From Immigrant Struggle to Nationwide DMV Empire

Summary

Living Your Legacy Podcast – Women in Power Edition

Episode Title: From Immigrant Struggle to Nationwide DMV Empire
Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Jadira Ameal, Founder & President of Executive Tag and Title Services
Date: May 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Living Your Legacy" features Jadira Ameal, a resilient entrepreneur and immigrant who transformed her struggles into the foundation for a successful, nationwide vehicle titling and registration business. Through a candid and energetic conversation, Jadira shares her inspiring journey from her challenging early days as an immigrant in New York to becoming the founder and president of Executive Tag and Title Services. The discussion centers around overcoming industry barriers, the importance of innovation, and Jadira’s drive to empower others while creating a legacy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jadira’s Early Life & Immigrant Roots

• Struggles of Immigrant Upbringing:
  • Arrived in the US at age seven, with just one suitcase for five family members (07:21).
  • “I still remember that. One luggage. One luggage for five of us. So coming into this country, I saw. I was seven years old when I migrated into the United States, New York City. So imagine that.” (07:21, Jadira Ameal)
• Family Influence:
  • Mom worked tirelessly to provide for the family—her example instilled a relentless work ethic.
  • “I think that fire came from seeing my mother working endlessly. Coming to this country, obviously, we are immigrants... And I think that fire grew from. I kind of learned that from her as today I kind of see it as it's from her.” (07:21, Jadira Ameal)
• Adjusting to a New World:
  • Navigated language barriers and cultural differences, relying on non-Spanish-speaking teachers using improvised sign language.
  • “She actually took her time to sit in back of the classroom and teach me the ABCs... And she didn't know Spanish, so we were like sign languages.” (09:11, Jadira Ameal)

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2. Entering the Automotive World

• Origin Story:
  • Started working at a dealership’s service department as her second job, initially as a secretary (03:43).
  • Passion for cars and a knack for problem-solving led her up the ranks—eventually managing a dealership and witnessing inefficiencies in DMV titling and registration processes.
  • “I found the importance of the actual DNV titling and registration desk at a dealership. That is the desk that really, one, gets yelled at a lot. Two, everybody thinks that you're the one to blame all the time. So I found the importance of that department, and I kind of urged to want help. I'm a big helper. I love to solve issues.” (04:53, Jadira Ameal)
• Building Expertise:
  • Self-driven learning, moved from admin to accounting and management roles, learning all aspects of dealership operations.

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3. Building Executive Tag and Title Services

• Genesis of the Business:
  • Health issues became the catalyst for starting her own firm:
    • “It came some health issues in between all of that. It kind of like threw me and said, you know what? You have no choice. So that's when I said, okay, it's either now or never. And that's how I started Executive Tag. With just a little laptop. Yeah, it was a laptop.” (05:31, Jadira Ameal)
• White-Glove Approach & Nationwide Expansion:
  • Not just a Florida company—now offering services nationwide.
  • Built exclusive relationships with DMV offices and designed her own processing center.
  • “I've been able to build a lot of direct contacts with DMV offices nationwide. So that has kind of gave me the leverage, Leverage upper hand. And the one in one exclusive white glove service, which is what I call executive tag and title.” (06:36, Jadira Ameal)
• Empowering Dealers & Public:
  • Services both dealerships and the public by simplifying and managing all aspects of title and registration—reducing inefficiencies and confusion.

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4. Overcoming Barriers as an Immigrant & Woman

• Industry Challenges:
  • Faced discrimination for being a woman, Latina, and an immigrant in a male-dominated car industry.
  • “A male dominated industry. On top of that, you're immigrant, you know, you're Spanish, you're a girl, they look at you like, what does this girl know about, you know, the pretty one? ... I had a lot of doors shut in my face, believe it or not. So that was a very tough, tough. A challenge to overcome and do it so with that as women, you know that we are, when we do something, we try to do it in perfection.” (11:18, Jadira Ameal)
• Her Solution:
  • Surpassed skepticism through professionalism, expertise, and tireless problem-solving.
  • Built trust by always delivering what was promised, relentlessly pursuing solutions.

