Leslie Alvarez – A Hustler’s Heart and an Entrepreneur’s Spirit

Overcoming a Challenging Childhood

Leslie Alvarez learned how to survive long before she learned how to thrive. Raised in the heart of inner-city Houston, her childhood was a mix of cultural pride and quiet struggle. Her parents divorced when she was five, and she was brought up by her grandmother in a strict religious household that kept her world small and tightly controlled. Living in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood without speaking Spanish made her feel like she didn’t quite belong anywhere. Yet even in the margins, Leslie found her fire.

She was still a child when she sold her first batch of oatmeal cookies door-to-door to buy herself a bicycle. That small act of hustle became a blueprint for the life she would build—one baked in necessity, driven by independence, and sustained by resilience.

The Hustle Mentality: Making Ends Meet

She married young, had her first child at 20, and began working in property management. Life was busy but stable, until it wasn’t. When her husband left while she was five months pregnant with their second child, Leslie was suddenly alone—with no partner, no income, and two babies depending on her.

With nothing but $100 and a recipe, her ex-mother-in-law taught her how to make tamales. Leslie turned that lesson into a survival strategy. She sold tamales on the weekends, during holidays, or whenever the family needed extra money for field trips, sports fees, or groceries. Every tamale she rolled was a promise to her kids that she wouldn’t let them go without.

Navigating Single Parenthood and Career Growth

The days were long. She worked into the night, balancing jobs and motherhood, trusting that somehow her grit would pay off. It did. Leslie focused on earning industry certifications instead of a college degree, moving up the ladder in property and community management one smart decision at a time. She chose jobs not just for title or prestige, but for schedule flexibility and higher pay—whatever would best support her kids.

When her daughter enrolled in college, Leslie enrolled too. Eighteen credit hours, a full-time job, and the weight of motherhood didn’t scare her. She’d already been doing the impossible for years. Now she was just doing it on paper.

Teaching the Next Generation to Hustle

Leslie’s determination didn’t just benefit her family—it shaped them. Her son started flipping sneakers and turned a few dollars into a business. Her daughter made cookies and sold them to cover school expenses. Hustle wasn’t something Leslie preached. It was something she modeled, every single day.

She didn’t lecture about work ethic—she lived it. And her children followed her lead, proving that entrepreneurial spirit is just as contagious as it is powerful.

Launching a Business: Community Ace

After years of working for others, Leslie finally bet on herself. She launched Community Ace, a full-service management and consulting firm. Within six months, she had contracts and a full-time employee. Her son joined her in the business, making it not just a professional win, but a family legacy in progress.

Everything she’d survived had prepared her to lead. Every hardship had sharpened her problem-solving. Every tamale, every sleepless night, every job interview—each one taught her how to build something real.

Now, she empowers others to do the same. Through her books, her business, and her story, Leslie proves that resilience isn't just about surviving—it’s about learning how to win in your own way.

Key Takeaways from Leslie Alvarez’s Journey

• Resourcefulness Leads to Opportunity: Creativity and hustle can turn small beginnings into big outcomes.

• Resilience is Built Through Experience: Life’s setbacks are where strength and adaptability are born.

• Success is More Than Money: A fulfilling life is about passion, legacy, and impact.

• Sobriety and Discipline Create Growth: Focus and intentional choices are the bedrock of long-term success.

• Teach the Next Generation to Hustle: When you model resilience, you pass on more than values—you pass on a mindset.

To learn more, check out her book When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Tamales, and look out for her upcoming release, Hot Mess Express: Ditch the Drama, Conquer Life’s Curveballs, and Reclaim Your Life After Loss.

For consulting and management services, visit Community Ace.