Dominique Dynes

21/06/2022

💜🇲🇽💜

Our closets, walls, and drawers sit empty.
But our hearts (and suitcases) are so so full.

Who knew that Mexico would transform into our home for fifteen years?

That the people here would fill our lives with so much joy and laughter and become our family while living abroad.

That lime and fresh salsa and agua de piña would become such staples in our home.

That chilaquiles, molcajetes, and street tacos would be our favorite foods when we go out.

That church would be a community that focuses on LOVE and not all the other stuff that gets in the way.

That a language I barely spoke 16 years ago would be the native tongue of my husband and spoken so fluently by our children.

That dancing in the kitchen would become a part of our daily lives.

That palm trees, bougainvillea, and colorful, tropical trees would be the backdrop of our commute or walks every day.

That not only 2, but 3 kids would be "Hecho en México" before we say our goodbyes.

Forever changed, forever grateful for this country that welcomed us with open arms.

🇲🇽 Life may take us out of Mexico, but it'll never take Mexico out of us.

21/06/2022

Our closets, walls, and drawers sit empty.
But our hearts (and suitcases) are so so full.

Who knew that Mexico would transform into our home for fifteen years?

That the people here would fill our lives with so much joy and laughter and become our family while living abroad.

That lime and fresh salsa and agua de piña would become such staples in our home.

That chilaquiles, molcajetes, and street tacos would be our favorite foods when we go out.

That church would be a community that focuses on LOVE and not all the other stuff that gets in the way.

That a language I barely spoke 16 years ago would be the native tongue of my husband and spoken so fluently by our children.

That dancing in the kitchen would become a part of our daily lives.

That palm trees, bougainvillea, and colorful, tropical trees would be the backdrop of our commute or walks every day.

That not only 2, but 3 kids would be "Hecho en México" before we say our goodbyes.

Forever changed, forever grateful for this country that welcomed us with open arms.

🇲🇽 Life may take us out of Mexico, but it'll never take Mexico out of us.

30/03/2022

It is said that at the end of our life, we regret more the things we never tried than the ones we did.

Every day we have choices.
To be kind.
To show up.
To take risks.
To set boundaries.
To trust ourselves.

I don't know about you, but I'm trying to live a courageous life that has me showing up, being kind to myself and others, and taking some risks this year that have me nervous at times, but I'd rather try than always wonder.

Brene Brown and her books have been so formative in my own life - Atlas of the Heart is no exception - putting words to emotions helps us navigate these turbulent days and waters that sometimes feel unbearable. Do yourself a favor and get your own copy today to start making your way back to yourself to understand your place, purpose, and passion in charting your path.

17/03/2022

This month we are talking about why we need to spend the same amount of energy crafting our customer experience as we do our "branding," because customer experience is the most important part of branding!

Interested in checking it out?

Http://dominiquedynes.com/webinars

19/02/2022

🙌 Raise your hands if you agree.
So much of growth comes from saying "Yes"
even when we're not quite ready to do so.

And here's the thing, saying YES opens up so many new doors.
Sharing your story may be just what someone else needs to hear.

You'll never know what's waiting on the other side of the door
if you never take the steps to walk through it.

What about you?
What are you saying yes to?
What fears are you facing?
What doors are you walking through?

This weekend, I'm facing a fear of mine and speaking at in Spanish, and sharing my story and God's hand and grace through it all.

Come join us for the best coffee in town and the greatest community you'll ever find.

30/01/2022

09/01/2022

Been quiet lately on the podcast while I'm working on a few different projects.

Excited to launch 2022 with some new business webinars made for anybody starting or growing a small business!

https://www.dominiquedynes.com/webinars

Join business experts the third Thursday of each month with a live webinar designed to push you forward in your business and dreams with practical steps and encouragement, Each webinar has time for a Q/A as well.

31/10/2021

Today's episode is a must-listen for all women!

