In partnership with

Dear Cultivators.

I know you are busy, but you opened the email so you might as well skim thru what I am sharing, this week on Siembra Connect (and share with your favorite creators).

• I want to solve the biggest problem creators have… how to make money doing what they love… register for a members only exclusive event.

• Why I chose Beehiiv as my platform and how I immediately monetized.

• Want to fund your passion project? I just shared my source of the biggest funding opportunities by Kat Gabrielle.

• We share a Mental Health Creator Resources, so you can really focus on yourself first.

• The latest Social Media news, upcoming events and more.

If you read this newsletter “I kindly request that from this point forward, all creators refrain from hustling backwards, chasing clout, or undervaluing their worth.” and be ready to learn from real world experience… I been at this for a minute… it is time to take action.

I am gonna keep it a hundred… monetization is the biggest struggle most creators face. It has been for as long as I been blogging, podcasting and creating content.

I see you…

You’re doing the work. You’re showing up. You’re building community.
But the income? Inconsistent. Underwhelming. Sometimes non-existent.

It’s not because you’re not talented.
It’s because you’re waiting on platforms, brands, or “the right moment” to pay you.

This week, we’re flipping that script.
Let’s talk about what it really means to monetize yourself—on your terms.

I want to inspire you to make a change… and get what you deserve for all of the creativity you pour into the world. So I am going to host a live event to explore this topic in detail… click the link below to get details and gain access to this event.

Space is very limited.

Click Below To Reserve Your Seat Now!

Today, I Feature The Tiny Desk Concert Series

A Tiny Desk Concert is an intimate live music performance filmed behind a literal desk at NPR’s offices. Stripped down and raw, these sets bring artists out of the stadium and into a small room where the focus is on voice, lyrics, and musicianship.

No pyrotechnics. No auto-tune. Just pure talent.

The audience is made up of NPR staff and a few lucky guests—close enough to make eye contact, sway to the rhythm, and catch every subtle moment. It’s a rare chance to hear hit songs reimagined in a cozy, unplugged format that feels more like a jam session than a concert.

Each performance is a reminder that behind every big artist is a love for the music that started small.

That’s the soul of a Tiny Desk Concert.

Now I have seen quite a few Tiny Desk concerts but this one has instantly become my favorite… Not only do I get to enjoy Bad Bunny, but now I get a glimpse of what I can imagine a studio session its like…. and best of all I get to see the talent behind the success of his latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Bad Bunny's NPR Tiny Desk Concert featured his backing band, LoS SOBRiNOS, which includes Julito Gastón, Luis Irizarry, "Big Jay" Anthony, Krystal Santana, Emanuel Santana, Luis Sanz, and Fabiola Méndez.

WATCH HIS PERFORMANCE NOW

Most of our features come from creators I come across on my timeline daily—but I know YOU are connected to some amazing talent I may not have discovered yet. That’s why I’m opening up the floor…

Are you or do you know a creator who deserves to be featured?

We’re looking for creators, entrepreneurs, and artists who are making waves and have a story to tell. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a movement, or creating game-changing content, we want to highlight your journey!

📩 Send your submissions to [email protected]

Now, if you’ve been following my journey, you know I’m always thinking about visibility, ownership, and sustainability when it comes to building a platform. Social media is cool, but it’s borrowed land—one algorithm tweak and your reach disappears faster than a plate of abuela’s arroz con gandules at a family party.

That’s why I’ve been investing in email. Your inbox is one of the few places where creators still have control over their audience. No pay-to-play. No fighting the algorithm. Just direct access to the people who actually want to hear from you.

When the Siembra Initiative first launched in 2020, it lived entirely in a Facebook Group. As time went on and Meta decided to toy with the algorithm, we started losing reach in a group of a few hundred people, all who opted in to be part of this exclusive community.

I knew then I needed to change my thought process on how to own my community like I did so many years ago on my blog before social media.

When it came time to pick a platform for Siembra Connect, I knew I needed something that aligned with my vision for growth, community, and monetization. After doing my research, I landed on Beehiiv, and let me tell you—it’s been a game-changer.

Why Beehiiv?

I’ll break it down the same way I do with everything using my signature Audit, Align, and Amplify framework.

1. Audit – The Creator’s Checklist

Before making the switch, I asked myself: What do I really need from a newsletter platform?

• Growth tools – I want to scale my audience organically.

• Monetization options – This newsletter is a business, not just a hobby.

• Customization – I need a brand that looks like me, not a generic template.

• Ease of use – If I have to spend hours setting things up, it’s a no for me.

2. Align – Where I Believe Beehiiv Wins

Here’s how Beehiiv checked all my boxes:

✅ Powerful Referral System – Helps grow my list on autopilot.
✅ Native Monetization – Built-in sponsorships so I can make money without extra hoops.
✅ Advanced Segmentation – Allows me to tailor content to different types of readers*
✅ Fast & Simple Setup – No headaches. No tech nightmares. Just vibes and efficiency.
✅ A Creator-First Community – Unlike other platforms, Beehiiv understands the needs of independent publishers.

(full transparency, I am not using this feature yet, but its in the roadmap)

3. Amplify – What This Means for You

Beehiiv isn’t just about sending emails—it’s about owning your audience and building something that lasts. If you’re serious about:

💡 Growing a real community beyond social media
💰 Monetizing without chasing brand deals
📩 Creating content that lands directly in your audience’s inbox

Then it’s worth looking into.

