Meet Candice Mendez of Salt.V.Mo Events in Navajo Nation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Mendez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Candice. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started working at the Arizona Biltmore after graduating from the University of Arizona. I completed with a major in History but ended up working in the Hospitality industry. After the economy took a turn for the worst, I ended up with a chance to own and run a licorera in Costa Rica. That was when I got my first taste for entrepreneurship.

I loved the rush of a sale, having control over what I earned and building relationships with my customers and the community. I moved back to the US and got back into work in the food and beverage industry at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. During that time, in order to pay off student loans, I started moonlighting in catering and banquets and got to learn the back of the house at events. However, during a chance meeting at a wine bar, I was offered the fantastic opportunity to work a Native-owned, women-owned non-profit called, Native Public Media. I worked as a public relations specialist and policy aide. There I planned and managed conferences, advocated for official NPM policy, coordinated visits to Washington D.C., developed fundraising plans and served as a liaison for the national NPM network for tribal radio and television stations across Indian Country. However, home on the Navajo Nation was calling to me and the only way to have the flexibility of working from home, co-managing the ranch was to start my business in something I was good at: event planning. In 2017, I incorporated Salt.V.Mo on the Nation Nation and haven’t looked back since!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a Navajo owned business, there are a lot more obstacles than a business incorporated with the state of Arizona. One of the many obstacles was having a physical address for my business. Most of the Navajo Nation is rural without any numerical physical addresses (coincidentally a lot like Costa Rica) but more like directions. For instance, my physical address is: 4.3 Miles North of Navajo Route 15, at Mile Post 41.6. Winslow AZ 86047. Many entities would not allow my physical address because the online input box would not allow that many characters and rejected the address. These entities were important entities needed for a business, such as banks and the IRS. My first paycheck written out to Salt.V.Mo, LLC, I had huge check for a week because I was going from bank to bank, begging them to take my Navajo Nation physical address and my Navajo Nation tax ID. It was very stressful because rent was due, I needed money for groceries and gas.

Please tell us about Salt.V.Mo Events.
Salt.V.Mo specializes in event management from concept to creation. We will own the whole process – from early strategy to day-of execution to close-out. We combine 10+ years of experience with our extensive network of trusted vendors and creatives to craft and execute events that will maximize ROI. I am most proud that we are a Native-woman owned company and we understand cultural protocols and proactively create space for the Native traditions that are important to the community. Additionally, no corner of Indian Country is too remote for our team.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First, shout-out goes to my clients; for their support and endless referrals. My network of Native women entrepreneurs for referrals, cheerleading and advocates. My accountant at Avalon Accounting for her long hours of business counseling and overall therapy. And of course my family and best friends. For everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saltvmo.com
• Phone: 6028204907
• Email: cmendez@saltvmo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltvmo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltVMo

Image Credit:
Photographer Credit: Sam Minkler

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