From vulnerability talking about depression to overcoming breast cancer, Sabrina shares her joys and struggles of living abroad in Mexico. Listen and share with your friends as prevention is key to breast cancer. Get your mammogram!

You can get in touch with Sabrina here: [email protected] or send me a DM if you want to get connected!

And the website she mentions is knowyourlemons.com to learn more about breast cancer prevention.

Listen here on Spotify or on your favorite podcast platform: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dbfANBP1dlucGFqR3SXbX?si=mEik-WAiQJ6Du8f_cXq1uw

10/10/2021

In today's episode, Dominique dives into this idea that decisions have to be either A or B as honestly so many of us struggle with binary thinking. She shares a conversation that changed her perspective and what she's learning about life, love, and decisions these days.

Embrace La Musica has been around now for 19 months and we've had all sorts of different episodes...musings from Dominique on life, interviews with incredible women living abroad, and conversations with her husband in Spanish about love. What would you like to see more of? Send Dominique a DM and share what you want to hear!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mLIGSnwCDwR2UqTJgpHVo?si=QmFVttUUTDSFlFJsCg4FnA&dl_branch=1

04/10/2021

Join us today to learn from Jenica Flores is a friend and passionate designer who goes beyond the surface level design and really gets to know her clients and who they are as she brings her expertise and worldwide experience into each and every room she decorates along with a fun cocktail to match the decor.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5trsYaI16Fd3nOBx4uTHwn?si=JOPv_PP5QkKeYarvFMjdbg&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1

Please listen to today's vulnerable episode that goes so much deeper than design as we dive into IVF failure, connections to Afghanistan, living apart from her spouse for an unexpected amount of time and what life looks like as we reflect on our space and style.

"While traveling you learn so much about other people and about yourself. I learned that I am stronger than I ever thought I was. It was a great experience overall, but it was hard in the moment being isolated. I was awake when my family was asleep, it was hard staying in touch." - Jenica

She also gives us tangible tips to implement today and enjoys our house and design even more!

Find her on Instagram:
Her website is: https://www.jgiovanna.com/

22/08/2021

What she hears the most often from other women is that they struggle feeling as though they have to choose between their kids and their dreams, does that sound familiar? Do you give up who you are for other people? Bianca Saeed is a motherhood empowerment coach and helps women through the transitions that happen as a mom.

Her story is super inspiring and she shares practical tips with all of us, share and listen with a friend. Check out her work here,

https://motherhoodempowerment.com/are-you-a-codependent-mom/

Episode on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

18/08/2021

"How we spend our days, is of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard

Wow. Heard this quote on a podcast last week and couldn't shake it.

I know it's obvious, but it sure got me thinking about how I'm spending my time, what I'm stressing over, whom I am prioritizing, and so on.

It won't magically get better "tomorrow", we mold our future by living today.

We only get one chance, one life and it starts with one day at a time.

Today is it.

And it's all we really have, one day at a time to shape how we are spending our lives.

09/08/2021

👋 Well hello again after 6 weeks of some serious rest from the podcast, we are back talking about the importance of rest especially after this exhausting couple of years. Also, how it feels being rusty at something and needing to ask for help when we don't know something as well as the risks we can take along the way towards the unknown.

Hope you're encouraged by today's episode and share it with a friend.

07/08/2021

Your road isn't going to look like someone else's path.

And it shouldn't.

The roads we travel, the turns we take, the bumps along the way are all a part of our stories.

Been having some good conversations lately about winding roads that I'll be sharing soon with some new interviews and chats on .

Yup, after a long and necessary break, we'll be back tomorrow.

06/08/2021

Life is a balancing act far too often.

It's okay to say no.

It's okay to not work when you're not on the clock.

It's okay to have a life outside of work.

It's okay to do something "just because" or for fun.

Not only is it okay, but you're also better off because of it.

If you don't set boundaries for yourself,
someone else will take your time, your energy, and your best self.