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5. Innovation and Technology in DMV Services

• Modernizing with Technology:
  • Customized dealer portal for streamlined, transparent, real-time processing—automating calculations, documents, and fee disclosures.
  • “With that I was able to customize a portal Designed just for dealerships to be able to, to get that information at just a click of a button so in real time, giving them the taxes, the sales taxes, the DMV fees, all the hidden fees that a lot of other competitors do not have.” (13:26, Jadira Ameal)
• Constantly Evolving:
  • Emphasizes continual investment in tech to stay ahead—critical in a traditionally slow-moving industry.

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6. Lasting Impact & Legacy

• Why She Does It:
  • Driven by a desire to help others—dealers, public, and immigrants—by solving real-world bureaucratic problems.
  • “I'm here to help and solve everyone. I mean, I love to help. I love to bring that solution to the dealerships. And like I said, that is what sets us apart.” (16:39, Jadira Ameal)
• Vision for the Future:
  • Proud of being recognized nationwide and being known as the go-to solution.
  • Inspired to continue evolving her business and empowering others as her legacy.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “There isn't anything you haven't given me so far that I can't find a solution. And if not, trust me, I work endlessly until I get the solution for it.”
  — Jadira Ameal (00:32; 04:53, repeated with emphasis)

• “I still remember that. One luggage. One luggage for five of us.”
  — Jadira Ameal (07:21)

• “She actually took her time to sit in back of the classroom and teach me the ABCs... And she didn't know Spanish, so we were like sign languages.”
  — Jadira Ameal (09:11)

• On being a woman in a male-dominated field:
  “They look at you like, what does this girl know about, you know, the pretty one?... Wouldn't even give me the time of days. I had a lot of doors shut in my face.”
  — Jadira Ameal (11:18)

• About innovation:
  “That took me to that other level... you have to stay up there and with, with the competition.”
  — Jadira Ameal (14:09)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32: Jadira details her problem-solving approach & value of service
• 03:43: Recounts her early dealership and body shop experiences
• 05:31: Launches Executive Tag amid adversity
• 06:36: Discusses “white glove” service and nationwide reach
• 07:21: Shares poignant memories of immigrating to NYC
• 09:11: Thanks influential teacher who broke the language barrier
• 11:18: Candid discussion of gender and cultural barriers in the industry
• 13:26: Describes custom dealer portal and tech innovations
• 14:52: Revisits the role of customer service and processing centers
• 16:39: Reflects on her growth, reputation, and legacy

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains a warm, energetic, and conversational tone—rooted in humor, cultural camaraderie, mutual respect, and gratitude. Both host and guest reminisce about immigrant family life, hardships, and triumphs, leading to actionable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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Final Reflection

Jadira Ameal’s journey exemplifies grit, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to your word. Her story is a testament to immigrant resilience and the ability to turn lived experience into innovative enterprise, leaving a legacy that transforms both industry and community.

Essential takeaway:
If you see a messy system the world tolerates—dare to fix it. Relentless effort, integrity, and a service mindset can open doors previously shut and create nationwide impact.

Transcript

[Jadira Ameal]

It was very tough at the beginning. I had a lot of doors shut in my face. Believe it or not, a male dominated industry. On top of that, you're immigrant, you know, you're Spanish, you're a girl. They look at you like, what does this girl know about? I was able to overcome this challenge.

[Narrator]

By Jadira Ameal is a resilient visionary entrepreneur and the founder and president of Executive Tag and Title Services. Drawing from her journey as an immigrant and business leader, she is redefining titling and registration services through innovation, efficiency and a commitment to empowering others through integrity and hard work.

[Jadira Ameal]

There isn't anything you haven't given me so far that I can't find a solution. And if not, trust me, I work endlessly until I get the solution for it. This is where Executive tax comes in place. We provide that processing center with knowledgeable and experienced title clerks that have also been in the industry so they're able to speak the language with the clients, our dealers, and we take that load off the dealership so they don't have to worry about it. We are the white glove service, the processing centers that they are looking for. That's what sets us apart.

