Meet Mariana, a 13-year-old entrepreneur with a mission to inspire the world through her snow cone business, Mari’s Gold. She’s also is author of Mari’s Big Dream, a story about a girl who overcomes fear and self-doubt to start a successful snow cone venture, mirroring Mariana’s own journey. Inspired to make a difference, Mariana aims to break the mold of traditional 9-to-5 jobs, encouraging other kids to follow their dreams. At Mari’s Gold, she offers a unique, interactive experience with customized snow cones for private events and vendor markets. Every kid’s cone comes with a free toy and a chance to spin the wheel for prizes, featuring over 20 flavors and various toppings to create delightful memories. Mariana’s talents extend beyond entrepreneurship; she plays the flute, loves basketball, and takes pride in her skincare routine. Her strengths include problem-solving, creativity, and resilience. Since launching in July 2024, she has already given back to her community by distributing 250 snow cones at a nonprofit event and made history as the first author in her family. Looking ahead, Mariana dreams of saving for a food truck to reach more customers and starting a program to help other kids pursue their dreams and learn about business and saving. Outside of her business, she played the Cat in the Hat at Desert Stages, is the first-chair flute player in her band, and volunteers at Feed My Starving Children. Mariana’s mission is clear: “Impacting the world one snow cone at a time.”