You are worth your boundaries, so set them and stick to them.

Just dropping this message here for anybody else who needs it right now.

💪What about you? Have you had to say no this week?

Tag a friend who inspires you to set more boundaries or who could use this reminder.

19/07/2021

Everyone always says that money doesn't buy happiness. And I find it said even more often to us ambitious women, or at least so it seems.

And though money doesn't buy happiness, it sure helps pay the bills and makes sure that our basic needs are met.

If we are worried about constant debt, bills, and how we're gonna make it to the end of the month, there's a certain amount of happiness that is robbed.

💣 Reading book, "We should all be Millionaires" this month, and damn there's a lot of truth bombs in this book. From the conversations on equity and systemic racism and sexism to the realities of women in the workforce and expectations at home.

There's a lot of work to be done on this front, but I'm grateful for women like Rachel pushing us all and teaching us the principles to make million-dollar decisions and have no shame talking about money and the way it helps.

💵 Drop a $ if you want more financial freedom and less stress when it comes to your bills! And tag a friend who should read this book. (Also would love to hear if you've read this book yet or not!)

08/07/2021

🙌 Anybody else feel this way?

I said this to a friend a couple of days ago and it rings so true, "Life is beautiful when and where you choose to see it."

Sometimes we feel like we need to travel the world or explore all the new places but forget that our backyard is full of beauty too.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's green where you choose to see it.

22/06/2021

In this episode, we get to know my friend Hannah who opens up about their journey with infertility and the different treatments they've experienced, and what they are currently trying. She shares about the ups and downs of her marriage through this all and how they decided to stay in Mexico versus the UK.

Beyond sharing her struggles, Hannah is a successful businesswoman and gives us all advice on how to keep going when business is tough and how to come back after taking a break.

Take a listen, share with a friend or two to encourage them today. Thanks Hannah for being brave and sharing your story.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hUZVAVbLelARKJe1Rz2dY?si=8ywKBpCkQV-MGzc40fQMZg&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1

Hannah's website: Www.gdllanguagesolutions.com
Hannah's Email: [email protected]

And if you're wanting a community and coaching to take action on your own business dreams, check out theterraza.club or email me at [email protected]

16/06/2021

And if we don't have wine, we'll some over.

But for real, so grateful for deep friendships that know the messy and real me.

It's such a gift to share laughs, make memories, shed tears, and keep our door always open, despite a house well-lived in, aka we have kids and can't keep up with the disasters.

Today one of my besties turns 40 and inspires me every single day. She is brave, strong, kind, smart, adventurous, and beautiful. Love you

10/06/2021

Pink is her favorite color.
I swear I had no say in the matter.

We've always tried to be gender-neutral when it comes to colors,
but her heart chose pink.

So when I left for my run in the early morning,
she begged me to take a picture of a pink flower just for her.

This one is for you Zoe,
my brave girl so full of life as your name symbolizes,
and so in love with pink since forever.

07/06/2021

In this episode, Dominique tells a story in which a co-worker said "I see you." and how she's been thinking about these three words and the power they hold when we acknowledge others by seeing them. Get 4 tips on how to be more intentional with seeing others by listening to today's episode and sharing with your friends.

Also, if you're interested in The Terraza Club, doors close June 30th - find out more at theterraza.club (link also in bio)

02/06/2021

In this episode, Dominique talks about the importance of grace and empathy with yourself following this crazy year we've all experienced. She models it, posting this episode a couple of days late, as life simply gets in the way sometimes. It's easy to fall into the comparison trap or feel upset about our lack of progress at times. And it turns out, most of our friends are doing the same as Dominique shares. So tune in and listen as she encourages us with a couple of stories from the past few weeks.

23/05/2021

Todo comenzó cuando ella trabajaba en una fábrica de plásticos y se preguntaba por la contaminación que se estaba produciendo. Paulina Lopez es ingeniera industrial y científica con su doctorado en biotecnología.