[Podcast Announcer]

Like a super high school Internet. Elvis Preston 5:3 Today Apple is going to reinvent Levant. It's not over until I win the Living youg Legacy podcast. For those who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary. The impossible has been. Oh, that is sensational. Jordan Open Chicago with the lead Usain Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your life.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome back to another episode of the Living your Legacy podcast, the Woman in Power edition. Joining me today on this amazing Friday afternoon in Miami, all the way from Palm West Palm beach, is the executive of all Executive. She is the founder of Executive Tag Title and Services. Literally a godsend. If you've been spending too many hours at the dmv. How are you? Please take the time to introduce yourself.

[Jadira Ameal]

Well, thank you so much. First of all, thank you for having me here. It's a true honor to be able to come here and talk a little bit of executive tag and titles. What it is and what is it that we do for nationwide, for all 50 states?

[Podcast Host]

Yadira, please, we need to hear your name.

[Jadira Ameal]

Jadira the Spanish Way Jadira the English Jadira the Spanish Jadira.

[Podcast Host]

And that's why I took a moment for her to say it because I didn't want to butcher that, even though I can say it in Spanish. But again, our brains are a little Meshed here. How are you? Welcome.

[Jadira Ameal]

Thank you so much. I'm doing well. Like I said, I'm very excited to be here with you.

[Podcast Host]

So we kind of do this thing vividly. Sometimes we do the podcast after an interview. But you're a special case. You're doing. We're doing the podcast before your interview.

[Jadira Ameal]

Well, thank you. I've been told I've been special.

[Podcast Host]

They're very special. Give us a preview. What are we going to learn about you in your Women in Power episode?

[Jadira Ameal]

Well, I want to share with you a little bit more of my personal life, my life story. This is actually going to be the first time where I share a lot of personal things in here. So I'm really honored that a lot of people are going to be able to see that, hear my story, and how I came and found executive tax. So I saw the importance of this industry because I came from the industry. I worked in the industry for a very long time. It was actually my second job ever. So when I started working at dealerships, the automotive industry, I learned a lot. I mean, I wanted to learn so much that it became, like, one of my passions.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. For sure. You kind of saw something broke in a system that needed a quick polish, and here you came, you optimized it. It's funny because I thought your origin story would come from the dmv. It actually comes from the cars, the dealership. Talk about that day when you were, you know, your second job in. And I'm sure you were itty bitty. You're like, walk us through that whole experience, your origin story.

[Jadira Ameal]

Actually, you know, I was very young first. I'll start with this. I got married very young, at a young age, as Latinos do. It's very common as Latinos do. You know, your parents are like, you're not leaving my house unless you're married.

[Podcast Host]

Latinos don't live. We survive. And then we thrive.

[Podcast Announcer]

Correct.

[Podcast Host]

Whatever it takes, we have to make it.

[Jadira Ameal]

So that was actually my second job. I was offered to go help at a dealership to be the service department secretary.

[Podcast Host]

Right on.

[Jadira Ameal]

And I kind of, you know, got it interested on vehicles. So I grew this passion. Wow. I love vehicles. I ended up having such a big interest in it from then I ended up working at the body shop, so as a secretary. So I kind of learned to give estimates to vehicles, believe it or not.

[Podcast Host]

And then you curse a lot more for some odd.

[Jadira Ameal]

Oh, my goodness. Then I realized. Then I realized the whole world out there for. For insurance agencies, you Know the stuff that you have to go through, you know, in an accident or, you know, whatever. So from that, I kind of worked my way up in the dealerships. I found that interest of learning. So immediately I wanted to go to the accounting office. I love numbers. I love, you know, all kinds of messes, if you call it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Jadira Ameal]

So I work my way up in an accounting office to management. I ran a dealership, and from there I saw the importance of the actual DNV titling and registration desk at a dealership. That is the dealership. That is the desk that really, one, gets yelled at a lot. Two, everybody thinks that you're the one to blame all the time. So I found the importance of that department, and I kind of urged to want help. I'm a big helper. I love to solve issues. There isn't anything you haven't given me so far that I can't find the solution. And if not, trust me, I work endlessly until I get the solution for it. So that kind of grew that passion. And a lot of dealerships outside of where I worked at kind of saw my passion that I had, and they're like, they would ask me for help. So once I worked my way up to a dealership, and then it came some health issues in between all of that. It kind of like through me and said, you know what? You have no choice. So that's when I said, okay, it's either now or never. And that's how I started Executive Tax. With just a little laptop. Yeah, it was a laptop.

