Elissa Villicana is the founder of AStartupSpace, a Latina-owned, Arizona-based business turning startup confusion into startup clarity. With over 18 years of experience working with Fortune 500s and global entrepreneurs alike, she’s helped more than 250 founders stress-test their business ideas. In 2021, she launched AStartupSpace to offer solopreneur-led, practical guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs who are tired of vague advice and outdated, out-of-touch frameworks.
Many ideas stall before they even start -because women often carry the weight of self-doubt, family obligations, or simply don’t know where to begin.
Eli’s proven method is now being brought to life. Designed for accessibility, AStartupSpace is built for aspiring founders anywhere in the world, supporting all learning styles, all life stages, and all budgets.
This startup ecosystem will be an educational hub of resources from 1:1 consulting, a growing entrepreneurship education program series, a founder playbook eBook, and an AI-powered business dashboard launching in 2026.
Eli Villicana, a Latina entrepreneur and founder of AStartupSpace
Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi, I’m Elissa Villicana—founder of AStartupSpace. I’m an Arizona native, a proud Latina solopreneur, and someone who knows firsthand how confusing and lonely the startup journey can feel, especially for women.
Before launching AStartupSpace, I spent over 18 years in business and marketing, working with startups across the globe and even some Fortune 500 brands. But it was the one-on-one time with founders, especially first-time women entrepreneurs, that lit something in me. I kept hearing the same story: “I have an idea, but I don’t know where to begin.” So in 2021, I made the leap. I launched AStartupSpace, a business designed to bring clarity to early-stage entrepreneurs and help people actually build the business they’ve been circling in their minds for years. It started with one-on-one consulting. Then came a 20-course education program. Now, it’s expanding into an e-book and a 2026 AI-powered startup dashboard -because everyone deserves access to tools that match their learning style, life stage, and budget.
AStartupSpace is more than a business; it’s a mission. I’m building what I wish I had when I started: a space that meets you exactly where you are in life, and helps you move forward with confidence, and a coach.
Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story?
My name is Elissa Villicana, and I’m the founder of AStartupSpace, a Latina-owned, Arizona-based business that turns startup confusion into startup clarity. After more than a decade working across corporate teams, mergers, and acquisitions, I realized I was becoming just a number -not a name, not a voice, not a driver. But it was the push I didn’t know I needed. That corporate detour brought me full circle to a dream I had started years earlier: to build something of my own.
Entrepreneurship runs deep in my story. I grew up watching my aunt start her own consulting firm in the early ‘90s — a bold move as a Latina businesswoman at the time — and my father, an electrical engineer, test energy efficiency concepts around the world. I saw firsthand the tradeoffs of building a business — like my father being gone on work trips — but also the freedom of creating something that no one can take away. A job can disappear overnight. A vision, when built right, becomes a legacy.
So whether I was called or catapulted into this path — I’m here. And I’m bringing everything with me. The experience. The ambition. The purpose. AStartupSpace is my startup baby — and like many women, I’ve poured into it with the same drive to nurture, grow, and build something bigger than myself. Not for the buzzwords or ego — but because I believe deeply that more people around the world deserve the tools to take their own shot.
Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?
Too many great ideas never leave the notes app. Most people stall because they don’t know where to start, lack a support system, or simply don’t feel “qualified enough.” Especially women—we often carry the weight of imposter syndrome, family obligations, or being underestimated in the room.
I launched AStartupSpace to change that. My mission is to make building a business more accessible, less intimidating, and a whole lot more practical—especially for those who don’t fit the traditional mold of an entrepreneur.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
Building a business from scratch, as a solo Latina founder, during a time when the odds aren’t always in our favor—that’s the win.
But more than that, I’ve had the privilege of working with over 250 entrepreneurs across 15+ countries, helping stress test ideas and shape real, viable startup plans. Now, I’m turning that experience into something scalable: a global startup hub that’s accessible to anyone, anywhere. Whether it’s 1:1 coaching, my 20-course online program, a self-paced eBook, or the AI dashboard launching in 2026—I’ve created tools that meet aspiring founders at any learning style or budget.
What challenges have you faced in the workplace, especially your experience in male-dominated environments?
I know what it’s like to fight for space, which is why AStartupSpace isn’t just about launching startups—it’s about empowering underrepresented founders to step into leadership with confidence and clarity.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
Representation is the beginning, but resources are the key. We need funding pathways, mentorship spaces, and business tools that work with our realities -not against them. Childcare support, flexible learning models, non-gatekept education -these are the things that actually move the needle. That’s why AStartupSpace was intentionally built to accommodate any learning style, life stage, or budget. We need more ecosystems that prioritize access as much as advice.
What advice would you give to a new business owner? Or to your younger self? You don’t need to have all the answers on day one—but you do need a plan. One of the biggest myths is that successful founders knew exactly what they were doing from the start. The truth is, what separates dreamers from doers is structure. Having a real framework—even a simple one—gives your idea direction and traction. That’s exactly why I created AStartupSpace: to help founders stop guessing and start building.
And remember, your vision matters more than your visibility. Quiet growth is still growth. You don’t need to go viral -you need to stay consistent.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
Most startup advice online is vague, outdated, or one-size-fits-all. At AStartupSpace, we meet founders where they are. I built a startup method based on four phases—Discover, Plan, Launch, Grow—that’s been stress-tested against hundreds of real businesses. What sets me apart is that this isn’t theory—it’s tactical, customizable, and human. And it’s delivered in formats that actually serve people’s lives: whether you’re a working mom who prefers self-paced content, someone needing accountability through coaching, or a founder excited to try AI-powered planning tools. I designed this hub for real life.
What are the three most important habits to be a successful high performer or leader?
Building structure into your week – Especially as a solopreneur, your calendar has to be your co-founder. From creative work to admin and self-care, I block time so I can actually run the business instead of getting lost in it.
Being resourceful, not perfect – Startups are never linear. The most powerful habit is being solution-oriented instead of stuck on perfection.
Knowing when to say no – As women, we’re often wired to overextend. But saying no to distractions or misaligned opportunities has been the ultimate growth hack.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
“Let’s move with a purpose.”
This isn’t just a quote—it’s how I approach life and entrepreneurship. Whether I’m coaching founders or building the next phase of AStartupSpace, everything I do is driven by clarity, impact, and forward momentum. There’s no time to build just for the sake of building. Move with intention, or don’t move at all.
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