Al ver la necesidad en México de menos contaminación y más educación sobre los suministros de limpieza y los productos químicos que se utilizan, comenzó Green Supplies MX. Es una empresa que abastece y produce localmente productos de limpieza no tóxicos y biodegradables.

Durante los últimos 18 meses, lo que comenzó como ver una necesidad en su comunidad, se convirtió en una idea y un sueño ahora está floreciendo y cambiando de hogar en todo el país. Escuche la pasión y el corazón de Pau mientras nos cuenta cómo comenzó su empresa y sobre su amor por la ciencia, su familia y sus sueños para el futuro.

https://www.greensupplies.mx/

https://anchor.fm/dominique-dynes/episodes/Ep-55-Siguiendo-sus-sueos-mientras-logra-un-impacto-ambiental-con-Paulina-Lopez-e11e82m

It all started when she was working at a plastic factory and wondering about the contamination that was taking place. Paulina Lopez is an industrial engineer and scientist with her PHD in biochemistry. Seeing a need in Mexico for less contamination and more education about cleaning supplies and the chemicals being used, she started Green Supplies MX. It's a company that locally sources and produces non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products. Over the last 18 months, what started as seeing a need in her community, grew to an idea and dream is now flourishing and changing homes around the country. Listen to Pau's passion and heart as she tells us how she started her company and about her love for science, her family and dreams for the future.

19/05/2021

"What if instead of focusing on all the things you theoretically want to get done, you simply focus on what you need to get done for today? How satisfied would you feel if you simply got done what you need to for today?"

That is one of many questions that poses in his latest book, "Effortless" - it's all about taking the hard things in life and making them easier: starting with your state of mind, to taking action, and ultimately getting to the results of living an effortless life.

So often we don't start something because we are overwhelmed with all the necessary steps from A to B. What if we take one bite at a time instead of trying to eat the whole pie from the beginning?

Do yourself a favor, go buy this book and makeover your life (link in bio) - one step at a time, it's definitely one of the top books I've read so far in 2021.

And make yourself a "Done for the Day" list instead of a to-do list - it's changing my life. For real.

16/05/2021

Desde niña, supo que sería una oradora pública. Trabajó en sus talentos y dones a lo largo de los años creyendo en sí misma y es por eso que está donde está hoy. Escuche el episodio de hoy sobre la comunicación, los sueños y la toma de decisiones sobre su futuro mientras se rodea de las personas adecuadas en el camino.

Sígala en o en para aclarar su mensaje y su marca (en Instagram)

From a young girl, she knew that she would be a public speaker. She worked on her talents and gifts over the years beliving in herself and that's why she is where she is today. Listen to today's episode about communication, dreaming and making decisions about your future while surrounding yourself with the right people along the way.

Follow her at or at to clarify your message and branding. (in Instagram)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ekcRah8NwYWQORgpopUjY?si=xrUmaLqBTnO0GrtaMn4Mkg

06/05/2021

Here's the deal: Either you decide what you're going to do and how you'll spend your time, or someone else will gladly fill it up for you.

This is one of the many truth bombs in "Indistractable" by Nir Eyal, a book I finally read last week after ironically putting it off for too long distracted with other books, activities and things on my to-do list.

We all get distracted, it's what we do when we are triggered that makes the difference.

🙌WANT SOME HANDS-ON HELP WITH THIS?

🖐YOU'RE IN LUCK - I took the 5 steps that I use and put it in a fun online guide for you with videos and pdfs to work at your own pace and IT'S 50% OFF FOR 10 MORE DAYS - get more time back in your day and "Do More by Doing Less" - link in bio.