[Podcast Host]

Are you franchised now or do you have this one location in West Palm?

[Jadira Ameal]

I have the one location, but I'm actually nationwide, so the business is known nationwide.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Because I'm pretty sure we just recently tried. I had a partner, Lauren, just moved in from Michigan, so we're registering the car in Florida. And we went to the DMV going through the whole old rigmarole process, and we got told at the door, there's no more appointments. You got to go to an executive. One of these, I'm pretty sure was. I'm pretty sure it was you or something. And I remember pulling up going, somebody really should make this a business. And voila, here you are, actually.

[Jadira Ameal]

Yes. And it's. So a lot of people out there don't know. I do service the public as well. So I do have a walk in location where you can come in and if you buy a vehicle, transfer, renew or. A lot of people don't know the issued violations on license plates and tags. So I'm able to solve all that for a lot of people, not just in the state, but nationwide as well. I've been able to build a lot of direct contacts with DMV offices nationwide. So that has kind of gave me the leverage, Leverage upper hand. And the one in one exclusive white glove service, which is what I call executive tag and title.

[Podcast Host]

Hell, yeah. What an amazing origin story. What inspired that? Like you said, you like seeing a mess and trying to fix that. Where do you think that fire comes from?

[Jadira Ameal]

Well, you know what? I think that fire came from seeing my mother working endlessly. Coming to this country, obviously, we are immigrants. I came to this country. I still remember that. One luggage. One luggage for five of us. So coming into this country, I saw. I was seven years old when I migrated into the United States, New York City. So imagine that.

[Podcast Host]

Wow.

[Jadira Ameal]

And I saw my mother, my parents, working so much to be able to provide food on the table like any other immigrant. And I think that fire grew from. I kind of learned that from her as today I kind of see it as it's from her.

[Podcast Host]

It's awesome. I love how you mentioned, oh, a northeast New York immigrant as of already. As a Latinos, we understand already. Oh, that already means you've suffered this way, you've achieved this. And this is your. Like, we already map out the chess. Talk about that pride of knowing that you are an immigrant and that the moment you step into New York, it's almost like somebody just grabs a bucket of grit and just throws it in your face and goes, welcome to New York immigrant.

[Jadira Ameal]

Correct.

[Podcast Host]

Talk about that.

[Jadira Ameal]

In that time, back in those times, there was very small Spanish speaking. So it was really like, you're thrown, you know, as an immigrant, and you're like, you're looking left and right. What do we do? And I mean, I had to grow up, I think, at a very young age because I kind of took care of my little brother. You know, I remember us walking to school, holding hands and my mother leaving very early to go to work.

[Podcast Host]

And your mind, you were very well dressed in little tux and suits now. Yeah, because that's how my grandmother did that to me.

[Jadira Ameal]

No, I'll be honest with you. Back in those days, you know, we came with one luggage. Oh, I understand people like, you know, I. Looking back at those pictures, I'm like, mom, what were you thinking? Yeah, what were you thinking?

[Podcast Host]

I look like a little old man in second grade. My little vest. I always got picked on and cried all the time, but my teachers loved it.

[Podcast Announcer]

Look at Your little gentleman. Yes, yes.

[Jadira Ameal]

And I. I remember so well. You know, there was one specific teacher that really, to this day, I remember her. She actually took her time to sit in back of the classroom and teach me the ABCs.

[Podcast Host]

Wow.

