Maria Mendez: Empowering street vendors in Chicago

Negocios Now

Maria Mendez is a dedicated social entrepreneur and an accomplished food sanitation instructor, certified by both the Chicago Department of Public Health and the National Restaurant Association. With a deep passion for food and business, she currently owns and operates a small business that provides essential training and technical assistance to food entrepreneurs while also celebrating Mexican culinary traditions.

Her journey in the food industry began with years of experience as a tamale vendor, where her perseverance, hard work, and dedication allowed her to break barriers and achieve a historic milestone. Maria became the city’s first officially licensed Latina Mobile Prepared Food Vendor, setting a precedent for other aspiring entrepreneurs. Today, her business, Yolis Tamales LLC, holds four active food business licenses—an exceptional achievement in the street food vending sector of Chicago. As a proud Latina business owner, Maria is committed to making a lasting social impact, advocating for the value that street vendors bring to the city’s vibrant culinary culture.

Since 2016, Maria has used her expertise to guide and train other food businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of licensing, regulatory compliance, and economic opportunities. With a strong commitment to education and empowerment, she has successfully helped Chicago restaurant owners, residents, and food entrepreneurs transition into the formal economy by obtaining industry-required certifications issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Currently, she partners with Universidad Popular’s adult education program to provide contextualized training and proctoring for the Manager Food Sanitation certificate exam. Additionally, she assists entrepreneurs with city licensing, business registration, and tax filing with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Through her leadership and advocacy, Maria Mendez continues to uplift and support food entrepreneurs, strengthening Chicago’s economic landscape and culinary heritage.

Words of Wisdom

“Thinking about your future business is not enough, step out of the shadows and become that future entrepreneur.”