😘Share with a sister you needs more time in their day.

https://www.dominiquedynes.com/minicourse

02/05/2021

Únase a Dominique hoy mientras aprende más sobre cómo un graduado de la escuela de medicina terminó dirigiendo uno de los restaurantes más tradicionales aquí en Guadalajara. Lupita Salcedo habla sobre sus platos favoritos en el restaurante, los mayores desafíos que ha enfrentado como propietaria de un restaurante y cómo equilibra la vida con una carrera, una familia y su propia salud mental. Y su mensaje al final es clave para todos, todos podemos apoyarnos y como ella dice "Todas somos chingonas" y siempre debemos apoyarnos.

Sigue La Chata en Instagram para ver sus platos y ver su info.

Join Dominique today as she learns more about how a medical school graduate ended up running one of the most traditional restaurants here in Guadalajara. Lupita Salcedo talks about her favorite dishes at the restaurant, the biggest challenges she's faced as a restaurant owner and how she balances life with a career, family and her own mental health. And her message at the end is key for all of us, we can all support one another and as she says "Todas somos chingonas" and we should always support each other.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4CQMuaAEJACjb8GdpLivW0?si=twmp30trR2OwUzYd_gX7Hw

30/04/2021

I wish we'd thought of this sooner.

A homemade flight for Date Night.

Not the airplane sort of flight, but one of beers, my dears.

It's a win/win for everyone.

We support a local business (or two) and have extra fun on our weekly date night, trying new beers and figuring out what we like.

It's just as (or more) fun as getting out AND less expensive without paying for a sitter, parking, tip or costly drinks. And it's covid-friendly.

🍻6 STEPS TO MAKE DATE NIGHT A LITTLE MORE FUN:
1. Order your favorite local beer(s) - We went with some new ones from
2. Order some yummy take-out so nobody has to cook or clean - Gracias
3. Sit outside on your terraza, patio, yard, curb - whatever you have.
4. Put on a playlist you both agree on (we went for a solid salsa & reggaeton mix - that's our jam and never disappoints).
5. Serve your flights of beer - it feels fancy even in mismatched glasses.
6. Sip, Chat, Dance, Stargaze. You do you. The sky is the limit.

25/04/2021

Jump on today’s episode as Dominique unpacks what is traditionally a business term and how it affects all of us every single day in the big and the little decisions. Whether it’s about the food you order on a menu, the people in your life or the career moves, so much of our decisions are based on cost-sunk bias.

The 4 questions asked are:
In what areas of your life may a sunk-cost bias be persuading or influencing your decisions?
If you were able to identify an area, what actions could you take to change that direction?
Are your daily habits and actions working in your favor for the life you want to be creating?
What sort of decisions may change if you look at life from a zero-budget instead of building on the way things have always been done?

And as mentioned, the link to the mini-course walking you through my 5 step method to do more by doing less: https://www.dominiquedynes.com/minicourse

https://anchor.fm/dominique-dynes/episodes/Ep-52-Cost-Sunk-Bias--how-it-affects-our-everyday-decisions-evkqo3

18/04/2021

Embrace la Musica is back this week after taking two weeks off for Spring Break.

Today, Minerva Estrada tells us how her life has taken her full circle from California as a baby, to Guadalajara for 3 years as a child, back to California, where she met her husband and now in Guadalajara for 8 years. She shares her story and her passion for hair as her traveling hair salon provides a need for a unique niche market in Guadalajara.

Listen and learn how her business all started thanks to one key connection who invited her into her home and introduced Minerva to her circle of clients. One person really can make a difference in our careers!

Don't forget to get on "The Scoop" mailing list as mentioned at the end of the podcast - all things fun, new and sunny found here: https://www.dominiquedynes.com/the-scoop

Also, for all the Apple lovers and users, is now on Apple Podcasts, so jump over there, leave a review and 5 stars!

And find Minerva on Instagram where she hangs out posting pictures of her work: https://www.instagram.com/minerva.styles/

https://anchor.fm/dominique-dynes/episodes/Ep-51-How-one-connection-can-change-your-career-with-Minerva-Estrada-ev4q7v