We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebel Mariposa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebel, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
A quote I read over decades ago and I think about every week since I have read it is by Mark Twain :” Do what you fear the most and the death of fear is certiain”. The quote reminds me that most of my fears are just something that is unknown and if I keep moving forward, face my fears that the unknown goes from knowing and the fear dissipates .

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business has transformed from a brick and mortar restaurant/bar/venue to a Mexican Indigenous footways company. We now focus on educating individuals, groups and insituations on past and current intersections of food in culture, traditions, and history. This transition came due to COVID-19 when we lost our location and had to pivot. It wasn’t easy to make this change yet it did feel like it was meant to be once we started on the path. If you know in your gut that you are on the right path then when challenges present themselves you have more strength to take them on and move through them. Lessons I have learned along the way are that you can convince yourself to quit or to keep on going, it’s up to you and what you tell yourself. I want the world to know about me is that I value relationships over profit. I want the world to know that this true about our brand as well. At the center of what I believe and who this company operates is the understanding that we (humans, animals, plants, the stars) we are all connected and our relationship to one another, how we honor it is our legacy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Confluence Park, Wild Goji restaurant, Plantiful for vegan baked goods, Chifladas for a drink, walk along the riverwalk downtown

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout the staff (previous and current) and all. our customers. Without these people we would not have made the impact that we have been able to make. I have always been a team player. I am not here on this earth to walk and work alone. I know what with others we can create beautiful and meaningful things, places and experiences. I learn so much from the people I work with and from our customers. I am so grateful for each one of them.

Website: https://vivalabotanica.com

Instagram: labotanicasa

Facebook: labotanicasa

Image Credits
headshot by Josh Huskin

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