Meet Bianca Cerrato | Author & Founder of Libritos for the Heart

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bianca Cerrato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My business idea was one that God put in my heart. I know this because it happened when I was pregnant with my first baby and I was looking for bilingual bible books and I didn’t find any. I was anxious to start buying things for my baby and thought books would be perfect. I had already found cute baby books but I really wanted bilingual books so that I can teach my baby both English and Spanish. So one weekend I went to a women’s retreat with a church however, I almost didn’t attend because it was going to be in Spanish. After I attended I was so inspired and was so glad that I had gone because I do understand Spanish. It helped remind me of the importance to introduce Spanish to my baby to keep a part of our culture. And most importantly to raise up my child to know and love God. So immediately I knew that I wanted to buy bilingual biblical books. There was even a bookstore at the event and I went in searching for my baby but, I didn’t find any. There were English and Spanish books and bibles for boys or girls. I didn’t give up my search and continued searching online, but was not successful. On my drive back home I called my husband told him about my search for this book and then I said well maybe this is something that I can do! I thank God for not only placing this idea in my heart but also for guiding me and putting the people in my path to ensure these books were created.

What began as a personal quest to find the perfect bilingual Bible book for my baby blossomed into a passionate mission to fill a gap in the market. It wasn’t just about creating books; it was about building a legacy of faith and language for future generations.

What should our readers know about your business?
So, I became a self-published author and created Libritos for the Heart out of sheer passion and dedication. Balancing a full-time career in the utility industry, I am especially proud of being one of the very few women in my family to earn an MBA. This achievement not only fulfilled a personal educational goal but also planted the seed for my entrepreneurial journey. My husband once casually asked what I planned to do with my MBA, and while I initially thought “nothing,” that question lingered in my mind. Over time, I realized that whatever I pursued had to honor and glorify God.
Coming from a migrant farmworker family, I faced significant challenges and heartbreaks, including the loss of my grandfather during my first year of study. His passing, however, fortified my faith. My Bible study group’s prayers and support provided me with the strength to endure that difficult time. This journey taught me the importance of putting God first, and it became clear that my mission was to create books that would pass on faith and language to future generations.
As a mother, I desired to instill this same faith in my children. Creating these books wasn’t just a business endeavor; it was my way of glorifying God, honoring my heritage, and building a lasting legacy. My unique background, unwavering faith, and commitment to excellence set Libritos for the Heart apart, embodying the values I hold dear and the impact I aspire to make.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunny San Diego is a great place to visit there is so much to do!! If my best friend were to visit, we’d kick off the adventure with a delightful lunch at Cordiano Winery, where the views are just as mouth-watering as the food. Afterwards, we’d head over to the breathtaking beaches of La Jolla for some sun. As the day winds down, we’d wander through the vibrant streets of Little Italy, savoring an unforgettable dinner at one of its charming eateries.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In addition to giving God all the honor and glory, I want to give a huge shoutout to my illustrator! Without her talent, our books would not have been possible. Her name is Ruby Herrera from Ruby Creative Co. We actually have an incredible story that I’ve been eager to share. Here’s an interesting fact: since we first connected in 2016, Ruby and I have worked together for 7 years creating books virtually, and to this day we have NEVER met in person!
When I say that God placed people in my path to help create these books, Ruby was one of them, and arguably the most important! I had reached out to my college sorority network asking if anyone knew a graphic designer. I received about 5 or 6 contacts, but I honestly procrastinated reaching out. When I finally did, only 3 responded. The first person immediately replied with his hourly rate; the second guy was currently working in Mexico and said he wouldn’t be back in the States for a few months. While his work was great, he wasn’t immediately available. The third person was Ruby, who responded to my email and provided her contact information, so we scheduled a time to chat. We ended up talking for over an hour; she loved my idea and I loved her personality, so we decided to move forward and work together.
Ruby suggested meeting at a Starbucks to discuss the project, so when she gave me street names to tell me where she lived, I asked, “How about we start with cities? I’m in LA, where are you?” She laughed and said, “Well, I’m in Chicago!” We both burst out laughing and realized our Starbucks meeting wouldn’t happen. Nevertheless, we used Google Meet, emails, and phone calls to get started. Here we are, 7 years later, still communicating and still creating books!

Website: https://www.libritosfortheheart.com

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