[Jadira Ameal]

You know, teach me how to pronounce the wor. How and how important it was. And she didn't know Spanish, so we were like sign languages. I so remember very well. So I am forever thankful for her.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I remember. I remember Mr. Tolongo, Ms. Garcia, Ms. MacArthur. You know, I remember cheating. I remember not being able to spell purple in second grade because I was an easel kid and I'm frightening having to pee.

[Jadira Ameal]

And you put an esau.

[Podcast Host]

And I put an esau.

[Jadira Ameal]

When you. You put an easel, I'm like, ah, someone's mind you.

[Podcast Host]

And that wasn't a spectrum. So I already had five going.

[Podcast Announcer]

What?

[Jadira Ameal]

I can definitely identify with you.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So did you have siblings? Were you an only child?

[Jadira Ameal]

I do. I do have two siblings. I have two. An older brother and a younger brother.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, right on.

[Jadira Ameal]

So.

[Podcast Host]

So right in the middle.

[Jadira Ameal]

Yeah, we're all very successful, I think, thanks to mom. Mom always. Our parents actually always, you know, told us the importance of educating. Educating yourself. And I didn't get to finish college. You know, I didn't. I only the two years in state college. You know, again, parents couldn't afford it. It was expensive, you know, but by then I, you know, that's why I said I have to build a career because I want to be somebody. I want to do something. I want to make my parents proud. I want to make my family proud.

[Podcast Host]

The only reason why I walked in my graduation is so my grandma can see it, because she was the one that woke up at every. Every day at 5 in the morning so I can have breakfast at 6, so I can be on the school bus at 7 every day.

[Jadira Ameal]

Oh, my God. I remember sometimes my mom would be like, here, here, have some cafe con leche.

[Podcast Host]

I know.

[Jadira Ameal]

At least you have something in your stomach. It will.

[Podcast Host]

Cafe Con 5 is not healthy. Stop doing that.

[Jadira Ameal]

Cafe con lech and burning hot. Yes, you had no choice, but this

[Podcast Host]

is why you beat your children, because you're doing this. It's a cycle. That's not good. Look what happens to us. This is what happens to us. You make us into overachievers. Shame on you.

[Jadira Ameal]

No, I get it. I get it.

[Podcast Host]

How do people find you now? Like your journey as the executive tag of all tags?

[Jadira Ameal]

You know, I. I'll be very honest with you. It's, it was very tough at the beginning.

[Podcast Host]

Sure.

[Jadira Ameal]

A male dominated industry. On top of that, you're immigrant, you know, you're Spanish, you're a girl, they look at you like, what does this girl know about, you know, the pretty one?

[Podcast Host]

We got that yesterday. Oh man.

[Jadira Ameal]

Exactly. You know, I mean I always like to, you know, dress or represent, you know, they look at you like, yeah, okay, whatever. Wouldn't even give me the time of days. I had a lot of doors shut in my face, believe it or not. So that was a very tough, tough. A challenge to overcome and do it so with that as women, you know that we are, when we do something, we try to do it in perfection. So I was able to overcome this challenge by studying, getting to know the problem that the dealership or the person or the department I was facing and I was giving a meeting to a speech about. So I wanted them to know that we are that difference that they were looking for. So executive Tagging titles is actually an agency that provides the DMV transactions to dealerships, handling the issues, the problems because people buy vehicles sometimes when you're out of state, you don't know the guidelines, you don't know the taxes, you don't know fees. There's a lot of hidden fees that involves when it comes to DMV transactions. And like you said it earlier, waiting in line, you know, people have no idea what it entitles to get this transactions done. So of course as I told you, I built, you know, I was able to get direct contact with DMV offices and I was able to do my, my stuff, bring the solution. I mean, giving the dealership my word, you know, giving them my word, working endlessly to making sure that I stood up to the word that I presented to them and I delivered.

[Podcast Host]

How much of it was software based or just optimizing systems that are still running on Oracle? Like how much of it was that boring numbers game?

[Jadira Ameal]

Let me tell you something. When it came to. As the business evolved competitors, you know, we all evolved. All the software technology came into the aspect before it was kind of like a walk in, you know, back in the day. I always remember the movie where, you know, you're at the DMV office and you're like, hello.

