Maria Gabriela Rocha

I would say that there's not a dream that's too big. Sometimes you look at something you want to do and it can be overwhelming, because you're like, how am I gonna actually achieve this? And there's a lot of people who might try to discourage you. I would say not listen to them, because that's their own fears talking. It's normal to feel imposter syndrome when you're working on something bigger than yourself - you might think, oh, am I even...what am I doing? Do I even know what I'm doing? Am I good enough for this? And that's just doubt creeping in, and that's normal, and it's okay to feel that way. Sometimes when people tell you you can't do something, or that it might not be a good idea, it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't think you're capable, but they're scared for you because they know that it's a financial investment or it can be mentally taxing. They might be trying to protect you, but I think that if God places a dream in your heart, that you should follow it, no matter what.

I would say the biggest challenge, and it's also been a fun challenge, is connecting with the right opportunities so I can get my product to people, really having to figure out, okay, I have this great product, but how am I gonna get it to people? Like, how do I channel that? What are the events I should go to? How to market this? Because I know I have something good, so it's just really about getting it in the hands of people. We've been really creative with it, just thinking outside of the box. For example, just connecting with people that we usually would normally not connect with, really getting outside of our comfort zone. And trying all sorts of different events, because there's not really a failure, even if it doesn't exactly turn out how you want. As long as you're trying, you learn something valuable from it.

I think sometimes I know that before I got into this, with sales, I had a certain impression of how sales work - a negative impression, to be completely honest. And I ethically don't want to be a pushy person. I don't want to sell something that I, one, don't believe in. And two, I want everyone to really enjoy what they have, and so that's why I always tell my customers, if you buy it and you don't like it, we'll trade it, I'll give you your money back. That's because I believe in the product so much that that hasn't even happened once. Faith is also a huge thing to me. If God places a dream in your heart, you should follow it, no matter what. I've definitely have felt a call towards donation and philanthropy, and I've been growing in my faith as well, reading the Bible more, going to church, and looking at opportunities for donation and philanthropy there.