacked the dynamic, hands-on approach that I craved. I missed the freedom and sense of ownership that came with working in a small business, and more importantly, I wanted to make a difference in the Florida engineering community. I wanted the flexibility to set my own course, to make decisions that aligned with my vision of building something meaningful and contributing to the field of engineering through the mentoring of young engineers new to the industry. Call me Frank Sinatra for wanting to do it my way, but that's exactly what I wanted. I wanted to do it my way...and I did. I Did It My Way! I remember waking up the morning of Monday August 6, 2018, thinking “I have no job! What the hell did I do!” I had never “not have a job” since I was 17. Panic mode set in once I started second guessing my decision to venture out on my own, but I pulled myself together and went into my home office. At that time, I only had a $20 folding table, one chair and a $600 laptop from Costco in my office. I had gone from “big picture” VP to a “tuning the TV” Admin now burdened with details like formatting word documents, searching for FDOT Ads and inserting signatures into PDF documents. Despite the challenges, I stayed the course and can now look back on that first day with no regrets. Every sleepless night spent pacing, debating everything from growth strategies to simply keeping the lights on was completely worth it. Reflecting on how far I’ve come, the lives I’ve impacted, and the goals achieved is nothing short of a blessing. Mission Complete? Having the freedom to create and foster a work environment that reflects the values I hold dear— collaboration, mentorship and community impact— has been at the heart of my joy as a business owner. Every project K-Factor takes on is an opportunity to not only contribute to Florida’s infrastructure but also to mentor the next generation of engineers, especially young women looking to make their mark in the field. Looking back, I am proud of the road I’ve taken. It’s been a journey of risk taking, adaptability and determination. In spite of what has been accomplished, there is still so much to do - I want to be everywhere, but I can’t. For me, success will be measured when the mission is complete, and the mission is still ongoing. As the journey continues, one thing will remain unchangeable: my unwavering commitment to doing things my way—passionately, purposefully and with the intent on making a difference in the lives of those I serve, lead and mentor.