[Podcast Host]

You know, that's exactly what I pictured.

[Jadira Ameal]

Ding, ding, hello. Go back and see, we'll call you again. So the business has evolved so much. So there's a lot of more electronically registration softwares that are out there. With that I was able to customize a portal Designed just for dealerships to be able to, to get that information at just a click of a button so in real time, giving them the taxes, the sales taxes, the DMV fees, all the hidden fees that a lot of other competitors do not have, you know, automated documents, forms, all the information needed at point of sale.

[Podcast Host]

Oh yeah.

[Jadira Ameal]

So that took me to that other level.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jadira Ameal]

You know, and still, still continue to, you know, invest in that portal because the business evolves and you know, you have to stay up there and with, with the competition.

[Podcast Host]

And I was just going to say what you just said was like mouth watering. Because if I, if I was running a dealership and I needed my sales team to be as confident about the product as possible and forget about all this guff and not have to worry about it so they can just stick to sales, the better. Because you've taken all this worry, all this nonsense, all this walking and leaving, creating the theater and waiting for the paper to get checked. So the boom create, no, you've removed all that so the salesperson can just

[Jadira Ameal]

focus on getting that sale and getting that sale done. And the most important part though, I will tell you that a lot of dealerships overlook because it's not just the sale, the transaction and the paperwork.

[Podcast Announcer]

Boom.

[Jadira Ameal]

It's over. It's the processing center. So this is where executive tax comes in place.

[Podcast Host]

Right on.

[Jadira Ameal]

We provide that processing center with knowledgeable and experienced title clerks that have also been in the industry so they're able to speak the language with the clients, our dealers. And we take that load off the dealership so they don't have to worry about it. We are the white glove service, the process testing centers that they are looking for. That's what sets us apart.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And it's all about keeping that voice proper that the energy frequency up. Sell, sell, sell. Ching, ching, ching.

[Jadira Ameal]

We worry about the customer service.

[Podcast Host]

Bingo. And it's. And it's the customer service because the customer needs to be ascended and elevated to fulfill the process.

[Jadira Ameal]

Correct.

[Podcast Host]

Rock and roll. I love it. The irony.

[Jadira Ameal]

The automotive world is so big. It's so big out there, but at the same time it's small.

[Podcast Host]

That's the thing. It's. It's so small, but there's so much money being made and incorrect money that could be smart money and making so much more. And you're the process of that.

[Jadira Ameal]

Correct. And who doesn't buy cars? You're always buying cars.

[Podcast Host]

Electronic or not, who cares? And they all need titles.

[Jadira Ameal]

They all right, at one point you need to register you need to renew, you know, to continue. It's a have to. It's part of either, you know, the tax collectors or your DNB local or wherever, you know, so it's a business that, that keeps on going and going. No matter how hard it gets there, even with tariffs, people are still buying vehicles.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Good for you for attacking this problem because you've got the Elon Musk's of the world attacking the massive problem of soping the shit of what you just said, but at a national level. And even Elon Musk himself, our first trillionaire, can get it done, correct?

[Jadira Ameal]

Even the ambulance. Yes, absolutely. You're right.

[Podcast Host]

So thank you so much for just picking at it and like optimizing our, our very outdated country.

[Jadira Ameal]

We're here to help. I'm here to help and solve everyone. I mean, I love to help. I love to bring that solution to the dealerships. And like I said, that is what sets us apart. And that's why executive tax has been able to grow nationwide. So we are out there, you know, and I love it to know that when the competitors hear executive tag and titles in the CFAs, they're like, oh, oh, boom. It was you, the brand. Yes, it's me, Jadira.

[Podcast Host]

Which is what I just did. Like, wait a minute. Well, right on. I really appreciate this moment and literally putting a face to the cause.

[Jadira Ameal]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

I'm curious to see how your episode turns out. I'm sure you're in for a treat.

[Jadira Ameal]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it.

[Podcast Host]

Thank you again. That concludes another episode of the Living youg Legacy podcast. Have a happy Friday. And that is it.

[Podcast Announcer]

I am Rigu Tiers Sam.