When you start a company that helps women founders and specializes in growing companies that help make women’s lives easier, you sometimes feel like a super hero.
That’s why this founder named her company after Wonder Woman.
If female empowerment were something you could bottle, Hope Alcocer would be selling it. Instead she helps women through her unique blend of PR and marketing services, social media, podcasting production and everything else required to grow a brand and engage an audience these days.
Here is advice from Hope, who is the Founder and Owner of Wonder Woman Media. It comes to you absolutely free. Let it inspire you to grow your brand and feel a little like a superhero in your own work life.
About Hope: She is on a mission to help female founders and brands grow through a signature blend of creativity, curiosity and dedication. She has worked on Fortune 500 companies, startups and small businesses, and is a motivational speaker on the topic of female empowerment and mental health. She has also written two books. She also is open about the fact that she suffered trauma in the form of a brain injury and has had to pick up the pieces and put her life back together. Today she has more to offer others because of her early struggles.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“Dear Younger Self, learn to sit with the discomfort of silence and truly listen to your intuition. Those feelings of uncertainty and discomfort — the ‘yuck’ moments — are important signs. Deep down, you know the right steps to take. It’s crucial to tune out the noise and focus on what your gut is telling you.”
Regrettably, before undergoing intense trauma therapy and healing, I made several poor decisions regarding the men in my life. These choices compromised my safety, financial stability, and overall well-being. I own these decisions, but I also recognize that I spent my vibrant late 20s and early 30s with people who were not for my highest good, despite knowing they weren’t right.
Learning to trust and act on my inner voice earlier would have changed much, steering me towards a path better aligned with my true self. I didn’t need to call my mom for advice or poll the group chat. I knew what to do deep down – but I had to love myself to trust myself.
You inspire women through your leadership. Who was your inspiration?
Leadership has always been a part of my identity. As the eldest of three and the oldest cousin in my family, leadership roles naturally fell to me. But more importantly, my Armenian heritage played a significant role. I grew up surrounded by strong female figures—my grandmother, mother, and aunts were all formidable leaders, setting a powerful example from my earliest days.
My mother, in particular, has been my greatest inspiration. She was a single mom during my early years and taught me the value of self-reliance and listening to my intuition, which she whimsically referred to as your “Jiminy Cricket.” Her resilience in the face of life’s many challenges is something I aspire to emulate daily. She embodies the qualities of a true ‘Wonder Woman,’ continually demonstrating strength and courage that inspire not only me, but everyone around her.
What advice do you give to someone who says, “I could never do that”? How Do You help others get started?
Entrepreneurship isn’t a path that suits everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. After a personal setback and a few years in corporate roles to stabilize financially, I realized that working under someone else’s vision, especially when it felt disconnected from my own aspirations, wasn’t for me. However, it’s essential to recognize that many people find fulfilling careers and success working for others, contributing to projects that align with their skills and goals.
For those pondering whether they could “do that” and embark on an entrepreneurial journey, my advice is to start small. Take one step each day toward your goal, tackling the easiest tasks on your to-do list that bring you closer to your dreams. This approach helps build momentum without the overwhelming pressure of big leaps.
If you find yourself drawn to the idea of working independently, proceed thoughtfully and at your own pace. Entrepreneurship requires not just passion but also immense discipline and effective time management. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who are ready, it can be incredibly rewarding.
How do you stay motivated to keep going once you’ve met your goals?
Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever meet all my goals, so there’s always something to keep me busy! My motivation works a lot like a marriage, and since I’m married, I find this metaphor quite apt. It ebbs and flows. When my motivation peaks, so do my inspiration and creativity—I ride that wave, making the most of the productivity surge, much like rekindling the excitement of a first date in a long-term relationship.
Then, inevitably, there are lows, which are just as normal. During these quieter times, I practice self-compassion, avoiding self-criticism for not always being ‘on.’ This gentleness is crucial, especially since these phases often align with my mental health status or even my hormonal cycles. Just like in a marriage, it’s about rolling with the highs and lows and remembering that the only person responsible for reigniting my inner fire is me.
Do you have a mantra or words you live by that have helped you through tough times and kept you going?
Yes, there’s a particular mantra that has been a guiding light for me: “There is just enough light for the step you’re on.” This profound piece of wisdom comes from a book by Stormie Omartian, which resonated deeply within my family during my childhood. Growing up as an anxious child, always bracing for the next challenge, this quote instilled in me a sense of calm and focus. It reminds me to concentrate on the present, anchoring me in the now rather than worrying about the unknown future. I find solace in planning and dreaming, but I’ve learned the importance of living in the moment, trusting that the next steps will reveal themselves in due time.
Anything Else We Should Know About You?
One aspect of my journey that has profoundly shaped who I am today is my experience with cognitive issues and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during college—this challenging period forced me to pivot from my original plan of becoming a psychologist to pursuing my first love—writing and creativity. While this story is well-documented online, pushing it to the side or the back burner can be tempting because of how often it’s been discussed.
However, moments in my current life and career continually remind me of its importance, especially in relation to my resilience. Navigating life with cognitive impairments taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the significance of mental health. These lessons have shaped my personal life and significantly influenced my professional approach, making me more empathetic, patient, and driven to create meaningful and impactful work.
This journey also led me to discover the power of storytelling and the potential of digital marketing. What started as a necessity turned into a passion, propelling me into a fulfilling career where I can help others tell their stories and achieve their goals. My experience has given me a unique perspective on overcoming adversity and has fueled my commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs through my work at Wonder Woman Media LLC.
The Power of Resilience to Propel You Forward
Furthermore, my journey continues to impact me profoundly, especially as I navigate new challenges in my life, such as those related to my husband’s and my fertility journey. These experiences are powerful reminders of my resilience and the strength I’ve built over the years. They inspire me to keep pushing forward and to support others in their journeys.
Beyond the professional realm, I am deeply passionate about female empowerment and mental health advocacy. These causes are close to my heart, and I strive to incorporate them into everything I do, whether through my motivational speaking, writing, or day-to-day interactions with clients.
My journey is a testament to the idea that challenges can become opportunities. They can lead us to paths we never imagined and help us grow in ways we never thought possible. I am grateful for my journey and the resilience it has instilled in me, and I hope to inspire others to embrace their challenges and turn them into strengths.
Follow Hope:
- IG:@hopealcocer
- Tiktok: @hopealcocer
- Threads: @hopealcocer
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hopealcocer
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