Tammy Menjivar of Laveen – SW Phoenix on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Tammy Menjivar and have shared our conversation below.

Tammy, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I wouldn’t say I was afraid to do so before but in the last several months I’ve had this huge desire to do more for our Latino community especially our immigrant brothers and sisters. I’m full of ideas and I hope they all eventually come to life but recently I’ve felt a pull to express my gratitude to those that gave me life. As a first generation Salvadoreña growing up with parents navigating life in a country with a language they didn’t understand and building a life for their kids they could be proud of, I greatly oppose the way immigration policies are tearing families apart. While corporate news continues to criminalize black and brown people, I’d like to share the story of a brave man, my dad and resilient parents who changed the trajectory of their family forever with the help of community.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Consider me your honorary foodie amiga (friend), mostly because I love food – growing up watching my dad harvest crops in El Salvador then watch my mami turn those ingredients into fresh tortillas de maiz, sopa de frijoles or tamales de elote was like witnessing magic. Spending Sunday mornings at the mercado with my mom while she shopped from her comadres – many years later I’d realize she was the first to teach me about building community through food and the value of supporting local. We have the power to change our communities with how and where we spend our money, I hope I’m able to inspire someone to shop small – for every $100 spent in local businesses, $68 dollars stay in the community versus $43 when spent on big corporate.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I think like most kids of immigrant parents I grew up with a hard-working mom and dad. My mom taught me the amount of energy, love and kindness it takes to make a house, a home and keep homemade meals on the table. My dad taught me discipline and the value in making sacrifices to achieve your dreams – admittedly something I’m trying to find a balance in. Although I remember those long nights waiting for dad to come home after an exhausting day at work, he’d wake up day after day to provide for his family. These are attributes that have helped me be the first in my lineage to achieve certain goals and I don’t take that for granted.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Oh I love this question because I talk to her often and I think it’s healthy. She would be proud of the life she’s built.
If I have to pick one kind thing it would be that your uniqueness is your power, keep shining! Growing up as a Salvi kid at that time was often tied to gang related activity, made fun of for our accent or food. Now at 33 years old I couldn’t be prouder of where I come from. I’m hardly back home but I’m always repping.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely, who you see is who I am. I am shy IRL + social media and will hardly show face but I’m working on it. My hope is that you can sense my genuine energy, I’m happy to be an amiga to anyone who needs it. 🙂

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
Resting. This year especially has been difficult to make it through while remaining resistant. It’s important for me to take moments of rest both physically and mentally to allow myself to keep going. As a first generation salvi kid there’s been guilt attached to rest for most of my life but I’ve learned to make this a priority after my body forced me to pause due to illness.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodie.amiga/
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodie.amiga