In a recent interview with Colombia One, Ana Maria Dueñas, a 25-year-old originally from Bogota, shared her fascinating life story as an immigrant, entrepreneur, and Colombian influencer in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She arrived in the United States three years ago as part of an exchange program, and since then, she has faced significant challenges that have shaped her personal and professional journey.
The Story of a Colombian Influencer in the US
Dueñas came to the United States three years ago through an Au Pair exchange program. “I’ve always believed that if you can do it, you should pursue it however you can,” she said.
Dueñas left her home in Bogota, where she lived with her parents and two siblings, to embark on a new life in an unfamiliar country. Despite the initial challenges, her determination pushed her forward. “It’s really hard, but it can be done,” she added, emphasizing that obstacles will always be present, but the key is to overcome them.
Arriving in the United States was not what Ana had envisioned. “I was very naive in many ways and didn’t know English. The adaptation process took me almost eight months, and sometimes there are still things I don’t understand,” Dueñas shared with Colombia One.
She lived with American families, which allowed her to get to know the local culture up close. However, the cultural shock was intense; habits, food, and even the language were constant challenges. Despite the difficulties, she found ways to enjoy her experience, turning each obstacle into an opportunity to learn and grow.
The balance between education and entrepreneurship
Currently, she is enrolled at the University of North Carolina, where she is studying Marketing. She combines her studies with entrepreneurship, managing her coursework alongside her business endeavors. “Studying and working is a challenge. Sometimes you feel like you won’t make it, especially when you decide to start a business,” Dueñas said.
After completing her Au Pair program, she realized that she needed to find her own path, and that’s when she decided to launch her own accessory brand, Duga Accessories, and her marketing company, Duga Digital.
The journey has not been easy. She has had to manage her time effectively to meet her academic obligations while growing her businesses. “It’s something that exhausts you, but it’s also incredibly rewarding,” she confessed. Her passion for creativity and her desire to inspire other young au pairs have led her to become a role model in her community.
Breaking barriers through entrepreneurship
Dueñas discovered that many of the barriers she thought existed for starting a business in the United States were not as insurmountable as she had believed. “I didn’t know that anyone in the United States could create a business, even with just their home country’s ID. That broke down many barriers I thought existed,” Ana shared.
This realization allowed her to move forward with her own business and motivate others in her community. Her work has been a source of inspiration for many women, proving that regardless of their situation, they can pursue their dreams and carve out their own paths.
The importance of networking and her pride in being Colombian
Dueñas shared, “I’ve always believed it’s not the best product that sells, but the best-known one. In Colombia and here, everything is about connections.”
Through her social media, she has established valuable connections that have propelled her career. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and more than 700,000 followers on TikTok, she has become an influential voice within the Colombian community in North Carolina, using her platform to foster connections among immigrants and provide useful resources.
“I’m the #1 Colombian female influencer here in North Carolina. It’s a pride to show that Colombians have that spark to reinvent themselves,” Dueñas shared with us.
She feels proud to represent her country in a place where the Colombian community is still growing. Her success has inspired others to follow in her footsteps, reminding them that there is always room to grow and contribute anywhere in the world.
Cultural shocks and lessons learned
“One thing I still struggle with is spicy food… and the dishwasher. I didn’t know how it worked,” Dueñas shared.
Despite the challenges, she approaches her experiences with humor and gratitude. From learning to handle the spice in local food to adapting to household appliances, each experience has been a learning opportunity that has contributed to her personal growth.
On the other hand, she says, “Starting a business has been more painful than any heartbreak I’ve had… I try to keep everything super organized.”
Her life is a constant balance between her responsibilities and her aspirations. Despite the difficulties, she stays focused on her goal: securing a prosperous future for her family back in Colombia. Her organization and the formation of a team allow her to manage her growing workload.
Her story is an inspiration for many young people seeking to forge their own paths abroad, always remembering that, as she says, “if it can be done, you have to pursue it however you can.” With each step she takes, Dueñas not only builds her future but also empowers others to follow their dreams and break the barriers they may encounter along the way.