We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariana McWilliams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariana below.
Hi Mariana , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by starting my business at 12 years old and stepping outside of my comfort zone. At first, I was nervous to talk to customers, but every event, every sale, and every conversation made me a little braver. Writing my first children’s book, Mari’s Big Idea, showed me the power of sharing my story and believing in my voice. I learned that mistakes are just lessons, and each challenge is an opportunity to grow. My family’s encouragement, the support of my community, and the joy of inspiring other young entrepreneurs have helped me believe in myself—and that belief keeps getting stronger every day.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At Mari’s Gold LLC, I bring the chill to birthday parties, community events, church gatherings, private celebrations, sports games, festivals, and more. We serve over 20 snow cone flavors, buttery popcorn, custom menus tailored to your event, and good vibes—but what excites me most is helping other kids start their own businesses. I’m hosting a youth market on October 25, 2025, at 1963 N Cooper Road, Gilbert, AZ 85233, where young entrepreneurs can showcase their products, meet customers, and gain real experience. We even have a kid DJ who can keep the crowd dancing and the energy high.
I’m also the author of two books, Mari’s Big Idea and Mari in the Safari, and I love reading to kids during story time. You can find my books at Target, Walmart, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. Mari’s Gold isn’t just about sweet flavors—it’s about spreading confidence, creativity, and leadership in every scoop and every story. My goal is to prove that you can start making a difference right now, no matter how old you are.
We’re currently launching a program designed to help other kids like me start a business or publish a book, so they can turn their dreams into reality.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, leadership, and creativity. Resilience taught me to keep going even when things didn’t go as planned. Leadership has helped me become a successful business owner, lead by encouragement, and make confident decisions. Creativity has allowed me to come up with fun ideas—like custom snow cone menus, writing stories, and adapting to any situation with a fresh perspective
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents didn’t just tell me what to do—they mentored me, believed in me, and gave me the tools to truly run my own business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopmarisgold.com
- Instagram: marisgold_snowcones
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ED68SSRCd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianamcwilliams8
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmF2fRW6mCEtIebeerTQnfw
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
