We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marlene Soto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marlene below.

Alright, Marlene thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

MEDIA Marlene LLC (MEDIA stands for Motivate, Educate, Disability Inclusion & Advocacy) and Helping Swans Co. (Swans stands for Syndrome without a name) mwere born from my personal journey as a mom raising a child with a rare disease and autism, while living with my own disability. I saw firsthand the barriers that families like mine face—barriers in understanding, inclusion, and access to resources. Motivated by my son and a desire to be treated equally, I created MEDIA Marlene LLC to educate and advocate for inclusion, disabilities, and minority disparities. Helping Swans Co., our nonprofit arm, offers the same services at no cost, allowing us to reach even more families in need. What drives me is knowing that through education and literacy using my 6 published books, we can start to change how society views disabilities and make sure no one feels left behind.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Marlene, a Latina mom, author, advocate, and entrepreneur driven by my personal experiences with disability, both as an individual and a mother raising a child with a rare genetic disease and autism. My journey into this field wasn’t planned—it was born out of necessity. After facing numerous barriers in understanding, inclusion, and access to resources, I knew I had to create a platform for families like mine. I wanted to bring visibility to the underrepresentation of disabilities, especially in minority communities, and address the disparities that exist.

What started as a single book, “AJ Goes to Camp,” grew into so much more. Today, I’m the proud founder of MEDIA Marlene LLC and Helping Swans Co., where we provide services focused on disability inclusion, advocacy, and education. We offer author readings, workshops, and keynote speaking, addressing issues like bullying prevention, invisible disabilities, and caregiver support. I’ve published six books and my work now extends to speaking engagements and panel discussions worldwide, from local town halls to Capitol Hill, where I coordinate state senate meetings for rare disease advocacy.

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

Starting my business didn’t happen overnight—it was a slow, steady climb that took years of dedication and sacrifice. Like many entrepreneurs, I didn’t have access to large sums of money or investors. I relied on what I had, and for me, that was my disability check. After taking care of my family’s immediate needs, whatever I had left each month went straight into my vision.

Instead of spending it on unnecessary things, I chose to invest in myself and my dream. Month by month, I paid for my books to be illustrated and published, and little by little, I started to buy the equipment I needed for events. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t glamorous in the beginning. The equipment I could afford wasn’t the best, but I made it work. It was a gradual process, and there were many moments when I had to be patient.

But I never let that stop me. I was determined to create something that would make a difference. Every dollar I saved and invested was a step closer to building MEDIA Marlene LLC and Helping Swans Co. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a huge starting budget—just persistence, resourcefulness, and a clear vision of where you want to go.

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

One of the most challenging parts of my journey has been balancing my own health struggles while caring for my son. Recently, I started a new treatment for my disability, and it’s been anything but easy. The side effects have left me feeling completely drained, physically and emotionally. On top of that, I’ve watched my son, who already faces so many challenges with his rare disease and autism, lose weight and struggle with medical complications of his own. It’s heartbreaking to feel so powerless, seeing him waste away and not being able to fix it.

But in those moments of pain and exhaustion, I found my resilience. I learned to push forward, not because it was easy, but because there was no other option. I had to show up for my son, even when I was struggling myself. This journey has taught me the power of perseverance—that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a reason to keep fighting.

That resilience is what drives me in my business too. I know firsthand what it feels like to face barriers, whether they’re physical, emotional, or societal. And it’s that same resilience I hope to inspire in others—especially the families I work with. If I can keep going through the pain, so can they. This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth every step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/marlenesoto
• Instagram: Helping Swans
• Linkedin: Helpingswans