We had the good fortune of connecting with Errin Mendibles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Errin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Bella Vita Tucson was driven by a critical need in our community. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), approximately 30 million Americans struggle with eating disorders, which have the highest mortality rate among mental illnesses. Every 62 minutes, someone dies from an eating disorder. Despite these alarming statistics, free resources for those seeking recovery are scarce, especially for minors. In Tucson, there are no inpatient or outpatient options for adolescents, and only two facilities in Phoenix cater to this demographic. This glaring gap in support prompted the creation of Bella Vita Tucson. We offer a no-cost therapeutic processing group for adolescents and their families, aiming to fill this crucial void in our community’s mental health services.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey in our community has been one of diverse experiences and a deep commitment to making a difference. Starting as a middle and high school teacher, I found joy in educating young minds. However, a move forced me to pivot, leading to the founding of the first photo booth company in Arizona in 2011. This venture not only honed my business skills but also sparked my marketing career, particularly in navigating the emerging landscape of social media for businesses.

My entrepreneurial spirit and knack for marketing were further recognized when I was highlighted as one of the top five entrepreneurs in Tucson. Despite my success, another move, this time to San Diego, prompted me to sell my companies and explore new horizons. Landing at an events company, Beyond Events, I continued to thrive, forming strong bonds with my colleagues.

Returning to Tucson in 2020, I faced a new challenge as the events industry took a hit. Adapting once again, I transitioned into a role as the communications director for a WWII museum, where I further honed my marketing and PR skills.

In November 2023, my life took a significant turn when my daughter was diagnosed with an eating disorder. Drawing on my experience with nonprofits, I realized the need to start one to help families facing similar challenges. This led to the creation of Bella Vita Tucson, a nonprofit aimed at providing support for families dealing with eating disorders. Through Bella Vita Tucson, I hope to change the conversation around eating disorders and provide a lifeline for those in need in our community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start the day by watching the sunrise and a beautiful hike in the Saguaro National Monument, then grab breakfast at Seis at the Mercado location then, head down to the 390th Memorial Museum and Pima Air and Space Museum, then head out to have lunch at Boca and walk the shops on 4th Ave. We could have fun acting like a kid again at the Children’s Museum Tucson, grab a refreshing drink at the Proper Shops, glance at some of Tucson’s murals by Ignacio Garcia, and end the evening with dinner at The Leo Kent.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The most recent book I’ve read was Marya Hornbacher’s memoir, Wasted. Her account of what she had to go through to find the courage to dive deep into her recovery from an eating disorder was exhausting and yet inspiring and it was all on her terms.

Ultimately, though, my daughter is the reason why this all has come to fruition. Bella has struggled with her eating disorder since the age of 14. She has gone from death’s door to fighting back and making the club volleyball team. Something she focused on to get her through the many scary nights at an inpatient facility in Denver, AZ. Today, Bella is better than she was but she is not better. Her eating disorder voice is in her head and it is loud. She uses coping skills to overcome the many thoughts that come day and night.

I am so proud of my daughter and enamored with thoughts of hope that she will kill her ED voice, in her own way and on her own timeline just as Marya Hornbacher was able to, after many years.

Website: bvtucson.org

Instagram: bellavitatucson

Linkedin: Bella Vita Tucson

Facebook: Bella Vita Tucson

Image Credits
I took the photos on my phone

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