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Note: This post accompanies Episode 730 of The Latina Mom Legacy: Why Your Roots Are Your Greatest Business Asset - The Shades by Shan Sisters on Bilingualism, Legacy, and Building from Nothing featuring powerhouse Latina sisters Shan Berries and Erica Clark. Discover how culture, language, and family shaped their journey from a basement beauty startup to a national brand. Plus, practical wisdom for bilingual parenting and Latina entrepreneurship!
What does it mean to build a lasting legacy while honoring your cultura and how do you pass it down to the next generation? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with sisters Shan Berries and Erica Clark, who share their upbringing as first-gen daughters of an Ecuadorian immigrant, lessons in entrepreneurship, and their mission to give back through their beauty brand, Shades by Shan.
Whether you dream of raising bilingual kids, launching a business with your family, or simply want an uplifting story of resilience, this conversation is for you.
Show Promos You Don't Want to Miss:
Get 25% Off Your First Shades By Shan Purchase by 10/1/2026 With Code LATINAMOM
Timestamps & What You’ll Discover
1:14 – Meet Shan Berries and Erica Clark: Latina sisters, beauty founders & legacy builders
Hear how their Ecuadorian single mom inspired their drive, work ethic, and deep cultural connection.
3:58 – Growing Up Bilingual & Staying Connected to Your Roots
Shan Berries and Erica Clark open up about bilingual life at home and the importance of speaking Spanish with their own kids.
6:22 – Bilingual Parenting Tips, Speech Delays & Embracing Spanglish
Advice on overcoming language insecurities, encouraging two languages at home, and dealing with speech delays with support ().
11:06 – Favorite Bilingual Kids Books & Cultivating Cultural Pride
Recommendations like “Selena: Como la Flor” and “Spanish Is My Superpower” that keep Spanish front and center ().
14:46 – Tiny Steps to Raising Bilingual Kids (And Why It’s Worth It)
Bilingualism is built “one little moment at a time”—plus, how it’s paid off in their careers and lives ().
17:52 – Building Shades by Shan: From Basement Hustle to National Retailer
How the sisters bootstrapped a beauty business out of their mom’s garage, made giving back part of the brand, and became JCPenney’s top-selling foundation ().
28:53 – How a Single Mom Modeled Leadership & Created Legacy
Erica Clark reflects on her mom’s entrepreneurial spirit, people-first leadership style, and why modeling matters ().
33:04 – The Power of Representation: Latina-Owned, Community Driven
Shan Berries and Erica Clark share top products, their milestone achievements, and how celebrating cultura is at the heart of their brand.
38:41 – Fast Round: Honest Mom Struggles, Family Traditions, and Dream Legacies
What “legacy” means for Shan Berries and Erica Clark—and the dishes, remedies, and values they want to pass along.
Quick Episode Takeaways:
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Model bilingualism and culture authentically every day—kids are always watching!
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Don’t stress over perfect Spanish—connection matters more than flawlessness.
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Resilience is built through many small moments and saying “yes” after every “no.”
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Being Latina is a superpower—own your story and use it to lift others up.
About Shan Berries and Erika Clark
Shades by Shan is a San Francisco-born cosmetics brand with a mission as beautiful as their products. Founded by two first gen Latina sisters, Shan Berries and Erika Clarkwho watched their single mom from Ecuador work tirelessly to provide for them, the brand was built to give back to the community that shaped them. A portion of every purchase supports single parents in need through their own nonprofit, the MamaBerries Foundation, because they know firsthand what it takes to raise a family on your own.
About Janny Perez
Janny Perez is a bilingual parenting educator and the voice behind the The Latina Mom Legacy podcast.
Through her work, she helps first-generation Latina and multicultural moms raise Spanish-speaking children with confidence—even in English-dominant environments.
As a multilingual mom herself, Janny understands that raising a bilingual child takes more than reading a few books or singing songs in Spanish. It requires intention, consistency, and the right strategies.
She shares practical guidance rooted in real-life experience, helping families move past self-doubt and build a strong language foundation at home—while staying deeply connected to their culture.
Follow @milegasi on social media for bilingual parenting tips, resources, and support.
Viral Quotes from the Episode
Erica Clark
"Bilingualism isn't just one big moment. It's a culmination of a thousand tiny little ones."
“If you take care of your people, they will respond... we have a phenomenal team, and it's a family. It truly, truly is.”
Shan Berries
“If you speak to somebody in English, sure, but if you speak to them in Spanish—or their own language—you speak to their hearts. That’s when the connections start rolling, that’s when the love comes.”
“If it was easy, anybody would do it… But I promise you, it will pay off.”
Janny Perez
“Don’t focus too much on whether it’s good enough. Focus on whether you can get that communication right. People won’t focus on your flaws—they’ll focus on what you give them and their takeaway.”
“It really is a testament to a woman who is strong and, despite being a single parent, how hard is it to parent two amazing children...so kudos to your mom for really setting that example.”
Resources Mentioned in This Podcast:
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Shades by Shan Cosmetics (Use code LATINAMOM for 25% off through October 1, 2026)
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“Selena Baby Book” (Children’s book recommendation)
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“Spanish Is My Superpower” (Children’s book recommendation)
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Bilingual music & Spanish immersion programs for kids
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More free printables + bilingual parenting resources at milegasi.com
How You Can Support & Engage
- Apply to Be a Guest on The Latina Mom Legacy – Share your bilingual parenting story!
- Leave a Review – Apple Podcast or Spotify. Your feedback helps more families discover the show.
- Join the Newsletter – La Lista at Milegasi.com. Get exclusive tips, printables, and updates!
- Interested in Sponsoring the Show? Contact us → Sponsorship info
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Pinterest: @milegasi
Final Thoughts
Legacy isn’t built overnight, it's created through the culture, language, grit, and values we intentionally pass on. Celebrate those small daily efforts, be fearless in your parenting and dreams, and keep showing up for your family (and community). Tú puedes.
Want to learn more about confident bilingual parenting? Visit milegasi.com.
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