Giselle Quintanilla is a remarkable woman whose life journey has been one of triumph. A virtuoso in writing and storytelling, Giselle’s literary prowess is only one facet of her remarkable character. Having enjoyed a successful past career in the world of banking, she has now chosen a path driven by her passion – helping her Latino community understand their rights and grasping the array of opportunities available to them. With Legal Shield as one of her powerful tools, Giselle has embarked on a mission to be a guiding light for many people.
In an exclusive interview with the nation’s faith-based and professional newspaper for winners, Anointed News Journal, Giselle Quintanilla shares with us some of the experiences that she’s had to endure, and how those encounters have fueled the life she currently lives.
Collins II:
Who is Giselle Quintanilla?
Quintanilla:
Well, Giselle is definitely a God girl. I always say I’m a God girl. I belong to God. I love Jesus. I’m a mother of three. I am an entrepreneur, and my heart is always focused on entrepreneurship. I like to describe myself as a full-time entrepreneur because I love what I do. I have a passion for helping and serving others, whether it’s through my businesses or assisting someone with theirs. I particularly enjoy supporting fellow mom entrepreneurs and women in discovering their purpose. So, yes, I am a dedicated entrepreneur. I also serve at my church, love Jesus, love my kids, and I proudly identify as a Latina from Patterson, New Jersey.
Collins II:
Can you talk about the journey that led you to this point?
Quintanilla:
Absolutely. I was definitely not like this before. I wouldn’t say I was necessarily bad, but I simply didn’t know my identity in Christ. When you lack that understanding, as Dr. Myles Munroe says, “Where purpose isn’t known, abuse is inevitable.” Because I didn’t know my purpose or value, I experienced forms of abuse. I wasn’t truly living in my purpose or aware of my true self. I would do things seeking attention and what I believed to be love. I was lost and unhappy in my career because I believed that my worth was defined by money, attention, accolades, and social status. That was the person I used to be.
But things changed when I discovered my true identity and purpose. It’s a completely different experience. You still achieve things, but your heart and perspective change. It’s a transformation from within.
Once you realize that as you help others, God blesses you in return, your focus shifts from what you can gain and achieve for yourself to sowing into others. You understand that every seed you sow results in a harvest, whether it’s in terms of time, resources, or support.
Collins II:
I really like that answer because knowing your identity in Christ changes everything. You feel empowered and driven by the ultimate purpose. It’s a whole new story from that point forward.
Quintanilla:
Exactly.
Collins II:
We actually met at the Business Book Camp, the Author Millionaire Academy event in Cherry Hill. It was a fantastic event, and it had a profound impact on me. Although I had already embraced an entrepreneurial mindset and was involved in various ventures, that event opened doors for me and introduced me to incredible people. Since then, I feel like I’ve been experiencing exponential growth. So, I’m curious, at what point did you decide to pursue entrepreneurship? When did you say, “Hey, I want to be an entrepreneur”?
Quintanilla:
I’ve always had a heart for business. I studied business administration, management, communications, and public relations in school. However, I didn’t fully realize it at the time. I was working in corporate America, specifically in retail banking, where I was making six figures. It was considered a good job, and I started when I was 21, gradually moving my way up. So, from the outside, it seemed like I had it all figured out. But then, unexpectedly, my position was eliminated, and I found myself in a difficult situation. I had to scramble to find another banking position within the company, which led me to commuting to New Hope, Pennsylvania—an hour and a half away from home. I barely got to see my kids, worked long hours in a branch that operated for ten hours a day, and it turned into a nightmare. Despite the branch’s success, I realized I needed a change.
In an attempt to be closer to my kids, I requested a transfer to a branch in New Jersey, but corporate politics worked against me. They wouldn’t move me, despite my track record. At that moment, I made a decision. I knew I couldn’t continue in that situation. So, I resigned. Interestingly, on the day I handed in my resignation letter, my regional manager, who understood my circumstances as he also lived in South Jersey, received a call from the market manager who was on vacation in Egypt. They wanted to retain me and offered to move me to Temple, but I declined because it was further away. I had been living in South Jersey for 16 years, and I didn’t want to go even farther from my kids.
Collins II:
Oh, I see. You were already in South Jersey, and the Temple location wouldn’t have been convenient for you.
Quintanilla:
Exactly. I had been settled in South Jersey for a long time, so moving to Temple wasn’t a viable option for me. I expressed my gratitude for the offer but ultimately declined. I had no backup plan at that point. It was then that my mother suggested I start a home-based daycare. I decided to give it a try, but soon after, fear and doubts crept in, and I got scared. I thought it was too overwhelming, so I ended up finding another job, a nine-to-four position. However, I soon realized that I didn’t want to work for someone else. I didn’t want to ask for permission when my children were sick or if I wanted to attend their games or award ceremonies. I wanted the freedom to make my own hours and do what I truly loved.
Interestingly, things took a turn. I got fired, something that had never happened to me before. Financially, we were struggling, and I found myself sitting at my dining room table, pondering what to do next. I turned to God and asked for guidance, seeking to understand my purpose and avoid working for someone else. That marked the beginning of my journey. I found a telemarketing job as a 1099 independent contractor, which provided me with a taste of independence and taught me discipline and time management.
