Meet MARA

We recently connected with MARA and have shared our conversation below.

MARA, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

I grew up in an environment where helping others was extremely important. My mother always had a tremendous work load as the sole provider in our household. She would come home exhausted & still make sure her motherly duties were fulfilled. My mother was the friend you could count on in emergency situations & she instilled in me at a young age in helping others whenever I could. Despite us experiencing adversity she always found a way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

In December 2022, After losing my brother, I found solace in bonding with my nieces and creating things that brought joy to our lives. Even if it was something as silly as recreating tik-tok inspired snacks .

We collectively became obsessed! I started scrolling through 100s of reels & tiktoks for the perfect chamoy inspired munchies . Every tasty recreation executed was a hit . At first I didn’t really think my snacks were special; Until one day my niece asked me when I was going to start selling munchies & really start taking things seriously .

The confidence she had in me was something I just couldn’t turn a blind eye to.

In July 2023 I told myself I was really going to start a business. I found my self doing research.regarding the proper procedure to become a legit business .
I created a checklist & started knocking out my goals 1 by 1 .

How to start a Business:
-Apply for Business license & EIN
-Obtain cottage food license
-File zoning permit
-Purchase Food handlers
-File for fictitious business name
-Submit an add In the news paper

I was determined, car-less, & I wasn’t going to let anything stop me. I told myself I would find a way.
I ended up selling tamales , I worked grave yard shifts as a stage hand , & hustled to pay for my permits & Licences.

September 2023 I was given my first vending opportunity. Aztlan Car Club invited me to be a vendor at their Annual Picnic.
I ended up selling out that day , The love and support I felt from the Lowrider community and Raza was strong I knew that day my life would forever be Different & it truly was.

By December 2023 I had comp[eted 8 vending events.

My next goal I wanted to cross off my list was submitting my tamales in Xavier the X- Mans 23rd Best Homemade tamale competition on Magic 92.5 . In previous years I had submitted my tamales and didn’t place . This year I felt would be different , Out of 12 participants & great deliberation I ended up willing 1st place for Best Tamales in San Diego .

It is now April 2025 , I have completed a total of 44 Events, made over 10,000 Tamales, and sold about 10,000 lbs of chamoy munchies .

My only hope is to inspire others to go for their dream, despite adversity. I’ve turned a devastating loss into powerful motivation to create something beautiful and meaningful, not just for myself, but for my family and community.
I want to show the world my passion and create a safe place of healing and connection, while sharing munchies .

The power of resilience, hustle, and love in my story is what keeps me going everyday , Each time I create something or serve someone, it’s a true extension of love and care. Its always been more than food , its living with purpose.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back at my journey, I would say the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most crucial in my success are:

1. Resilience & Determination
2. Resourcefulness & Hustle
3. Community Engagement & Relationship Building

Developing resilience comes from building a mindset that views challenges as opportunities to grow, not as roadblocks. One way to cultivate this is by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating the wins, no matter how minor they seem. Keep track of your progress and remind yourself of why you started. Remember, setbacks are part of the journey—don’t be afraid to fail, as each failure teaches you something valuable. Embrace the mindset of “doing what it takes.” Hustling doesn’t just mean working hard; it means finding solutions to problems creatively, being adaptable, and looking for opportunities even when they seem scarce. A big part of being resourceful is being willing to learn new things, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. Seek advice from others who have walked the path before you and take action without waiting for everything to be perfect.
Focus on building authentic relationships with the people around you—whether it’s your customers, vendors, or local communities. People love to support businesses they feel personally connected to. Be genuine, show up consistently, and listen to your customers’ feedback. Building a strong network can open doors, and word-of-mouth can be one of your most powerful marketing tools. Get involved in your community, whether through events, social media, or simply by being present and engaging with those around you.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m looking to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about food, creativity, and community. If you’re an event organizer, influencer, fellow food entrepreneur, or just someone who shares a love for making people happy through delicious food, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you want to collaborate on a special project, showcase my munchies, or brainstorm new ideas, let’s create something awesome together.

Follow on Social Media
Instagram: maras_munchiessd

Email:
Marasmunchiessd@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marasmunchies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maras_munchiessd/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits

Torres_visualz