#4: 'Life Is For You To Be Happy, And For The People Around You To Be Happy' — Perennial Pen (What Matters Most): A Silver Maple Strategies Podcast with Nate Birt

In this episode, I visit with Nerma from Puerto Rico about entrepreneurship, motherhood, resilience, and the courage it takes to build a life that reflects what matters most to each of us.

Nerma shares how becoming a mother led her to pursue entrepreneurship--not as a glamorous escape, but as a practical way to create flexibility, stability, and dignity for her family. Along the way, she learned hard lessons about leadership, mistakes, team building, and the responsibility of helping others pursue their dreams.

What strikes me most about this conversation is Nerma's deep conviction that we already carry many of the tools we need. Her mother taught her resilience through hardship. A college professor reminded her to look inside of herself for everything she needed to be successful. And now, through her work with entrepreneurs, Nerma helps others see a path forward for themselves, their families, and their communities.

We also talk about life in Puerto Rico (and what outsiders often misunderstanda about it), the richness of family culture, and how to reframe your definition of success by focusing on the quality of your life and the happiness you are building, rather than on someone else's standards.

In this episode, we explore:

How motherhood shaped Nerma's path into entrepreneurship
Why mistakes are part of growth, not proof of failure
The responsibility of leading a team with humility and care
What Puerto Rico can teach us about family, place, and belonging
How parents can know if their efforts in raising their children are paying off
Why true success begins with knowing what makes you and your loved ones happy

Reflection question:
What definition of success are you living by right now—and is it truly your own?

Learn more about Nerma:

Connect with Nerma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nermaalbertorio/

Visit Nerma's website: https://nermaalbertorio.com/

Call to action:
If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email Nate at nate@silvermaplestrategies.com.