We recently connected with Mayrose Marquez and have shared our conversation below.

Mayrose , appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I took a risk of launching my picnic business on August 2020 during the pandemic. I recently retired from teaching after 17 years to work for a travel company since I like to travel. But that was short lived due to COVID. I was one of the many that was laid off unfortunately. During the lockdown, I went on many picnics. Not having a job during this time, I decided to launch my picnic business after seeing charcuterie companies pop on my Instagram feed. It was my “aha moment”. It was then I realized that I can make my concept a reality since I am able to source my food. I also asked my friend to make me tables. Hence, Picnic with Me was born. Today, I have curated over 600 picnics.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mayrose Marquez. I am a former elementary teacher who taught 4th grade at an all boys school in Anaheim. Picnics have always been my passion. My very first big picnic event was for my daughter’s bridal shower (September 2017). I rented vintage furnitures and had a variety of pillows and blankets for guests to use. I also did a surprise backyard picnic for my daughter’s 30th birthday. I made a table and used cinder blocks to set the tabletop on. I also made a canopy for shade over the picnic table.

I curate a beautiful picnic setting for my clients for various occasions. I provide low tables, an assortment of pillows, blankets or rugs used as ground cover, and a complete table setting with non disposable items as well as props to go with the theme picnic (ei: boho style, elegant, vintage, etc…). I also make the flower arrangements to add to the table setting.

My classic and simple style sets me apart from the other picnic companies. I use only quality products. Most of the items I use for my settings are from stores like Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, West Elm and some local boutique shops just to name a few. No two picnics are alike. Having excellent customer service is also very important to my brand. I do my best to give my clients excellent customer service from the beginning to the end. I have conversations with my clients to discuss their vision. Many have shared some companies are not as responsive and seems to rely on email or automated responses as I have discovered from clients who have contacted other picnic companies and shard this concern.

The Picnic with Me brand is providing and effortless picnic and excellent service.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a 57 year old woman, I do not let age deter me from hauling tables and all the picnic items to and from the picnic location. I lift and haul to and from the beach, park or the client’s backyard. I have no choice but must provide a service that clients have paid for. I work in all sorts of weather conditions. Living in Southern California, I have no choice but to haul and carry all the picnic items to its designated picnic spot even on a very hot day. As you can imagine, I’m sweating bullets! But that does not phase me. I have a job to do and that’s to make sure the picnic is ready and wiating when the clients arrive. It’s my workout regimen!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I did not have an initial capital when I first started my business. I literally started with nothing -just what ever items I had as well as a few items a friend of mine let me borrow. When I first launched, I started with a 2 person and a 4 person picnic. To gain more clients, I did picnics with friends and family first just so I have content to share on Instagram. Purchasing an ad in IG was also helpful. I did this for a few months until I slowly built my clientele. I used the money I earned from booking my picnics to build my inventory. It was a slow process but I eventually began to earn more than my salary as a teacher. I began to average about $5K-$6K a month the first year. It has grown since then.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://picnicwithme.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picnic_with_me/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/picnicwme
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/picnic-with-me-hermosa-beach?osq=picnic+with+me