PERLA TAMEZ CASASNOVAS : THE HEART MIND AND MONEY METHOD REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RICH

Perla Tamez Casasnovas learned her first lesson in entrepreneurship by watching her mother build a life through determination and resourcefulness. That example still guides her. Across her business ventures, foundation, and work in communications, Perla returns to one question: how can success improve people’s lives?

Her answer begins with Heart Mind and Money—a philosophy that places emotional healing and purpose before financial achievement. In this conversation with CEO TIMES, she reflects on difficult leadership decisions, reconnecting with her roots in Mexico, and why the best time to pursue a dream may be before you feel ready.

Interview

CEO TIMES: Perla, when you look back at the beginning of your career, what first inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Watching my mother succeed was my first inspiration. She was an immigrant without a formal education, yet she built her success through determination, curiosity, and a willingness to teach herself by asking questions and learning from others. She showed me that success is not determined by where you begin or what credentials you have, but by your willingness to learn, work hard, and create opportunities. She taught me that entrepreneurship starts with resourcefulness and the courage to believe you can build something greater.

CEO TIMES: You have built and pursued several businesses. How did your ambitions evolve from one venture to the next, and what connects them all?

My ambitions have evolved, but the purpose behind them has remained consistent: serving people and improving their quality of life. Whether through healthcare, real estate, or the service industry, my businesses have always been connected by one common thread: creating value for others. I have never viewed entrepreneurship simply as building companies or generating revenue. I see it as an opportunity to solve problems, create opportunities, and make people’s lives better.

CEO TIMES: What has been the most difficult decision you have made as a businesswoman, and what did it teach you?

One of the hardest lessons I have learned is knowing when to cut your losses and make difficult decisions quickly. When a business experiences financial challenges, reducing personnel can be one of the most difficult decisions a leader has to make. I understand that behind every employee is a family, a livelihood, and a personal story. I am deeply invested in the people who work alongside me, which makes those decisions especially emotional. However, I have learned that leadership requires balancing compassion with responsibility. Protecting the long-term health of a business sometimes means making decisions that are difficult in the moment.

CEO TIMES: People often ask successful entrepreneurs for their “secrets.” What habits, values, or choices have made the greatest difference in your journey?

I genuinely love people, and I believe humility and a desire to serve are among my greatest assets. I have always tried to create an environment where people feel supported, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves. Even through different business cycles, many people have remained loyal because I believe in building relationships that go beyond a paycheck. I lead with a family-oriented mindset, where people know they matter. To me, success is not just about having people work for you; it is about creating an environment where people genuinely want to grow alongside you.

CEO TIMES: How do you define success today? Has that definition changed over time?

Today, I define success as being emotionally rich, spiritually grounded, and centered in your truth while learning to enjoy both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and life. My definition has evolved. I once associated success more closely with financial achievements, but I have learned that money cannot replace inner peace, meaningful relationships, or a healthy heart. True success is having the freedom to enjoy what you have built without losing yourself in the process.

CEO TIMES: What is the mission of the Heart Mind and Money Foundation, and what personal experiences inspired you to create it?

The Heart Mind and Money methodology was created to liberate people and help them experience a truly rich life by putting first what matters most: the heart, then the mind, and ultimately money.

Society often teaches us that money will buy happiness, heal emotional wounds, or create inner peace. I believe that is a misconception. Money can create opportunities, but it cannot heal a broken heart or give someone a sense of purpose.

My God-given mission is to help people transform their difficulties into their superpower. Through healing their hearts, renewing their minds, and building financial empowerment, I want people to discover the freedom to live richly, regardless of their circumstances. Ultimately, the greatest wealth is living with peace, purpose, faith, and the ability to give that same hope to others.

CEO TIMES: How do you hope the foundation will help people strengthen the connection between emotional well-being, purpose, and financial empowerment?

When people recognize that something within them needs healing and become humble enough to embrace change, they become open to learning, growing, and transforming their lives. That internal transformation influences the decisions they make, the opportunities they pursue, and ultimately their financial outcomes.

I believe that when people become emotionally healthier and more intentional about their purpose, they are better equipped to create wealth—not just for themselves, but to make a meaningful impact on the people and communities around them. We want to help people understand that prosperity begins within and becomes even more powerful when it is shared.

CEO TIMES: You recently spent time in Mexico. What has being there meant to you, personally and professionally?

Returning to Mexico felt like returning home to my roots. My family is part of a generation that immigrated to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. Yet, after spending time in Mexico, I was reminded of something profound: sometimes people leave a country rich in culture, family values, and human connection in search of financial opportunities, only to discover that financial wealth alone does not guarantee a rich life.

Being able to share the Heart Mind and Money philosophy with the Mexican community was incredibly meaningful. The message was embraced because it speaks to something universal: the importance of building wealth without losing your heart, your identity, or the values that make life meaningful.

CEO TIMES: You received the Micrófono de Oro in recognition of your work as a prominent figure in communications. What did that moment mean to you?

It was a meaningful validation of the work I feel called to do every single day: helping people liberate themselves, grow, and improve their lives. More than an award, I saw it as recognition of a message that is bigger than me. It reminded me that our voices have power, and when we use them to serve others, we can create an impact that reaches far beyond ourselves.

CEO TIMES: Communication is central to leadership. How have you learned to use your voice to build trust, create opportunities, and inspire others?

I began learning this at a very young age while working alongside my mother. I understood early on that the people around us influence who we become. I became intentional about surrounding myself with people who challenged me, inspired me, and helped me grow.

Over time, I learned that leadership is not simply about having a voice; it is about using that voice responsibly. Communication builds trust when your words align with your actions. I believe in investing in good people, listening, creating opportunities, and making others feel seen. Your voice becomes powerful when it gives other people the courage to discover their own.

CEO TIMES: You are preparing to launch a podcast. What inspired the project, and what kinds of conversations can listeners expect?

I want people to understand that being truly rich and successful begins in the heart. We often see celebrities and successful public figures who have achieved fame, recognition, and financial wealth, only to discover that those accomplishments do not necessarily protect them from loneliness, emotional struggles, or a lack of purpose.

Some of the most inspiring stories come from people who have fallen, faced their deepest challenges, and rebuilt their lives with a new understanding of what truly matters. I want to have honest conversations with people about those experiences—their faith, their healing, their relationships, their failures, and the moments that transformed them.

Listeners can expect conversations that go beyond fame, power, and money. I want to explore the human being behind the success and remind people that spirituality, meaningful relationships, and acts of love and service are what ultimately make life rich.

CEO TIMES: Looking ahead, what are your priorities for your businesses, your foundation, and your work in communications?

My greatest wish is to help millions of people heal their hearts, transform their minds, and achieve their financial goals so they can live fulfilled lives and become agents of hope for others.

I want my businesses, foundation, and communications platforms to serve one greater mission: human liberation. I believe that becoming a helping hand for someone else is one of the greatest expressions of a meaningful life. To me, that is heaven on earth.

CEO TIMES: Finally, what would you say to a woman who has a business idea but is still waiting for the confidence to begin?

Do it messy. Do it big. Just do it.

No one is coming to build your dream for you. No successful business owner was born knowing exactly what to do. We learn by starting, making mistakes, adjusting, and growing along the way.

You do not need to have everything figured out to take the first step. Confidence often comes after you begin, not before.

Ask yourself: If not now, when? If not you, who?

Give yourself permission to start before you feel ready. Your dream deserves the opportunity to become real.