Rising Stars: Meet Mariana McWilliams of Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana McWilliams.

Hi Mariana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business journey at just 12 years old in July 2024. I’ve always loved going to vendor markets with my parents—it was so inspiring to see all the creativity and hard work people put into their businesses. That’s when I realized I wanted to start something of my own—not just for fun, but to inspire and empower others too.

I came up with the name Mari’s Gold because I’ve always loved flowers, and when I saw the marigold flower, it just felt right. It reminded me of something bright, bold, and full of life..

My goal isn’t just to sell snow cones or books; it’s to help change generations. I want to create opportunities for my friends and show other kids that they can turn their ideas into something amazing, too.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been easy! Some days we were out in the hot sun with no air conditioning, and it was hard to stay cool. I also had to learn how many flavors to bring and how much ice we really needed—sometimes we brought too much or not enough.

One of the hardest parts was finding syrup that still tastes good but doesn’t have too much sugar. I want kids to enjoy it, but I also want parents to feel good about it too.

Even though it’s been tough sometimes, I’ve learned that every challenge teaches you something. When things go wrong, I just figure out how to do better next time.

One of my favorite scriptures is:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
God is always my strength, and with Him, nothing is impossible.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a 13-year-old CEO and the founder of Mari’s Gold, based in Phoenix, Arizona. I make fun and tasty snow cones with over 15 different flavors! I do birthday parties, school events, sports games, daycares, corporate events—pretty much anywhere there are people who love a good snow cone.

What sets Mari’s Gold apart is my commitment to personalized service. I create custom menus for every event and work hard to make sure each interaction is a fun, positive experience. I want every customer to feel special and leave with a smile!

I’m also the author of two books: Mari’s Big Idea and Mari in the Safari. I started my business to inspire other kids to go after their dreams, just like I did.

Now, I’m hoping to partner with schools and organizations to teach other kids how to become entrepreneurs too. If I can do it, they can too!

I’m most proud that I kept going no matter what, stayed positive even when things got hard, and wasn’t afraid to ask for help when I needed it. Every challenge just made me stronger and more excited to keep growing!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
All you need is an idea. Seriously! Just one idea can turn into something amazing. Don’t be scared to start small—just start! Turn that idea into a business.

You’re going to make mistakes (I did!), but that’s how you learn. Be open to changing things up, trying new stuff, and figuring out what works. The biggest thing is to believe in yourself and keep going, even when it gets hard.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisgold_snowcones
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/165P8JhTAB/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@marisgold8
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@marisgold_snowcones