Chips, Salsa, and Saying Yes to Business

Marisela never planned on becoming a businesswoman. In college, the Ecuadorian studied hospitality—a perfect fit for her bubbly personality and warm smile. In the decades after graduating, she built her career, most recently managing a medical clinic while raising her two children.  

 Then one day she met a businessman from Mexico. As they got to talking, the man told Marisela about his business: he made and sold corn tortillas, chips, and salsa. Then he did something Marisela wasn’t expecting.

He asked if she wanted to purchase his entire business. 

Marisela had no experience marketing a product, and she didn’t know anything about making tortilla chips, but she did know people. The more she thought about the offer, the more she felt called to business. 

And so, Marisela said “yes.” 

First Steps as a Newfound Businesswoman

Now in possession of her own business, Marisela got to work improving it.  

She traveled to Mexico to learn improved tortilla cooking methods, which dramatically increased the quality and efficiency of her production. Previously, it took three people to cook 80 pounds of corn. Now her team of four can cook 300 pounds!  

But even with her improved methods, Marisela needed help. She had the technical know-how and people skills, but she still lacked the marketing techniques to take her business to the next level.