Victory Lap: How Irene Marie Consulting is Helping Millenials Build Their Dream Lifestyles
Christina Mendez juggles many hats-mother,brand strategist, Latina, entrepreneur, code/tech builder and more. She’s supernatural; the ability to be a single mom of 3 kids, handle multiple clients and projects at once, have copious amounts of Starbucks every day, multiple tabs open in her mind and on her Mac computer, and a laugh so infectious it’ll turn any bad day into a sitcom.
The 29 year old Dayton, OH native was previously a marketing director and worked at Premier Health before she fired her employer and began working for herself as the founder of Irene Marie Consulting, a consulting agency that’s committed to combating the millennial debt crisis by finding creative solutions through career consulting, brand building and lifestyle coaching.
“I started out as a marketing director for an allied health college in Dayton,” says Christina. “I ran all their social media accounts, marketing events, grants, etc. I was overworked and severely underpaid. I kindly asked for a raise listing all my qualifications and they denied me, saying I needed the job as a single mom and promoting someone with less experience than me.”
After crying in her office, quitting on the spot and making a dramatic exit to Cardi B’s testimonial rap song “Get Up 10,” the self taught code builder risked it all and began building the blueprint for Irene Marie Consulting the very next day.
Handling 200 clients with pending, existing and already launched projects and businesses ranging from non-profits and media platforms to political firms, product based businesses and music artists, Christina has her hands in many pots-often writing, building a website with complex codes and talking to a client on FaceTime simultaneously.
“200 clients sounds like a lot, but it’s not at all,” laments Christina. “A lot of clients are active, most have already seen their brands to fruition and just call me for follow ups, so it’s varying stages of clients’ brands that I deal with.”
What makes Irene Marie Consulting such a niche company is that it’s the only one of its’ kind in Dayton- a one stop shop for those looking to start a business, build a non-profit or just simply get their life on track and achieve their goals. Christina created it from scratch to do just that on purpose, wanting to reinvent the wheel of what it means to give millennials working, tangible solutions to their debt and lifestyle problems.
Christina on the set on one of her client Hard Bottom Entertainment’s music video shoots.
Photo Cred: HBE (Hard Bottom Entertainment)
“I pretty much do it all-career consulting, business consulting,life coaching, branding, marketing, web design, print service, you name it,” says Christina. I was just tired of millenials getting the run around with no real solutions. It was convoluted bullshit. So I built a firm that spoke to all the things millennials were actually struggling with, like how to really utilize LinkedIn, what it means to build a brand, how to make your first $1k in business, etc.”
Another unique selling point of IMC is the price point- Christina is strikingly affordable in offering her services, making her accessible for anyone to get assistance in creating their business or receive life coaching.
“I work with everyone's budget,” says Christina. “I let people pay their websites off based on their budget, and my monthly retainer fees are flexible and cost effective. Does it mean I work more than the average consultant? Yes, but my goal is impact-the money will come because my intentions are pure.”
Christina politely pauses to answer a FaceTime call; one of her clients has several questions about their line of luxury hair extensions. Her voice crescendos as she gets passionate looking at the different textures, stern and using colorful language when discussing costs and contracts, laughing with sparkling eyes.
Christina at a client consultation with Beautique 143, a plus sized clothing line in Dayton,OH,
I glance around her room; her desk decorated with her signature brand colors of rose gold and black, clients files stacked neatly atop her printer. A Puerto Rican flag is posted proudly on the corner of her bedpost. There’s also a large painting and small print of the late rapper and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle hung on her wall. If you know or have met Christina, then you know the significance of what Nipsey means to her and her brand.
“I started listening to Nipsey back in 2012 before my son was born,” says Christina, her eyes glassy with emotion. “I cried when he passed away because I felt like he was the only artist I really felt understood what it meant to be against all these insurmountable obstacles and still win. Plus he understood business and branding.”
“Nipsey lived by a code of honor and respect-he was going to make it to the top on his terms without faking it,” says Christina as she stared at his painting. “I’ve always done my own thing separate from the crowd and Nipsey always empowered me to do so. My heart is with the people, that’s why I don’t have huge corporate contracts. I vow to never make it and suddenly switch up on people.”
No journey to success is complete without roadblocks, which Christina faced many.
“I’ve lived a very unconventional life- there’s a lot of painful events that have shaped my worldview and personality-it’s like what haven’t I endured?” says Christina with a sad smile.
“But specifically with IMC, it was born from a dark place. I had just had a nasty breakup from what I thought was my fiance. It came down to me wanting to chase my dreams instead of being stuck in a life that wasn’t for me. I spiraled into a major depression and for the next 730 days, I grieved. I didn’t leave my apartment unless it was for work. I would cry before client consultations and wipe my eyes to pull it together. I lost my mind and on the outside, everyone thought I had it together. It took a lot of prayer and accountability to pull me out of that.”
Entangled with being a full time entrepreneur for a lot of women is also the responsibility of still raising and taking care of their family-especially if they have kids. Christina has three that are 7,9 and 11. With little support from family due to them living in separate cities, she has little to no support in assisting her kids with her hectic lifestyle, so like most entrepreneurs and moms do, she makes it work.
“My entire family lives in another city-it's just me, the kids, and my grandmother here, so there are no babysitters or help really,” exclaims Christina. “Mind you I have some great friends that will do whatever if I ask, but I rarely ever ask. I take my 3 kids to most of all of my meetings and business events. I have to make sure everyone has snacks, iPads and stuff to entertain them while I work or am at consultations. Managing it all is NUTS.”
But motherhood is part of the driving force behind Irene-Marie Consulting-part inspiration, part no other option.
“Motherhood shapes my business,” laments Christina. “ I can never be lazy, I have 3 children to provide for. There is no one coming to save me. So Plan A has to work for them. There is no boyfriend, husband, silent donors helping me with my business, it's all me. My work ethic directly affects my kids. So it's always go time.”
The motto for Irene Marie Consulting is helping the underdog win.
“I work with the people no one else wants to work with,” Christina says. “The people who are counted out and looked over.. No problem is too big or small. I'll try to put everyone in a position to win. I take as much time as is needed to explain any part of business until my clients feel empowered. I don't talk down to them and make them feel small for not knowing, instead I put them on the game and set them on a plan to get results.”
Gritty, honest and touting a work ethic fueled by Nipsey Hussle lyrics, a shelf full of planners and endless cups and glasses of Starbucks and Bustelo coffee, Christina is the innate epitome of the marathon continues. Her passionate, no-nonsense approach to living an authentic full life professionally and personally is what makes her a beacon of light for single moms, Puerto Ricans, business owners and any person who feels like they’ve been glossed over and underestimated. She refuses to accept no for an answer, cultivates talent from scratch and challenges herself in multitudes of ways each day to evolve and set an exemplary example for her kids, clients and city. She is currently working on a membership community, branded merch, online academy with business courses and much more. Christina’s life is a physical embodiment of bible verse Matthew 20:16- “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”
Her race is not a sprint, but a marathon that continues no matter the weather. Her advice to folks who are apprehensive on starting a business or improving their lifestyle?
“Never let them trick you out of your spot-what’s for you is yours alone. Do it scared, broke, angry-just do it.”
Visit her personal brand at www.thecmendez.com or her firm Irene-Marie Consulting.
