Meet Brissa Sanchez | Nonprofit Professional & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brissa Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For a long time I had been wanting to start a business of my own, but I was unsure of what it would look like.

After spending time at the East LA Farmers Market, a market in my community of East LA, I noticed that there were no tortillas being sold in a community market with a predominantly Mexican population. Tortillas, a staple in Mexican cuisine, were absent from a space meant to celebrate local culture and flavors. So, I decided to focus on tortillas and chips as my products, not just to fill a gap but to create a bridge between local tortillerías and the community.

I wanted to bring authentic, locally made tortillas and celebrate my Mexican heritage.

What should our readers know about your business?
Como Masa is a farmers market pop-up— celebrating authentic, high-quality corn products that bring people together. Since launching in May 2024, Como Masa has been serving the community with freshly made tortillas and tortilla chips.

At Como Masa, the motto is simple: quality over quantity, always. It’s a philosophy rooted in the belief that every product should add value to someone’s experience. Whether it’s the crunch of a perfectly made chip or the softness of a fresh tortilla, my goal is to give customers nothing but the best.

At Como Masa, I’m proud to share not just products, but a piece of my passion for quality and community. Stop by the next farmers market to taste the difference!

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I’m fortunate to say I used to manage the East LA Farmers Market, an experience that shaped my entrepreneurial journey. During my time there, I gained valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes world of vendors, from navigating permits to understanding the dedication required to succeed. It remains my favorite job to date, not just because of the skills I gained, but because of the incredible vendors and hardworking individuals who inspired me every day.

It gave me the courage to take a leap of faith and offer something of my own—something I hoped would add value to the community that had already given me so much.

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My community, my customers, are the most important contributors to my success. Without their support, none of this would be possible. I love chatting with them, learning about their lives, and building connections that go beyond a simple transaction.

So here’s a shoutout to my amazing customers—you are the reason I can keep going. Thank you for believing in me and for making this journey so rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I love this question! Just a few places –

Eat//
Wednesday @ 3600 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90023
Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla
Tacos, tacos, tacos – with a twist of flavor from Puebla, Mexico.

Sunday Morning @ In The Making Boutique
East Los Angeles, CA
One-of-a-kind cookies by @casagalletas

Sunday Lunch @ Stone Brewery Tap Room
Pasadena, CA
Indulge in a curated menu by chispi_modernista_cocina

Drink//
Monday @ Mobar Coffee
Great coffee located within the Shops of Montebello

Sunday Mornings @ In The Making Boutique
East Los Angeles, CA
Good vibes, good coffee, cool people with @wallflower_cafe_

Visit//
Thursday Afternoons @ 323 Farmers Market
Saturday mornings @ East LA Farmers Market
You can learn from Chef Patrick @kitchenclassuniversal how to use locally grown food and make easy, delicious recipes from his curated food demos

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a proud Los Angeles native, I grew up in unincorporated East LA, Boyle Heights, and Montebello. My childhood was shaped by my dad’s salon in Boyle Heights—a place that became my second home and a window into the world of entrepreneurship. Watching him manage the day-to-day operations, I was exposed to the behind-the-scenes work of running a business. But more than that, I saw how he connected with people, building relationships that extended far beyond the salon chair.

That ability to connect left a lasting impression on me, and so did the stacks of magazines that arrived at the salon every month. I read everything from Sunset Magazine to Brand X, a small newspaper that no longer exists. Those publications opened my eyes to the world around me and deepened my understanding of my community. Through their pages, I discovered stories about culture, food, art, music and the lives of people in neighborhoods like my own.

Today, I carry that same curiosity and appreciation for storytelling, thanks to those early influences. So here’s a shoutout to my dad, small businesses, and the writers, editors, and everyone in publishing who work tirelessly to share stories about our culture, communities, and traditions. You inspire me, and your work continues to ignite my passion for connection and creativity.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/como.masaa/