Entrepreneur, mother of 4, and founder of Madre Amiga, Ichi opens the doors to her personal and professional story with no filters. In this episode, she talks about mental health, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the invisible pressure that many women feel to have to be “super” all the time. An honest, inspiring testimonial full of real-life lessons. Topics we explore 00:00 Intro 2:05 Why was Madre Amiga born? 5:29 I enter depression 07:13 Entrepreneurship, a great weight 10:55 Motherhood and entrepreneurship 17:56 Entrepreneurs vs. big companies 21:00 Women vs. men 22:25 Women now have to be SUPER 28:00 What happened with Madre Amiga Montecarmelo? 35:08 Now I'm going to talk about Google reviews 42:33 How to make bread 45:45 Children, adolescence, and social media Most important moments Entrepreneurship with Madre Amiga Origins and purpose [02:18]: Ichi explains that Madre Amiga was born during a post-COVID depression and that the project "saved" her. Her husband, Hugo, partnered with Begoña San Pedro (La Amiguiña), an artisanal baker, and she joined later. Bread philosophy [03:48]: Madre Amiga focuses on making bread with stone-ground Galician flours, pampered processes, and long fermentations, just like in the old days. Ichi highlights how at first, she didn't like sourdough bread, but then she got used to it and now prefers it. Growth and responsibility [06:38]: Ichi highlights that entrepreneurship is a huge effort and a great responsibility, not only for her family but for the 80 families that depend on the project. Learning to manage emotions and daily "messes" is a fundamental part of the entrepreneurial path. Leadership and delegation [31:44]: Ichi describes herself as a "soft" and emotional leader, which sometimes works against her. She recognizes the importance of learning to delegate and trust the team so the project can grow, even if it is difficult to let go of control. Closure of Montecarmelo [27:06]: She relates the sad experience of closing one of their locations, Montecarmelo, due to problems with the residents' association and the denial of licenses. Despite the disappointment and the large investment, she sees it as a lesson to keep moving forward. Criticism and reviews [35:08]: She addresses the issue of "haters" and unjustified negative reviews on Google, especially regarding the price of their products, defending the quality of the specialty coffee and artisanal bread. Copying ideas [38:32]: She believes that if people copy them, it's because they are doing something right. In the case of recipes, they cannot be patented, but her team is constantly evolving and improving their products. Vision for the future [41:15]: She would love to see Madre Amiga all over Spain in the next five years. Motherhood and Parenting Mother of four [10:52]: Ichi is the mother of four children (Martín, 11; Aruca, 9; Teo, 6; Cuba, 2). Breastfeeding and mental health [12:14]: She shares her experience with breastfeeding, which was difficult with her first child, Martín, due to latching problems and cracked nipples. She opted for mixed feeding and later for formula, prioritizing her mental health, a message she considers fundamental for other mothers. Time for oneself [43:42]: She emphasizes the importance of mothers dedicating time to themselves, whether running, playing sports, or any other activity they enjoy, so as not to lose their identity. Adolescence and communication [45:24]: She encourages embracing children's adolescence and being open and approachable parents. She highlights the importance of information always coming from parents and creating a space where children can tell what is happening to them without fear. Boundaries with technology [51:51]: She sets clear boundaries with screen time and YouTube at home, especially due to children's overexposure to inappropriate information and the risk of addiction. Family as a pillar [01:00:22]: Ichi highlights the importance of the family "clan" and loyalty between siblings, values she tries to pass on to her children. Social Media and Communication Hobby and reality [55:12]: She uses Instagram as a hobby and a "window" into her performance side. She started sharing the reality of motherhood and a chaotic house, in contrast to the perfection she saw on other accounts. Children's privacy [55:57]: For some time now, she has barely shown her children on social media to respect their privacy and give them the choice to decide in the future if they want to be exposed. Personal organization [57:10]: She acknowledges her organizational difficulties and how working on social media has helped her be more disciplined and productive. Relationship with siblings [58:31]: She shares the special relationship she has with her siblings, Maca and Nacho, despite their differences. An interview to listen to calmly. Because behind every project there is a story, and behind Madre Amiga, there is a woman who learned how to hold herself up.
