“Be the light in someone’s darkness” is a calling many of us have heard. It’s one that Lourdes alumna Luly B. Carreras, class of 1996–who goes by Luly B.—has taken to heart, and answers daily, both literally and figuratively. She has sparked a career as a business and life strategist. She empowers women to show up in life by sharing their own light and being the best versions of themselves with others. She proudly calls the group of women she serves “Boosties,” because they collectively build each other up.
“BOOST is a fierce and fabulous sisterhood of powerhouse women who are done playing small and are ready to step into their brilliance. We are entrepreneurs, leaders, and go-getters who lift each other up, celebrate every win (big or small!), and push past fear to create businesses and lives we love. It’s a community that thrives on connection, collaboration, and confidence— because when one of us rises, we ALL rise,” said Luly B.
Her enthusiasm is contagious and her energy has been called a “magnet of awesomeness.” She often jokes that she began her career at the age of three, because she has always been the kind of person who cheers others on, sees the good in everyone, and champions causes bigger than herself. However, it is a phrase that was first coined by those closest to her, and it has since become a recurring message. She credits it to her ability to be authentically and unapologetically who she is, which enables her to easily build rapport and make meaningful connections.
“I think it started with the people closest to me who saw my ability to bring people together, light up a room, and create opportunities for magic to happen. It shows up every single day in the incredible women I attract into my life—whether it’s through BOOST, speaking engagements, or just the random connections that turn into lifelong friendships. When you lead with authenticity and enthusiasm, the right people can’t help but be drawn to you!” Luly B said.
From drawing inspiration to driving aspirations, Luly B. empowers women to step into greatness by sharing her own personal journey and cheerleading them through theirs. She falls in love with the potential she sees in others and leverages every opportunity to help them connect the dots on the life they want for themselves. And while it may seem a bit “magical,” it has not been a journey without its challenges. It was through her own challenges that Luly B. ignited a fire within.
“In 2011, I had my own transformative experience in a community of powerhouse women who lifted me up, called me out, and pushed me to dream bigger. That year, I made some of the boldest moves in my life and career—all because I was surrounded by women who saw my potential and would not allow me to play small.”
Luly B. reminds women that failure is part of the journey and often does so as she had clearly envisioned—sitting around her dining table in a comfortable and safe environment where everyone feels free to speak, cry, laugh, and celebrate without judgment or shame. She also speaks from the main stage and in classrooms both at the University of Miami, where she serves as an adjunct professor, and here at Lourdes, she spoke in the Women in Business Lecture Series for the Honors Leadership class.
Students of the Honors Leadership class witnessed Luly B.’s energy and passion firsthand during her presentation. “Her message inspired me, because it’s easy to forget that failure is a part of life and it’s what helps us grow. I use this piece of advice as a reminder that we don’t always have to be perfect and sometimes we need to fail to gain perspective,” sophomore Brianna Oramas said.
Luly B. connects her day-to-day work with the sisterhood she found at Lourdes.
“Once a Lourdes girl, always a Lourdes girl. The foundation of faith, sisterhood, and service that was instilled in me at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is exactly what drives BOOST today,” said Luly B. “The idea that we are stronger together, that we can be both successful and kind, and that leadership comes from the heart—these are all values I learned at Lourdes and carry into every aspect of my work with BOOST.”
She humbly acknowledges an intangible vibration that churns through the BOOST community, and it is a spirit that has sparked many opportunities, initiatives, and celebrations. Luly B. has so much more in store for her BOOST community and so many others who are drawn to her light.
Her IGNITE sessions are positioned as her clients’ “YOURday” and are designed as a one-on-one with the seasoned strategist and empowerment expert to craft solutions that meet their unique needs, whether it is crafting a signature talk, conducting a personal business audit, or mapping out their business goals.
SPARK is an annual gathering of dynamic women, connection, and conversation. Last year’s event, themed “Go For It,” invited the more than 300 women in attendance to accept their gifts, live with confidence, and step into greatness.
In this milestone year, she has added two more initiatives. The first is the B the SPARK candle, a collaboration with Soy Delicious, which unites two Lourdes girls together centered around the power of light. The candle is gardenia- and pear-scented—fragrances that hold significant meaning: the pear for the shape of her body that she has come to accept with time and the ability for pear trees to thrive best when they grow together, and the gardenia for the memories it brings of her grandparents and the summer days she spent picking flowers. Then, this September marks the launch of her inaugural girls’ trip to Arizona, a Sedona SOULcation “dedicated to getting away with awesome people.”
Time has been another gift. Ten years in the making, Luly B. has achieved success and empowered those around her to do the same without having to sacrifice who they are, who they want to be, and how they want to live a joyous and fulfilled life.
Luly B.’s advice to Lourdes girls:
“Be unapologetically YOU. The world doesn’t need more people who fit in—it needs leaders who stand out, who own their unique gifts, and who are willing to take bold action. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t let fear keep you small. And never forget that confidence isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting that you’ll figure it out along the way.”
