When a person starts a small business, they do so with the belief that their unique product or service will leave competitors in the rearview mirror. A business plan is a great start, as well as setting financial goals towards financial solvency. But this takes a lot of time, a lot of learning and making a lot of mistakes. Anyone that says differently is lying to you.

But that’s not the real problem. The real problems start when you realize that being an independent business owner requires that you learn a whole new language and culture. Registering a business, and maintaining it, is archaic on the best day and purposely difficult on the worst. Capitalism lives in Bureaucracy and it’s not moving out any time soon.

Owning a business isn’t something a person was born knowing how to do. It is a very humbling experience having to admit that you have no clue what to do next and need to discuss your options. It’s discouraging going at it alone and many quit at right around now. But we’re not going to quit.

We’re going to keep going and you’re going to need a guide. And if you’re still reading this, then you need me.

Marianela Mendoza is, most simply put, a force of nature.
She is a deeply authentic and caring person, and at the same time, a truth telling, anti-bullshit voice in the spirit of guiding you toward doing what you need to do – delivering her insights with love and laughter.

Adam A. Wier
Senior Lead Designer
Oakland, CA

I BECAME THE CONSULTANT I NEEDED

I realized that if I was having a hard time moving my business forward, and I considered myself knowledgeable, so were a lot of other people.

I celebrate my client’s uniqueness, support them through hard transitions and make sure their message is clear, consistent and true to their vision. I get to the point, won’t waste your time and do it with a sense of humor to get through the hard parts.

I never ask them to downplay their personalities to “fit in”. Because the one thing that Business As Usual folks will tell you is that we need to follow the mainstream to be viable. More lies.

By working with clients where they are in their process, I ensure that they have a clear understanding of the concerns they face and how it will affect their work. Watching my client’s confidence grow is a thrill that never gets old. I’ve learned so much from my clients, as well. They’re the reason I became the consultant I needed when I started my business.

Send a me message if you’d like to have an introductory meeting or have a project you’d like to discuss.