Susie Haramillo knows how to build a brand. For years, she led one of the top multicultural

creative agencies in the U.S. Then she decided to apply that expertise to a brand of her own, Encanus, a media company

that designs, develops, and distributes animated films, books, and apps.

Today, I'm in Susie's home in Brooklyn, hoping to absorb her wisdom on branding,

pivoting mid-career, and staying focused on the purpose that drives her

business.

Susie, I was planning on starting this interview by telling you that because I know I was

interviewing you, I've been singing Los Boitos.

I mean, we sing that in my home all the time.

Awesome.

But, wow, I am with you on a big day for you.

Yeah, it's a very exciting day.

Two million dollars raised in an oversubscribed seed round.

Yeah, it's very exciting.

That's got to feel good.

The important thing is it shows how people really get the opportunity. It shows how, you know, the important thing is, is it's really, it shows how people really get the opportunity.

It shows how, you know, the investment community really understands the need for content and for brands that appeal to diverse markets, diverse kids, diverse families.

What was it like to walk into those rooms and make those pitches?

It was, I'm not going to lie, it was a little intimidating because, because I don't come

from finance. I've never raised money before. I got to walk in with my partner who's amazing and I have a fundamental belief that

if you be true to yourself, everything else will follow. It was my job in those rooms to tell the

story. That's all I had to do. I also really felt I walked into every single woman thinking,

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