Meet the Mompreneur in San Tan Valley Whose Pandemic Baking Turned into a Major Side Hustle

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  • Name: Mariela Marmolejos  
  • Age: 35
  • Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
  • Children: Jayden, 16 & Jordan, 12

You founded a business! Tell us about your company

I have always loved baking and my goal became to come out of lockdown with the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. I was constantly baking cookies for my family, mixing and matching recipes, and adding my own magic. I wasn’t planning on selling it, but you know how that goes!

I decided to bake for my coaches and chiropractor who had helped me with a few strongwoman competition goals as a thank you. The response was overwhelming and they inspired me to launch Cinful Cookie Co. in April 2021.

The timing of this couldn’t have been more perfect, as in March of 2020 I was moved into a new role at work that had very little demand and the pandemic caused an even bigger shift in my workload, so I had a lot of time on my hands

Why did you want to start your own business?

I didn’t. I have never in my life said “I want to own a business”. This opportunity found me and I am absolutely grateful it did! The most unexpected things can be the biggest blessings.

Tell us a little bit about your family!

We relocated from Northern New Jersey in 2010. We were in need of a change so we came out west. This was probably the best decision I have ever made in my life. These past 11 years have seen a lot of change in all aspects of our life and we are just enjoying the ride together.

What was your motivation to pivot your career to being an mompreneur?

My motivation is typically my kids in everything, but in this one instance it was to do something that was just for me. My kids are older and as time passed I realized more and more that I needed to start figuring out who I was as an individual. I still work full time and hopefully in a few years I will be able to jump into full time entrepreneurship.

How do you make time for self-care in between all that you have going on? What do you do to unwind after a long day or week?

I make it a priority and it also helps that my kids aren’t little. I am a mom, wife, full time employee, mompreneur, and strongwoman athlete.

I’ve learned that I don’t have to be perfect everyday. I’ve learned to schedule my week so I know what to expect. It helps with the feeling overwhelmed. Honestly, baking and training are two ways I unwind.

Exercise helps my happy hormones and can turn my mood around instantly. While I bake I tend to either blast music and dance or put on I Love Lucy or Golden Girl reruns. These things allow me to escape my brain and unending anxiety for a few hours. Yes, having a full plate can be tough, but when some of those pieces help you relax it isn’t so bad.

What lessons have you learned in your career that you apply to parenting?

Transparency and accountability are essential good business practices. I am very open and honest with my kids about everything.

What do you teach your children about success and failure?

It’s okay to fail, but it’s not okay to quit. Celebrate every success no matter how small. Always be your own hype woman.

How has motherhood impacted you personally and professionally?

Because I had my children younger motherhood changed me completely. I would not be who I am today if it wasn’t for becoming a mom. It pushed me to work harder in life to ensure they were taken care of.

Is there a promo code or discount code you can offer readers?

Use promo code EVMB10 at Cinfulcookieco.com for 10% off the entire order. Expires 10/31/21.

 

For some fun chit-chat, now!

  • Coffee order? Iced quad blonde espresso in a venti cup. I then pour a premier protein or fairlife protein shake into it.
  • Favorite restaurant in the East Valley? OHSO
  • Greatest challenge in your career thus far? Learning to push back and say no when something exceeds my capacity.
  • Most embarrassing mom moment? Receiving a call from the front office at my younger son’s school because his lunch account was in the negative. I packed the kid lunch daily, but he decided to buy lunch and not tell anyone. He thought it was free.
  • Best mom advice you’ve been given? You might not agree with their decisions, but you have to let them make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons.
  • Last Netflix show you binged? Clickbait

 

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