We recently had the chance to connect with Biridiana Ordoñez and have shared our conversation below.
Biridiana, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
It is summer break and having a full house of children does not look so normal haha! It has been tougher than usual. My routine has changed for sure. I am back to working out after a bad knee fall accident. So I am loving that feeling once I wake up and zone out just for myself. I always start the day by organizing my home and getting the kids ready for there day. I’ve got them pretty trained so they know mom works from home and needs to do things. Once everyone is settled I go straight to doing social media content, getting ready for my TikTok lives on Tuesday / Wednesday. Then ordering any inventory that I need the other days. I keep myself pretty organized to give everyone the time they deserve.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hola, mi name is Biridiana Ordóñez and I am the owner of M&B Tiny Shop where we strive to bring affordable, high quality , handmade products from Mexico and Guatemala. Our company was inspired by our students (we are both educators) who helped realize that our city was lacking Latino businesses, especially those who showcased beautiful items from our home countries. Since then, our company has been building a bridge between Mexican and Guatemalan cultures, and we have brought representation to our community.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I was very timid and had little friends. I believed that my purpose in life was to obey my parents and be the exceptional student that all first generations kids are. I had to be a teacher. Once I got to High School I learned really quick that I was a lot more powerful than I thought. When I got to College I was able to really see myself and become that person I didn’t realize I was. I am still making my parents proud but have created a powerful voice to inspire others when I didn’t realize I could. I also quit that teaching job to reach for my dreams and my parents have been my number one supporters. That timid girl that didn’t realize she could stand for people now stands up for those who can not and even for herself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me success! But like how you may say. You see I had to close the doors to my dream. I had finally opened my shop in the town I wanted but we were struggling. I had to make the toughest choice to close my doors. I lost my grandmother a few months before that as well and I had gotten into a deep hole. Closing the store didn’t help. It took a lot of me to get back on my feet. You see we had also just adopted our son Cris. He pulled me out of a lot of the anxiety and depression I got into. Many people didn’t realize that. Suffering the losses helped me realized that I could use that to make myself a better person. Customers even helped me get through it when I had TikTok lives. I joined a program in which I won a small grant that helped my business come to live. I cried and found that I have new reasons to be successful, to make myself proud. I dedicate my business to bringing memories of my childhood with my grandmother through my product and sharing that with my community. It has brought a lot more joy and success by sharing the back story.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
As a small shop many people have to create a persona profile to create connection when selling a product but are a total different person at home. Trust me with me it’s not the case. I am as entertaining with customers as I am everywhere. I dance , I sing, and share my true self with everyone.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope there is several haha! I was a teacher, mentor, and inspirer. I hope people tell stories on how I inspired them to become a better version of themselves and reach for there dreams regardless of who they where. I hope people talk about there experiences with me. They can say that I truly loved helping others regardless of my busy schedule and that I never expected anything in return. Most importantly I hope they say that I brought culture awareness and made a difference of there mindset of our countries through our products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mbtinyshop.com
- Instagram: Mbtinyshop.tx
- Facebook: MannyBiri.tinyshop
- Other: TikTok : Mbtinyshop
Image Credits
Social Chica
