One Latina Entrepreneur is Breaking Barriers in Education and Business

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and courtesy of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), we spotlight Maria Fernanda Trochimezuk, founder of Bravo Story and IOScholarships, whose dual mission of amplifying diverse voices and democratizing access to educational funding embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and community commitment that defines Latino leadership in America.

As Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us to celebrate the rich contributions of Latino entrepreneurs to American innovation and economic growth, few stories exemplify this impact as powerfully as Maria Fernanda Trochimezuk’s journey. The founder of both Bravo Story and IOScholarships has built her career on a simple yet transformative principle: equity and access to opportunities should not be privileges, but pathways available to all.

In a business landscape where minority entrepreneurs face significant barriers to capital, with recent data showing Black-owned businesses experiencing 39 percent loan denial rates and Hispanic-owned businesses facing 29 percent rejection rates, Trochimezuk’s success as an NMSDC-certified entrepreneur stands as both inspiration and blueprint for others navigating similar challenges.

Her dual ventures tackle two critical gaps in the American opportunity ecosystem. Bravo Story elevates authentic diverse narratives in corporate storytelling, while IOScholarships directly addresses the financial barriers that prevent talented underrepresented students from pursuing STEM education and careers. Together, these platforms represent more than business ventures, they’re instruments of systemic change designed to level playing fields that have historically excluded Latino and minority voices.

What makes Trochimezuk’s approach particularly compelling is her understanding that authentic impact requires sustained commitment rather than seasonal campaigns. As she prepares to attend the NMSDC National Conference in Miami this November, her work continues to demonstrate how Latino entrepreneurs are not just participating in the American economy—they’re actively reshaping it to be more inclusive, innovative, and equitable.

In this candid conversation, Trochimezuk shares the pivotal moments that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, the values that guide her decision-making, and her vision for creating lasting change through the intersection of storytelling, education, and business leadership.

NMSDC: Your journey as an entrepreneur has taken you from launching Bravo Story to creating IOScholarships. What pivotal moments shaped your path, and how did they prepare you for these ventures?

Over the years, I’ve been driven by a passion to amplify underrepresented voices and create opportunities for diverse communities. Bravo Story was born out of a desire to tell authentic stories that inspire. Later, IOScholarships grew from my personal experience navigating the financial challenges of higher education as a Latina. The pivotal moment came when I realized that scholarships were often hidden or inaccessible to students who needed them most. That realization gave me the vision to create a platform that connects diverse students to life-changing STEM scholarships and career opportunities.

NMSDC: As founder, you oversee community engagement, partnerships, and strategic growth. What does success look like for you, and how do you measure impact?

Trochimezuk: Success is about impact, not just scale. At IOScholarships, I measure success by the number of students who secure funding to continue their education, and at Bravo Story, by the narratives we elevate that drive representation. Beyond metrics, success is when I hear from a student who became the first in their family to graduate because they found a scholarship on our platform, or when a corporation tells me our storytelling helped them connect authentically with their audience and clients.

NMSDC: Bravo Story highlights diverse voices while IOScholarships empowers underrepresented students. How do you balance these missions, and what connects them?

Trochimezuk: The common thread is equity and access to opportunities. Bravo Story focuses on cultural storytelling, while IOScholarships focuses on financial access to education. Both platforms aim to level the playing field by giving diverse communities visibility and tools to thrive. They complement each other—one inspires through stories, the other empowers through resources and access to STEM career opportunities.

NMSDC: You’ve built partnerships with corporations, nonprofits, and academic institutions. How do you align corporate goals with the grassroots needs of students and diverse entrepreneurs?

Trochimezuk: It’s all about listening and alignment. Corporations want innovation and a diverse workforce, while students and entrepreneurs want access and support. When we connect those dots—by helping corporations invest in scholarship funds or sponsor storytelling campaigns—we create mutual value. The grassroots communities gain opportunities, and corporations strengthen their pipeline of future leaders and innovators.

NMSDC: Access to scholarships and financial resources remains a huge barrier for many minority students. What’s the most effective way to close that gap?

Trochimezuk: We need to make access easier, transparent, and inclusive. That means building user-friendly technology that connects students directly to scholarships, creating mentorship opportunities, and increasing awareness through trusted community channels. Just as important, we must humanize the process—students need guidance, encouragement, and role models to help them believe they belong in higher education and deserve STEM workforce opportunities.

NMSDC: As a Latina entrepreneur, what trends do you see emerging in education and technology that will shape the future for underrepresented students?

Trochimezuk: I see three major trends:

• EdTech democratization – platforms are making resources more accessible globally.
• Corporate investment in STEM– companies are increasingly funding scholarships and mentorship programs.
• AI-powered personalization – technology is enabling more tailored scholarship matching and student support. These trends can transform the student experience if implemented with equity in mind.

NMSDC: What do you think companies still get wrong about connecting authentically with Latino and diverse audiences?

Trochimezuk: Too often, companies treat diversity as a seasonal campaign rather than a long-term commitment. Authentic engagement means consistent investment, diverse leadership at the table, and year-round visibility. For example, sponsoring scholarships through IOScholarships is not just marketing—it’s investing in future innovators.

NMSDC: Education is central to both Bravo Story and IOScholarships. What unique contributions do Latino and underrepresented students bring to the entrepreneurial and professional landscape?

Trochimezuk: These diverse talented students bring resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of responsibility to their communities. Many are bilingual and bicultural, which gives them cultural agility and global perspective. They approach problem-solving with grit and collaboration, qualities that are invaluable in today’s economy.

NMSDC: As someone who bridges business, education, and storytelling, what values guide your work, and how do you stay authentic?

Trochimezuk: The values that guide me are integrity, empowerment, and inclusion. I stay authentic by keeping close to the students and communities I serve—listening to their needs, sharing their voices, and remembering why I started. Every decision at Bravo Story and IOScholarships comes back to this question: Does it create opportunity and inspire change?

NMSDC: Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bravo Story and IOScholarships?

Trochimezuk: My vision is for Bravo Story to continue amplifying diverse voices that shape culture and for IOScholarships to become the go-to platform for underrepresented students seeking financial aid. Ultimately, I want both ventures to be catalysts for systemic change—where diversity, equity, and education are not side initiatives but core drivers of innovation and growth in corporate America and beyond.

NMSDC: What role do organizations like NMSDC play in shaping a more inclusive and equitable business ecosystem?

Trochimezuk: As an NMSDC-certified business, I know this certification is truly the gold stamp for opportunities—opening doors to collaborate, innovate, and grow within an ecosystem that values diversity and innovation as a driver of business excellence.

Trochimezuk: I’m excited to share that I’ll be attending the NMSDC National Conference in Miami from November 2–5! This annual event is such a powerful opportunity to scale through networking, build meaningful partnerships, and connect with leaders who are shaping supplier diversity and inclusion nationwide.

I’m looking forward to engaging with peers, corporate partners, and entrepreneurs who are equally committed to building a more innovative business landscape!