Having moved to the United States from Colombia at eleven years old, Laura is no stranger to stepping out of her comfort zone and being flexible. Having to learn a new language, find a new friend group, and navigating an unfamiliar environment taught Laura the value of hard work and adaptability early in life. This difficult transition molded Laura into the person she is today and has helped her in all aspects of her life, including her professional life.
In her early 20's, Laura decided to take a leap of faith and start her own nanny agency. Although it was a risk to start a business with limited experience, Laura knew that with hard work she would learn the ins and outs of the business. Being the brains of the company, she worked with all the numbers and behind-the-scenes organization it takes to run a business and quickly learned that she was really good at it.
Laura decided to invest in her talent for business management and enrolled in college to get a degree in business administration. Laura worked her way through college, and after many long nights of studying she graduated in December 2019 from Valencia College. Accomplishing this difficult feat, Laura felt empowered. Her passion for business administration and eagerness to learn as much as possible lead her to reach out to Pete Zimek, CEO and Founder of iLS Network, and ask to shadow him. After shadowing Pete and learning more about the business, Laura was asked to come work for iLS Network full-time as our Accounting Manager!
As the Accounting Manager for iLS Network, Laura's typical work week consists of processing customer payments and invoices, following up on outstanding accounts, and processing new contracts, finding ways to improve current office/accounting manager processes, coordinating monthly meetings, and finding ways for the remote team to gather and stay connected. If you're one of our customers, you've probably had the opportunity to speak to Laura before as she worked to set up your account and make sure invoices are paid on time. Laura's team is so thankful for her meticulous eye for detail and perfectionist mentality. When we asked Laura what she loves about her job she replied, "Everything." She noted that she truly appreciates how the company values their employees and treats everyone with the upmost respect.
When Laura isn't at work, she is probably planning her next big trip! With a passion for exploring the world, Laura and her husband prioritize traveling and are always saving up money and paid time off for their next adventure. Of all the places she has gone, her favorite remains her birth home- Colombia. The food, people, mountains, and nostalgic memories have become her happy place.