Achieving success requires determination and focus. Once you decide to walk towards the goal, these traits make you committed to achieve it. Marla Vanessa Bojorge Zúñiga’s journey is the story of dedication to achieve her goals and reaching at the pinnacle of her career. Marla is the Owner of Bojorge & Associates Law Firm, an international corporate and immigration law firm located in Valencia (Spain). Her specialties stand in the areas of Immigration and Nationality Law, Corporate Law, and Consumer Rights.
The firm practices immigration law and assists with Spain visas and tr a vel, but it is diverse in capacity. It assists in proceedings and representation services mainly in Spanish immigration law. It provides businesses, employees, foreign resident citizens, and foreign non-resident citizens with legal and consulting services in the areas of visa, immigration, and business resources for the opportunity. It also helps people in purchasing a property in Spain or investment projects.
Throughout her tenure, Marla has achieved many milestones. Let’s unveil different aspects of her journey through an interview conducted between her and CIOLook.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Give us a brief overview of your position at your company, and your journey since inception.
My legal vocation was born when I was 7 years old. Since an early age, I considered that the best profession for me was to be a lawyer/ jurist. It is as if a lamp has been placed in my heart to motivate me and guide me in my steps.
I successfully completed my studies in Law in 1995 and I continued studying for 4 more years to become a Judge or Prosecutor in Spain as a public official in private studies. However, I saw that this would not give me full happiness, so I got an internship in a trial court in Switzerland. It is one of the best decisions I made since it helped me a lot in my current way of working. Once in Spain, I spent one more stage studying a Master in Business Consulting, once I finished it seemed to me that that was not my path either, so I applied for a selection to create my own company as a female entrepreneur presenting my own project of my own company a Law Firm. I was selected as one of the 3 representing projects by a Business School in Spain and by the Women’s office in Valencia.
To finish outlining my idea of the ideal job, I asked for and accepted a position in a law firm in Manhattan (USA) where I acquired the cosmopolitan skill that I considered I needed.
It was ready. However, I considered that the world was not complete without including China and I submitted my candidacy in a tough selection obtaining a scholarship to study in Beijing by a Foundation of the Ministry of Economy of Spain. I flew directly from Manhattan to Beijing on a long flight. In China, I acquired a totally different vision and experience than what I had known up to that moment and I obtained my last degree in Law.
Once in Spain, I was totally ready and despite the global economic crisis I created my own law firm. Following my business plan that I had written before, I put my last name BOJORGE and I put the following phrase “and associates”, but I will never associate. It is just a signature name. In turn, I had already registered my name as a trademark in the international classification at the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office; Marla Bojorge Zúñiga Lawyer in a registered trademark. My business idea became a reality and since then I have acquired numerous international awards including myself on serious lists where my opinion is taken into account.
I am proud of my vision and now of my positioning. The road has been long, but I am happy. I have fulfilled my academic and now professional dreams.
What is your opinion on the necessity for businesses to align their offerings with newer technological developments, especially when it comes to Digital Transformation?
It’s crucial. The ethical use of technology in the business allows speed, simplicity and in many cases generates confidence in the consumer. And I repeat, I use ethics respecting the person himself. For example, the pandemic in 2020 highlighted the need to have a quick and effective option to continue working despite a situation that is global.
What is your thought on the necessity of a positive work culture? In what ways do you implement it at your organization?
It’s basic. It helps the brain to work better and to its full capacity. People feel accepted, motivated and efficient. Anything that is a bonfire of vanities is disastrous.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
My Father (Moisés Bojorge), My Mother (Myriam Zúñiga), My Maternal Grandmother, my school Institute Pedagogical “La Salle” in Managua, Nicaragua with my childhood friends, Pope Francis, in some cases Ursula von der Leyen. And like books, those that taught me to dream “LA ILIADA”, “PLATERO and I”, “The Manual of War” (China), “SIDARTHA”,
What is your take on CSR activity and in what ways have you contributed to the community?
In Corporate Social Responsibility, I follow the 2030 agenda of the United Nations particularly human rights. I participated in the draft of guidelines for Spain in the commission of small businesses with comments and ideas. My last idea was “take care of Human Rights”
How do you envision on sustaining your company’s competency in a cutthroat and volatile world of business? Where do you see your company in the next five years?
Using technology more and more and striving to make this use suitable for people, companies, and society as a whole.
What are your future aspirations? What strategies are you undertaking to achieve those goals?
Have a more balanced and advanced lifestyle with quality-of-life standards.
As an established business leader, what would be your advice to the budding entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into the Law industry?
Choose your mentor carefully. On the contrary, if you are in your own guide, then this is my piece of advice: “do not be afraid and be patient.”