Influential Woman · Helaman Tours
Gema Petlacalco
Marketing and operations specialist, Helaman Tours
Grants Pass, OR
Her Story
About Gema
Gema Petlacalco serves as the remote marketing and operations specialist for Helaman Tours, a company offering Christian and LDS-focused tours in the Cancun, Mexico area. With nine years of experience at the company, she manages all aspects of bookings, reservations, payments, invoices, Google AdWords, SEO, social media, and website development. She earned an Associate's degree in accounting from LDS Business College, now known as Ensign College, in 2016, and recently completed a Bachelor's degree in marketing from Western Governors University. Gema has driven significant innovations for the company, including building a new website through self-taught methods like YouTube tutorials and implementing modern payment options such as PayPal, Venmo, and credit cards to facilitate remote operations from her home in Grants Pass, Oregon. She values integrity, innovation, and adaptability in her work and personal life, and she is a member of the Social Media Club based in Kansas City, which operates primarily online. Her success stems from her determination to learn independently and overcome challenges without letting fear hold her back.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gema
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to myself and my drive to learn on my own. I created a new website by watching YouTube videos and introduced many innovations like payment options and platforms because I wanted to make it work remotely and improve the company. I don't let fear stop me from trying new things.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from a professor during my accounting degree: don't let the fear that someone else might be better at a task stop you. Always remember you have your own value and knowledge, and keep learning and teaching yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go for it, even as a mom. There will always be people with more knowledge or experience, but that doesn't mean you can't get there. Don't put walls up for yourself out of fear. Keep applying, reach out to companies personally, and get out of your comfort zone to reach your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is competition from other companies offering similar Christian/LDS tours in Cancun, often at lower prices. We differentiate with private tours for families, which command higher prices, attracting customers who want exclusivity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is key - be honest about what you know and don't know. Innovation, because technology changes constantly and we must adapt. Adaptability is essential as humans. Also, accept feedback and critiques positively to grow rather than getting upset.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.