Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlen Rosales.
Hi Marlen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
A Honduras native raised in South Florida I am a first generation college graduate with a double major in International Business and Marketing from FAU and Executive MBA From Georgetown University.
I moved away for few years, but like many others, COVID brought me back to vibrant SFL. Through my work as a Business Development and Marketing professional in HealthTech, and from my own experience as a latina growing up with limited resources, I became passionate about community engagement and helping educate individuals on the resources available within our own communities. Since moving back, I was also excited to re-engage with my local community and support businesses and organizations in a meaningful way, which is how Solo Cafecito, a passion project for community engagement and networking was born.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Engagement in general within COVID times has not been smooth but there are so many organizations and businesses doing amazing things that struggled during these times, so for me it was important to get out and connect directly with these individuals and organizations to determine how I can best support them. I am currently focused on connecting and highlighting their work or business through Solo Cafecito network but next phase will be on creating events and opportunities for education, connection, and hopefully community activation.
As you know, we’re big fans of Solo Cafecito. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Solo Cafecito is a community networking organization focused on highlighting and connecting businesses, culture, events, resources, and people within our community.
Solo Cafecito’s mission is to connect individuals to community resources and get them more involved and engaged within our local community in a positive way. With so much negativity and divisions we wanted to create a positive space to engage. Our goal is amplify local business and events, create cultural awareness and support one another. It is intended to be curated by the community for the community so are always looking for recommendations, suggestions, on events, people, businesses to share and feature.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @solocafecitocn
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
As a community Collaborator, it is important to be in the know, to be authentic and show genuine interest in and around our communities, to be able to partner and engage with local organizations, and also understand each organizations/individuals’ unique needs. My background in business development and marketing is equally important to being able to identify, highlight and support in a meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Solocafecitocn
- Facebook: Solocafecitocn
- Email: solocafecitocn@gmail.com
Image Credit
Main photo by Fine Art Production
