Meet Marie Rodriguez | Entrepreneur & Business Owner

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

Hi Marie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process when starting this business was getting out. I thought of my family, the lack of money & freedom. I was determined to get out. I was screaming for freedom.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our integrity in business & with other personal relationships set us apart from any other business. I was raised in a traditional family where our values are to never be compromised for anything or anyone.

I am excited to keep creating and sharing our dishes with the community and in the near future with the entire world.

Our fresh ingredients, authentic flavors and efforts to make every single customer feel at home, welcomed when in our sit down restaurant is what I am most proud of.

I started my business in 2020 when COVID was happening, at the time I was beginning my spiritual journey, opportunities presented themselves and I took advantage of them. I was determined & eager to do something about my situation. I was 17 at the time and I quit my regular job and dropped out of high school senior year to pursue entrepreneurship without having an actual business plan. My faith, courage, sacrifices & support of my family allowed me to have a successful business. A business that now gives me passive income.

Owning and running a business are two separate things and I do both. It’s very challenging, especially when you grow up in a community that doesn’t have the resources. The lack of connections and education in business. I had to go through rejection. There was landlords who didn’t lease me a space because they didn’t believe in my business. Everyone thought we would fail, they took us as a joke. I didn’t know what an EIN was I didn’t know what an LLC was. I didn’t know about permits & tax laws. I had to learn as I went along. I had to experience not knowing to know. I had no friends or family pursuing business or entrepreneurship. I had no one guide me.
I overcame my obstacles by being scared but still taking the risks, making a decision and not looking back. I had to put my pride aside and say look “I don’t know what the fuck I am doing” to then ask questions, to get answers, to get the help.

A valuable lesson I want to share is don’t get comfortable, have your mind open to the unknown, strive for more. Staying still will have you nowhere but in the same place as last year. You grow the most when you are uncomfortable and out of your comfort zone. There was a time throughout the last three years that I’ve been in business where I got comfortable and got behind. In business you will always have competition it’s important to stay on top of our game to meet our goals.

I want the world to know that everyone faces adversity in this life. We have the same 24 hours every single day. Our mind must be stronger than our circumstances. Never fall victim. I am the brand & I represent humility, integrity and authenticity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Sedona Arizona, on a hike, we would go to a lake with a waterfall, tan in the sun, eat some fresh fruit. Then meditate in nature, pick each others brain and go to a relaxing dinner with some good wine and steak.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Mother & Father. Without their support it would have not been possible.

Instagram: @analiliasriquezas

Facebook: Analilia’s Riquezas

Yelp: Analilia’s Riquezas

Other: analiliasriquezas@outlook.com