Episode 29

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Published on:

4th Mar 2025

Embracing Hardship with Erika Aquino

What do you have to lose when everything is on the line?

On today’s episode of She Wears the Pants, Ashley is joined by powerhouse entrepreneur, angel investor, and mentor Erika Aquino. 

Tune in to hear Ashley & Erika discuss: 

  • How hardship shapes the most successful entrepreneurs 
  • Balancing profit with purpose in business 
  • The art of pitching—what investors really want to hear 
  • The key questions founders should ask before taking on angel investors 
  • Why vulnerability and mentorship are non-negotiables for growth

Erika’s story is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and making a difference. 

If you've ever wondered what it takes to lead with both heart and business acumen, this episode is for you!

About Our Guest:

Erika Aquino is an angel investor, entrepreneur, and advocate for amplifying underrepresented voices through impactful ventures. With a background spanning corporate giants like Shell and Sunlife Asset Management, she now invests in industries like wellness, sustainability, education, and agriculture.

From co-owning an award-winning craft beer company to facilitating transformative travel experiences for first-generation college students, Erika is dedicated to creating opportunities and driving change. Her expertise blends corporate leadership with startup innovation, making her a powerhouse in both investment and mentorship.

Learn More About Erika:

https://www.erika-aquino.com/ 


Remember, stay confident, stay focused, and keep wearing those pants with pride.

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Grab Ashley’s free 5 Day Podcast Series, “The Unstoppable CEO Mindset”, https://ashleydeland.com/unstoppable-ceo-mindset 

Follow Ashley on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashleydeland/ 

Schedule a Consultation: https://ashleydeland.com/inquire

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About the Podcast

She Wears the Pants
She Wears the Pants is the podcast for the women building more than businesses—they’re building identities, empires, and legacies.

Hosted by globally recognized business advisor, multi-business founder, and start-up investor Ashley Deland, this show lives at the intersection of strategy, structure, and self. Each week, Ashley pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes for women to scale companies that are financially sound, spiritually aligned, energetically sustainable, and structurally unshakeable.

This is where high-growth women founders come for boardroom-level strategy, identity evolution, feminine leadership, and the inner work required to hold the success they’re building.

Because strategy means nothing if the woman behind it can’t hold it.

Continue the Work with Ashley:

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She Wears the Pants is where high-growth women come to build companies that match their calling. If this episode resonated, follow, rate, and review so more women can find these conversations.

About your host

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Ashley Deland