Meet Raquel Mentor | Social Media Manager and Content Creator

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

Hi Raquel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Small business, the hustle of starting something out of nothing, is a family matter. Growing up, every Sunday my dad would go sell electronics at the Paramount Swapmeet. I’d help him set up his space, neatly arranging remote controls, cassette tapes, and other accessories. When he wasn’t at the swapmeet, he’d set up his space at home during yardsales. On those days I’d be my mom’s personal assistant as she sold pupusas from our kitchen. I’d take client orders, doing quick math for pupusas revueltas, queso, and frijoles. Eventually my mom encouraged me to sell snacks at school. Every day I’d bring a bag packed with Hot Cheetos, Snickers, Skittles, raising money for my upcoming college tuitions and fees.

While I went to school for elementary education, the idea of echandole ganas, finding a side hustle and sticking to it never left me. That became particularly true as I discovered I had a passion for social media management and content creation.

During COVID I decided to take a chance on myself and try going full time with marketing. While I loved teaching – my students, the ability to create engaging lessons and reach out to struggling learners – the environment became increasingly straining on my mental and physical health. I wanted to keep helping people as it has always been at the heart of what I do. Seeing how my parents worked so hard with their ventures, I knew that small businesses could benefit from having someone create an online community. And so Mentor Marketing Inc. was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Mentor Marketing Inc. primarily works with small businesses. My business is all about going into brick and mortar locations, talking with the owners, and creating content that best represents them. It’s relationship building, it’s talking about life, it’s finding a sense community together.

Getting my business started was not easy, but I always aimed to let me work be my resume. I started out by emailing and direct messaging as many businesses as I could. Satisfied customers started recommending me to other businesses, and eventually I filled my roster.

Being a small business servicing small businesses will always have uncertainty as far as job security, but it is still incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned to worry a little less and instead try and plan as circumstances change. My hope for Mentor Marketing is that people continue to see it as a business that does quality work with quality businesses.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently live in New Mexico, but as a Los Angeles native, I am always excited to return to a couple of spots.

My first go-tos are always Cafe Canela in Plaza Mexico, Lynwood and Tierra Mia. Cafe Canela has the best molletes and tamales de Elote. Tierra Mia makes an incredible Cafe Cubano and Mocha Mexicano.

And, Torrance, Ca is my next visiting spot. Mitsuwa Market keeps a fresh stock of onigiri. I also love the Japanese Bookstore in the same building.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I think of success, it is closely tied to my family.

When I started my own little snack business growing up, my dad helped me set up a savings account so that I could start making interest.

When I was headed off to college, my mom sold pupusas in order to raise enough money for my bus ticket.

When I began considering a career change, my husband encouraged me, sitting down with me to plan the transition from teaching to business startup.

Website: https://Www.mentormarketing.org

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/raqueljmentor

Linkedin: Raquel Mentor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmentormarketing?mibextid=LQQJ4d