Most newsletter platforms treat your emails like they exist in a vacuum. Not Beehiiv.

When you create a newsletter, you’re also getting a fully functional website where all your issues live. That means:
SEO benefits – People can Google your content and discover your newsletter. Evergreen access – Readers can browse past issues, just like a blog.
Brand control – You get a clean, professional-looking site without extra coding.

Basically, you’re getting a newsletter + blog + landing page in one.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFO

AND A FREE TRIAL OFFER

We Recommend…

Get Your Siembra Merch

I DON’T GATEKEEP…

I have been following Kat Gabrielle for a while on Linked In… and she consistently shares funding opportunities on LinkedIn and IG… please connect directly with @TheWellWorkco on Instagram to get timely updates.

💰 $2 Million+ in Funding Opportunities for Black, LGBTQ+, Women-Owned Businesses This Week

👉🏽 The Well Work x Justworks - Just Thrive Program | Up to $6,000 to existing businesses that have at least 50% ownership by marginalized founder(s) and 2 W-2 employees, Deadline: Rolling | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV

👉🏽 [ 📌 VC INVESTMENT, NON-GRANT] FoundersEdge | Actively looking for pre-seed stage tech companies to invest $150k -250k operating at the intersection of AI x user experience in various industries + using technology to change the world | ✉️ DM me for more info w/ Subject: FoundersEdge

🎟️ [Partner Event] 👉🏽 FoundersEdge | Ditch the Deck – Boston Meetup
A no-pitch-deck zone for founders, technologists, builders, and curious minds in the Boston area. Join us for a night of live demos, conversation, and community — no slides allowed, just real innovation.

DETAILS:
🗓️ Wednesday, April 16 · 6–8 PM EST
📍 Ned Devine’s, 1 N Market St, Boston, MA 02109
🎟️ RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gd4y9dVn
💡 Interested in demoing?
Submit here: https://lnkd.in/g2fy9TwB

👉🏽 BGV | BGV Pitch Competition Austin - $30K in grant funding for 51% owned by under-resourced women founder(s), Deadline: April 25, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/g74Zdufa

👉🏽 NBCUniversal | Local Impact Grant - $2.5 Million Grant Fund for non-profits in the Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers and Community Engagement sectors, Deadline: April 11, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gS_SMG5S

👉🏽 Maison Rémy Martin | This is My City Grant - $20K in grant funding for leaders, entrepreneurs and artists creating impact in ATL, Chicago, Detroit, and NYC, Deadline: April 11, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gfT3sTix

👉🏽 776 Foundation | 776 Fellowship - $100K in grant funding to young builders aged 18-24 who are creating measurable solutions that will benefit underserved communities, Deadline: April 14, 2025 | https://776.org/

👉🏽 Famous Amos | Ingredients For Success Entrepreneurs Initiative - $50K in grants to 3 early-stage Black business owners. Businesses must be at least 90% Black-owned, Deadline: April 23, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gwVsxC5n

👉🏽 Santander | Cultivate Small Business Cohort 12 - $20K in grant funding and 12-week program for early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, with a focus on women, immigrant, and BIPOC-owned businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, Deadline: July 8, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/g6DRy6aB

--
The Well Work - is on a mission to get Black Founders funded.
Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N 

✉️ Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B

💡 Get 1:1 Founder + Biz Coaching from me: https://lnkd.in/gzFAdKNM

👩🏽‍🏫 Access Grants Unlocked - A Guide to Successful Grant Funding for Black Founders: https://lnkd.in/gBuV5nXH

Social media drives business results. And as influencers and marketers experience platform fragmentation and the rise of AI-generated content making it difficult to tell what’s real from what’s fake, it’s safe to say the social world is being rocked.

At Social Media Week, we'll unpack the strategies, tips, case studies, tech and platforms you need to move your business forward during this complex era. Designed for CMOs, content creators, social media managers and everyone in between, #SMW is your chance to learn, share, and connect with the masterminds behind the most unforgettable brands and viral campaigns.

Dive into the world of influencers, tap into pop culture, partner with top agencies, and keep your audience hooked across the latest channels. With three days of mindful insights, wildly creative energy, and stage time for your favorite social leader's favorite social leader, this is a can’t-miss event for marketers of all sizes to make sense of it all.

Digital Marketing World Forum, the definitive exhibition and conference for senior marketing leaders and marketing technology. Covering AI, Data, CRM, Email, Automation, Sales Enablement, Digital Transformation, Content, Analytics, SEO, Affiliates, Social Media, Community, eCommerce, Omni-channel, Video 

Modernize your marketing with AdQuick

AdQuick unlocks the benefits of Out Of Home (OOH) advertising in a way no one else has. Approaching the problem with eyes to performance, created for marketers with the engineering excellence you’ve come to expect for the internet.

Marketers agree OOH is one of the best ways for building brand awareness, reaching new customers, and reinforcing your brand message. It’s just been difficult to scale. But with AdQuick, you can easily plan, deploy and measure campaigns just as easily as digital ads, making them a no-brainer to add to your team’s toolbox.

Learn more now.