When I first came up with the idea for the Amigas series, I thought about the many Latina women who, like Alicia, Jamie, and Carmen, had started out as entrepreneurial teenagers. Who, through hard work, imagination, and dedication, were able to take their passions and talents and become role models and successful adults. For me, Jennifer Lopez is such a woman. She has incredible drive and an amazing work ethic, qualities she shares with the girls in Amigas. They, too, needed an equal amount of determination to turn their quince-party-planning business into a huge success.

So, to get a better sense of this connection, I sat down with Jennifer, and we talked about quinces and what it was like for her as a Latina girl growing up in New York City. Here are some more of her answers…

—J. Startz

1.The Amigas are fortunate enough to have formed their own business, which provides them with summer and holiday employment. When you were a teenager, did you have any summer or part-time jobs? If so, what were they like? Were any of them memorable—because they were either (a) so great or (b) so bad?

My first summer job was sweeping up hair at a beauty salon. I was about twelve or thirteen years old. I really looked forward to going to work every day. Not because the job was so glamorous, but just because I always loved work. I loved getting my little ten dollars at the end of the week.

2. As a teenager, did you and your family or friends ever take car trips or vacations together? If so, what was the farthest you traveled away from home, and what kind of a trip was it?

Our first car trip was a vacation to Florida, to go to Disney World. We drove all the way from New York, which took two days! It felt like it took forever to get there. We drove in a station wagon, so my sisters and I would go lie down all the way in the back of the car sometimes. My mom loved listening to the radio, so we would sing a lot of songs and play games while we were on the road.

3. How did you get your start as a performer? Were you discovered, or, like Gaz, did you work on demos and try to shop them around to the industry? Did you have to deal with a lot of rejection? And, if so, what motivated you to keep at it?

I was like Gaz—I worked hard and tried to dance and perform wherever I could! I knew from the beginning I didn’t want to do only one thing—I wanted to sing and dance and act. So I worked on it all the time. I took classes and took small dance gigs in clubs or [for] music videos, until bigger jobs came along. This business is definitely one where you have to deal with rejection—even after you become successful. If you can keep going from there, that’s what can separate you from someone who might not make it.

4. Saniyah, the Austin musician Gaz meets at South by Southwest, advises him that it is very crucial as a young artist to network with other people in the music industry. Do you see this as part of your job? Do you think this is an important skill for any professional to develop?

Yes, I think it’s important to network, no matter what your profession is. When people know the person you are—that you are a good person—and they also know the talents that you have, that can give you an advantage.

5. Valeria’s family are very proud of their Mexican heritage, and they all have a real love of authentic Tex-Mex foods. Your background is Puerto Rican. What are the traditional dishes from Puerto Rico that are your favorites? Does your family have any favorites?

I love all Puerto Rican food! I love pernil, arroz con gandules, platanos maduros. My mom is the best cook—she makes a yummy pastelón, which is one of my favorites. But if she just makes white rice, red beans, and chicken cutlets, I’m still the happiest girl in the world.

6. Gaz is torn between following his musical passion and helping with Amigas Inc. Were you like that or more like Alicia, who seems to know exactly what she wants?

I think I was more like Alicia. I always knew this was what I wanted to do. When I was about seventeen or eighteen, I had a dream one night that I was supposed to be an entertainer; I was supposed to be in this business. So, when I got old enough to choose between going to college and going out on my own to start working on my career, I chose working on my career.

7. Valeria’s a unique character with an array of interests and hobbies. What about you?

The hobbies that I had were mostly sports: running track, softball, tennis. I loved to do things that were athletic. I still do!

8. By the end of the trip, both Alicia and Gaz feel really comfortable in Texas but at the same time excited to be going home. Have you ever found a place like that?

I felt that way in Miami. From the first time I went there, I felt like I was home. I think it was maybe because I didn’t get to go to Puerto Rico much as a child…but Miami felt like it was part of me. It was partly because of its Latin culture, partly the tropical air; the sand and beaches. It wasn’t until I went to Puerto Rico later on my own that I realized how similar they were—and that’s why I felt connected to it. It was something innate in me; from my parents, from my heritage and upbringing. So I always felt like I belonged there, when I was in Miami. But, coming home is always the best, of course!