Collins II:
Yeah, it’s funny. My story has parts that are similar. I was commuting from Sicklerville to King of Prussia or Malvern every day in PA, and I was just sick of it. You’re looking at three hours, round trip. And, I watch a lot of football, so the fact that my whole transportation time is a whole football game, an NFL football game, really bothered me. I didn’t like my job, and I was miserable.
After doing that for a year, that particular commute and that job, I just threw in the towel. I was like, I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I was already driving Uber on the side, so I just started doing Uber and Lyft while working on these entrepreneurial endeavors.
People always say, “Oh, that was a step of faith.” But it was like, I was so sick and tired. I got so fed up, and I was finally able to make a decision I wanted to make for so long. So it was faith, but at the same time, it was that fire in me too.
Quintanilla:
I call it a holy discontent. Like, you get this feeling inside you; It’s brewing. You’re like, there’s got to be more or something, right? You’re uncomfortable because you are in a space that you’re not supposed to be in.
Collins II:
Yeah. So that brings me to my next question for you. I saw that your business is mixed with passion. You’re not only doing the business and something you’re good at, but you really want to help people. I know you mentioned something about helping Latino people understand their rights. Can you explain more about that?
Quintanilla:
Sure. I have three avenues that I focus on. Firstly, I love telling stories and helping authors and writers. I enjoy writing, telling stories, and sharing them with others. Secondly, I am dedicated to serving and educating the Latino community. As a Latina myself, I provide resources for legal protection, access to attorneys, and guidance on identity theft protection. For a long time, Latinos faced barriers to purchasing homes or starting businesses. It was uncommon for us to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors.
For example, even in fields like landscaping, we often worked for those who owned the businesses. That was my experience growing up. I attended predominantly white Catholic schools, then later a school where white students made up the majority, followed by a smaller group of black students and a few Latinos. I was placed in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes that I didn’t need. It seemed like they didn’t know how to handle us. They wondered, “What do we do with these people?” The majority rented homes, didn’t start businesses, and had limited opportunities.
That’s why I do what I do for my Latino community. Now, I also share my knowledge and services with everyone, but I hyper-focus on my people because of the experiences I had as a child.
Collins II:
So you mentioned Legal Shield, and also you mentioned that you help write books as a ghostwriter.
Quintanilla:
Yes, that’s correct. I offer ghostwriting services, Spanish translation, manuscript editing, and assistance with self-publishing. One thing I realized on my own journey of publishing my own book is that people often underestimate how much their own stories can help others. When we share our experiences, it gives hope to those who are going through similar situations. It shows them that they don’t have to stay in that place. This understanding came from a scripture in Revelation that talks about overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. As believers, we often emphasize pleading the blood but forget to share our personal testimonies. We sometimes hesitate to admit that we’ve been through difficult times. For instance, I often share that there was a time in my life when I had only 85 cents in my bank account, faced foreclosure, and experienced repossessions. I was in a financially dire situation. But I share this story because it’s not where I am now. God brought me out of that situation, and if He can do it for me, He can do it for others too. By sharing our stories, we provide hope and wisdom to others, showing them that they can overcome as well.
Collins II:
That’s powerful. So what’s next for Giselle Quintanilla?
Quintanilla:
That’s a great question. I am currently working on my next book. It’s a project that focuses on helping women navigate through the process of being released from a marriage by God. There’s a difference between simply getting divorced and being released by God. I want to guide women through that journey and offer healing after divorce. It’s a topic that many women need guidance and support in. When I share my own story, some people find it hard to believe, but it’s a testament to God’s grace and guidance. I’ve experienced the transformation and healing that comes from relying on God as a single mom. The grace and perspective in life are different. So that’s what I’m working on. I don’t have a title for the book yet, but I’m hoping to release it by the beginning of next year.
Yes, and I’m also working on some online courses. So that’s another project I have in the works.
Collins II:
What message would you like to share with the readers of the Anointed News journal?
Quintanilla:
Every day that you’re breathing is a day of purpose. Each day you have the opportunity to fulfill your purpose, reach your potential, and make a difference in the world. Especially after the pandemic, many people are feeling lost and hopeless. As believers, we have the privilege of being the hope and light that others need. We can change the atmosphere, bring hope, and be a beacon of inspiration. So, remember that every day is an opportunity to impact someone’s life and be that hope they need.
Collins II:
That’s powerful. I appreciate your wisdom and passion for what you do.
Quintanilla:
Thank you so much. These were great questions, Chris. I enjoyed our conversation.
Giselle Quintanilla can help you take care of all the things that are intimidating. If you need a will or a trust, or a lawyer; She can guide you to the right people and actions. Additionally, if you’re someone that wants to write a book but doesn’t know where to start, she can write it for you! You are in good hands with Giselle.
You can reach her at 856-366-3691. You can get also Legal Shield plan through her link:
quintanillagiselle95.wearelegalshield.com
By Christopher Collins II
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