Meet Esmeralda Peralta-Aroz | Co-Founder & President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Esmeralda Peralta-Aroz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Esmeralda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting Mamacitas wasn’t a business decision at first—it was a heart decision. I was craving genuine connection, the kind that goes beyond surface-level small talk and into the messy, magical parts of motherhood, womanhood, and friendship. I looked around and realized that while so many of us moms were juggling careers, kids, and personal growth, we were often doing it in isolation.

I thought, what if we created a space where women could come as they are—messy buns, full hearts, and all—and feel seen, supported, and celebrated? A space that blends fun with intention, where social events meet soul work. That’s where Mamacitas was born.

My thought process was less about building a brand and more about building a community. I knew if I needed this space, others did too. Over time, it evolved into something even bigger: a movement rooted in sisterhood, self-love, and showing up for one another.

And honestly? I built the business I wish existed for me.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets Mamacitas apart is that it was never just about hosting events—it was about healing, belonging, and creating a space I desperately needed myself. I started this community at a time when I was navigating a deeply personal chapter in my health journey; the need for connection met the courage to be seen, in a vulnerable state.

I’m most proud of what we’ve built, something rooted in realness. Our events, our conversations, our sisterhood—they’re not performative, they’re intentional. This isn’t just a space to socialize; it’s a space to soften, to be witnessed, to be held, and to grow. Getting here wasn’t easy. I had no blueprint—just a feeling in my gut and a vision in my heart. Every challenge gave me a deeper understanding of what community really meant. I didn’t have to do it all alone—and that’s the lesson I carry with me: we are better when we build together.

And that’s what I want the world to know about Mamacitas. This isn’t a one-woman show. It’s a co-created movement made possible by passionate, powerful women, especially our Mompreneurs, who show up, pour in, and believe in something bigger than themselves.

Mamacitas is more than a name. It’s a state of mind. It’s a feeling. It’s a mirror, a reminder, and a celebration of what happens when women hold space for one another. My story may have started it, but our collaborative stories are what make us strong. I want the world to know that we are proof that something beautiful happens when women come together with intention. We’re not here to compete or compare. We are here to co-create. Whether it’s a retreat, a brunch, or a hike, everything we do is designed to pour back into the women who are constantly pouring into others.
This isn’t my story, it’s ours. And we’re just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question, supporting local is my jam! This is a weekend itinerary I’ve used with my friends – If you know me, our first spot has to be Colados Coffee & Crepes, I recommend the savory crepes for breakfast, paired with a strawberry matcha. We will then head on over to the Wildlife Zoo for a morning stroll. For lunch we’d make it over to Papa Paul’s Brick oven pizza, where we’d have the bruschetta trio, any of the salads-they are all fantastic, and my favorite the Ebbet’s Field pizza with mozzarella, spicy capicola, and red pepper flakes. To cap the night we can go to Valley Craft and try their array of local brews and enjoy one of their nightly events and activities.

The next morning we’d wake up early and grab breakfast at Park Cafe in Litchfield. From there we’d make a quick stop at Abbie Cakes to pick up picnic treats and desserts, including their delicious Monte Cristo. From there we’d drive up to Payson and hike down to the Natural Bridge. After cooling off in the cave and working up an appetite, we’d sit in a grassy area and set up our little picnic. For dinner if we would head back down to town and enjoy the live music at The Wigwam Resort, with a nice meal in the patio.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely! As you may have noticed from my title, I call myself a co-founder—because if there was just one of us, this would be Mamacita social club, and let’s be honest… that’s not nearly as fun. Mamacitas is 100% community-built. It exists because of the incredible collaboration between our powerhouse Mompreneurs and the local business owners I have the honor of partnering with for every event we create.

This is a shared vision, made possible by women who are not only running their own businesses but also managing the beautiful chaos of family life—and still, they choose to pour into this community. That kind of support and belief in what we’re building? It’s everything. So this is a heartfelt shoutout to them. I’m endlessly grateful for each one of them and the magic we create together.

I do want to give a special shout out to my colleagues and dear friends at The Feminine Ethos, for taking Mamacitas under their wing. They took ‘the’ vision and ran with it, creating our beautiful website and have continuously collaborated in many if our events as our partners, supporting and uplifting our community.

Website: https://mamacitaslife.com

Instagram: @mama.citas_az

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeralda-aroz-2428a2237/

Other: calendar of events in our network: https://mamacitas-network.mn.co/share/hsrdgJk2D2Dym_bB?utm_source=manual

Image Credits
Vsuzanne Photography LLC and Urban Soul Photography