“Every day I look in the mirror, I discover that I look a lot like the woman I wanted to be as a child”
Ana Seijo, a Bolivian-born consultant now residing in Mallorca, is dedicated to guiding women entrepreneurs toward success. Through personal hardships and career shifts, Seijo’s journey reflects resilience and a deep commitment to helping others realize their dreams. In this conversation, she shares insights into her life, career, and vision for a sustainable Mallorca.
Where were you born and where have you lived?
I was born in Bolivia. My mother is Bolivian, and my father was Galician. I came to Spain at age five, lived in Galicia and Malaga, and have called Mallorca home for the last 26 years.
What did you want to be as a child?
I dreamed of working in advertising, though back then it was seen as a “dead-end” career. I studied computer science instead but eventually ended up in marketing, which has been the perfect fit for me.
Who were your role models growing up?
My parents. My father, Javier, was a dreamer, traveler, and highly cultured; he taught me that experiences are life’s real treasures. My mother is a strong, independent and decisive woman, who taught me that I am capable of whatever I want. They gave me very solid values. They taught me that I am not a tree, stuck in one place, but that my roots are wherever I want to be and that I have the freedom to move wherever I want. They allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them. Above all, they taught me that I must be the owner of my decisions. So I am grateful that despite not agreeing with things I have done, they have trusted my judgment and allowed me to just be me
How did you choose your profession?
My profession chose me. When the company I worked for went bankrupt, I opened a coworking space, which led me to meet other entrepreneurs and discover my passion for helping other women. I closed the coworking space to focus fully on strategic consulting. Now, I’m working with two partners on a new project, an AI-based business consulting tool for women entrepreneurs. It’s called Start Here. So basically, if you have a business idea and you don’t know where to start, start here! (empiezaporaqui.com)
What was your first success?
On a personal level, it was traveling alone at 16 to a student union conference. Professionally, my first success was receiving a promotion for leading a challenging project. As an entrepreneur, it was starting my coworking space with just €5,000, not knowing if I could pull it off.
What are you most proud of?
My resilience. Throughout my life, I’ve had to start over multiple times, including moving cities and reinventing myself. Each time, I’ve managed to build something positive, and I’m proud of the person I’ve become.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
The hardest period was five years ago, when I lost my father and went through a divorce in the span of a month. I felt adrift, as the life I’d known for over 20 years just disappeared. But, in time, I saw it as an opportunity to live more freely and do things I’d always wanted. Now I can work from anywhere, and I have full control over my life.
How did you handle those difficult moments?
Covid actually helped me to grieve in private. Being at home gave me the time to process everything, think, cry, and eventually start over. My children, my mother, and my friends were an enormous support. I made the decision to move forward, close the coworking space, and become the person I most admire.
What conclusions have you drawn from these experiences?
We are the masters of our destiny. Once we clear away the clouds of doubt and fear, we discover that we are capable of amazing things. Every day I look in the mirror and discover that I look a lot like the woman I wanted to be as a child and that gives me wings to continue building dreams.
What’s your take on tourism in Mallorca?
It’s a complex issue. I’m a traveler myself and understand why people want to experience this beautiful island. But the current tourism model needs change. We need a more sustainable approach, one that eases the burden on residents and encourages tourism in less crowded seasons. Tourism is our economic backbone, so finding the right balance will be essential.
How does Mallorca compare to other places like Barcelona or Madrid?
Each place is unique, but Mallorca is truly special. It has a different pace—life feels like an endless summer, with Caribbean-like beaches and a slower, calmer lifestyle. I still feel like I’m in paradise.
What are your professional goals this year?
My partners and I are developing AnnIA, an AI consulting tool for women entrepreneurs, which will help them make strategic business decisions. We’re part of a national startup acceleration program, and if everything goes to plan, AnnIA will launch this year.
What’s your ultimate goal in life?
To retire by age 50 and dedicate myself to research and development for our innovation laboratory, democratize entrepreneurial knowledge so that it is affordable, and above all, travel the world dedicating myself to philanthropy.
What’s your vision for Mallorca in 2030?
I have been on the island for more than 25 years and I think that if we manage to evolve towards a more sustainable economic model, in 2030 we will be close to perfection. We will have fully integrated other economic models and we will be a paradise for digital nomads. Can you imagine? Like Bali but without having to take a plane… What more could you ask for?
Text by Anastasia Barysheva
