We recently connected with Mariel Mendez and have shared our conversation below.
Mariel, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I work every day to develop myself and develop my confidence in life. In any situation, I think it is important to pay attention to who you are and your philosophy.
It took me a lot of work to have confidence in my work. More than in myself, the difficult thing is believing yourself worthy, believing that your work has value and that your time is even valuable and complements the development of confidence and self-esteem.
From my own experience, I think that at first what worked for me was pretending. Pretend to be someone else, pretend you were invisible, pretend nothing is impossible and live within your own expectations.
One of the strategies that I still apply to this topic is to have Mara as my alter ego, her being daring and bold.
Leaving Mariel more real and not so exposed. My personality being more introverted.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My love for art begins since my childhood. When I started to be an art teacher (before being a Montessori teacher), I loved art and it was something that I wanted to continue having close to me. I never imagined starting a brand, it was something that naturally developed, the entrepreneurship really happened during my teaching years; At the same time that I taught general classes, I also began teaching art classes after school. I had two jobs, full-time as a preschool teacher and part time as art teacher, both at the same time until I decided it was time to stop teaching art classes to focus on a venture of my own. I wanted to focus and dedicate time to something that expressed my own inspiration, that’s when the opportunity arose to launch something new to myself, to showcase my brand, took a loop of faith and did it; That’s how I continued building “MARALOVE” for 6 to 8 years, working as a teacher-entrepreneur and I realized that I needed more time to be and do what I was passionate about, I took the plunge even knowing that it might not be a sure thing and I was very hopeful.
I dedicate myself to making paintings in my style and my inspiration, I also make personalized pieces, interventions in garments (jackets, bags, shoes…), lately I have been in to selling second-hand clothes and accessories, because I think it is a very cool way to raise recycling awareness and reusing clothes by giving them a creative style is something that makes me feel happy and at peace to develop my creativity in the clothes that are sometimes forgotten.
I do have several projects this year, an exhibition in Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Baja California, one in San Diego, CA. In October I have plans to go to Madrid, showcase my latest collection “Sentiment” for exhibition and also to attend a magazine event in which I will receive a recognition for my ten year anniversary as MARALOVE. I am making a collection called “Sentiment”, which is art, organic photography and fashion, the entire MARALOVE philosophy and which I will be presenting throughout this year in my social media.
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?
I believe that having the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically has been my strength.
Emotional intelligence is the key to both personal and professional success”.
To be patient. Over time, the process but mostly with yourself.
Being persistent is crucial. I’ve seen the big difference it makes when you follow up on events or people you want to get along with.
Have friends with much more to contribute than you do to the world. In business and personal experience. I love meeting people older than me. In every sense.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I take a moment alone. Driving aimlessly, listening to music. I walk in parks where there is nature around. I love parking near a sunset or at night where the moon is in sight. I go to the gym to swim. I cry, laugh and vent, usually alone. I think that many times you need solitude to introspect your being.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maraloveshop.com
- Instagram: @mara.love
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050186212849&mibextid=uzlsIk
Image Credits
Model: Ileana Méndez
