Welcome to our “Get to Know” series! Each Tuesday (for the next year), we’re going to introduce you to a creator in the wellness space that we think you NEED to know. The creators we feature are of various backgrounds. Whether they’re an online content creator, coach, or owner of a product-based brand, they each have their own niche in the wellness world and contribute to the space, as a whole, in an incredibly meaningful way. We’re setting this up Q&A-style so that you can learn more about each creator’s why, the content that they’re most proud of, and exactly how you can be a part of and contribute to their journey. We hope you enjoy our conversations with these wonderful people and brands. We know they’re going to enrich your lives!
This week, we’re interviewing Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack of Muy Bueno. Yvette says, “Mexican food and culture have always been a big part of my life. As a young girl, I remember learning to cook with my mom, Vangie, and my grandma, Jesusita. But it wasn’t until my grandmother passed away in 2004, at the age of 98, that I realized just how passionate I really was about keeping my culture alive in my own family.” Follow along as we learn more about Yvette:
Why did you start your business?
Yvette: I started my blog in 2010 as a way to share my journey of publishing a cookbook (Muy Bueno). I had a full time job in marketing and graphic design and didn’t know at the time that blogging could even be a business. After blogging a few months I was asked by brands to either advertise on my blog or partner with them and develop recipes using their products. I eventually began to dabble in recipe development, which is what I do as part of my business. In 2012, I was laid off from my full time job and it was such a blessing in disguise. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and pursue my passion and make my blog a full time business.
Mexican food and culture have always been a big part of my life. As a young girl, I remember learning to cook with my mom, Vangie, and my grandma, Jesusita. But it wasn’t until my grandmother passed away in 2004, at the age of 98, that I realized just how passionate I really was about keeping my culture alive in my own family.
What’s your mission/purpose statement?
Yvette: I created MuyBuenoCookbook.com as an online journal to document the journey of writing a cookbook. Over time, it evolved into a place where I could celebrate my culture, my grandma, and my mother, by preserving the generations of traditions en la cocina. I provide approachable recipes and videos all with a Latin twist. My blog is for millennials and Latin food lovers looking for comforting and traditional Mexican recipes as well as modern healthy recipes.
What 2 (or 3!) pieces of content are you the proudest of?
Yvette: I am most proud of my two babies (my two cookbooks), Muy Bueno and Latin Twist. It’s true what they say — writing a cookbook is like giving birth.
I am also super proud of these posts: Traditional Mexican Remedies – in this post I share special memories about how my grandma would heal me with natural remedios (remedies). Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding) is a special recipe that is very popular during the Lenten season and is very near and dear to my heart. Stacked Red Enchiladas (Enchiladas Rojas) is this recipe my grandma made every Friday — this post is full of tradition and special memories.
Where are you going next? What’s your goal for the next year?
Yvette: I have so many goals. A big goal is to publish another cookbook. I’d also love to continue to grow my blog. I am blessed to have an amazing team and because of them have been able to really stand out when it comes to photography and videography.
How can we (and the Fed and Fit community) best support you?
Yvette: Please keep in touch and subscribe to Muy Bueno and follow me on Instagram. Check out my cookbooks, Muy Bueno and Latin Twist and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
