Meet Yesenia Guerrero-Flores | Co-Owner of La Madrecita Shop and Mental Health Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yesenia Guerrero-Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yesenia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
This small business endeavor began like many others, during the Covid-19
shut down back in November of 2020. As a family, we decided to ensure
the health and safety of our most important family member, my then 78-
year-old grandmother, Maria de Jesus Garcia. We needed to keep her at
home and as safe as possible. My grandmother is a self-taught seamstress
and utilized her skills in her early years to help provide for her family. Since
we had recently adopted two puppies and were already spending a lot of
time together, I presented her with a small crafting project, handmade dog
bandanas. She took her time sharing her techniques with me and patiently
started to teach me the basics of sewing. Slowly, family and friends started
ordering handmade dog bandanas for their pets and asked for masks.
Eventually, they suggested we market our collaboration on social media. I
opened an Instagram account, @lamadrecitashop, posted our handmade
items and shortly after, we started attending outdoor pop-up
events—always keeping social distancing in mind, of course. The
pandemic was a very difficult time for everyone everywhere. Having to
practice social distancing was strange and at time felt very lonely. La
Madrecita Shop helped out significantly. It helped both my grandma and I
stay mentally and emotionally stimulated. It especially helped us maintain a
positive outlook on the future in a time of uncertainty.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am proud to be a part of the 4% of Latina women who hold a Master’s
Degree. I earned my higher education degrees (AA, Dual Bachelor’s, and
Master’s Degree) at a small all Women’s Catholic University in Southern
California, Mount St. Mary’s University. I hold a Master’s of Science in
Clinical Psychology and previously worked as a Mental Health Therapist in
the greater Los Angeles area, for more than six years. There, I provided
crisis mental health therapy and services to children and families. Currently,
I am a member of the Quality Assurance Team for a pharmaceutical
company in the South Bay area where we manufacture Cell Therapy
medication for Cancer patients. Even though, I am no longer providing
direct services to patients and their families, I am in love with my new role,
and I am very happy to be able to utilize my educational background and
skills to help patients fighting Lymphoma.

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.
I would show them all of what is local to me, and I call home. South LA has
been my home my entire life, and I love everything about my community.
We have local food vendors at every corner. Visiting local and family-owned
restaurants is a must. Within a short drive you are able to have the most
delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine. Therefore tacos, burritos, tortas
and gorditas would be on the itinerary. Two of my favorite family-owned
restaurants and must-haves would include Nostalgia Gorditas in Lakewood
and Mi Zacatecas in Hawthorne.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shout-out to my grandma and my entire family!
First of all, this small business would not have started if it had not been for
my grandmother. She chose to trust and join me on this unknown
adventure. She has patiently dedicated countless hours of her time to teach
me the basics of sewing. She has also been open to trying new ideas,
allowing me the creative space and support needed in order to get La
Madrecita Shop off the ground. Secondly, I’d like to thank my mom, my husband, and all of my immediate family members who have all been super
supportive. They have taken their time to attend vendor events when
possible and tell all of their friends and co-workers about La Madrecita
Shop. I am very fortunate to have such an amazing and supportive family
and group of friends. My grandmother and I have been able to share our
creativity and handmade goods with tons of people and their furry children.

Instagram: @lamadrecitashop