María Marín is internationally known as an expert in the area of negotiating training. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in the art of negotiating led her to become the only Latina that teaches negotiation worldwide. She has trained thousands of executives to develop and improve their negotiating skills in Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States and other countries such as Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Latin America. Some of her international clients include Mattel Toys, Pfizer, OshKosh B’Gosh and Ford Motor Company. Recently, María was awarded "Latina Entrepreneur 2004" award by the Latin Business Association.

Both passion and energy have always been the driving force behind all aspects of María Marín’s life. María Marín, a secure woman who stands tall with confidence radiating through her every word, is testament to what strong Latinas these days can accomplish. Born in Puerto Rico, Marín aims to dispel myths that women are destined to be housewives, homemakers and mothers to more than one child. "Whatever happened to our dreams? The problem is that women don’t feel secure enough to accomplish and reach their dreams…Well, my audio book "Secrets of a Confident Woman" will change that". María’s inspirational words can help women throw out the baggage, rationalizations, and excuses women have used for years.

María’s desire to find the root of all insecurities and unleash the potential hidden in every woman urged her to interview 500 women, which founded the studies for the book. As a result she discovered that the two major excuses used by women to not make an imminent change in their lives, be it a professional or a personal one, were "I’m not prepared" or "It is not the right time". To this María Marín replies "Just by trying is that one can prepare. The right moment is never going to come. The important thing is to make a commitment with yourself and take action."

The success of "Secretos de la Mujer Segura" and her career steered María Marín into to writing weekly columns for the major Hispanic newspapers across the United Stated and Puerto Rico. She also writes articles for www.Univision.com. Furthermore, Marín hosts her own radio show, every Monday at11:30 a.m. on KDIF 1140 AM.

María is a source of inspiration. Her mother died of cancer when she was only 8 years old, struggled with being overweight, felt unattractive as a young girl and discovered a new battle awaited her when she became an insulin dependent diabetic by the age of 15. María did not let these adversities hold her back. She went to the University of Puerto and obtained a degree in Business Administration. In her desire to succeed she moved to California, where she still resides. Here she started working with her uncle who founded a renowned restaurant franchise. María Marín’s experience in the industry influenced her to open her own two restaurants. "It went well for me, but it was not my dream", María comments.

Her life undoubtedly changed and took a radical turn after Maria overcame a divorce and sold her two restaurants. "At that moment I had no idea what my next step would be", María Marín says. Yet, she remembered that her passion had always been speaking in front of an audience, she could envision herself doing this. Marín motivated by her heart’s desire she interviewed for Karrass, Ltd. a company known as the "World Leader in Negotiating Programs" and was then hired to conduct these seminars in English and Spanish.

Currently María Marín owns her own company "Voice of Empowerment" and continues conducting seminars on negotiation and personal growth all over the world.

"What is essential in life is to have high aspirations. We need to learn to take advantage of all the opportunities that come our way. Our lives cannot be based on assumptions, which many times are wrong. They prohibit us from getting what we really want in life", María Marín comments. "The first step towards personal success is commitment to oneself; you must say it to yourself aloud everyday. Once you commit yourself, the universe seems to conspires so that your wishes come true."

www.mariamarin.com