Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Martinez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started once upon a time when I was working as a Parent Engagement Assistant for PGCPS at an Early Childhood Center for children with special needs. I noticed that a lot of parents felt overwhelmed, and teachers were struggling to connect with the families. Workshops were bland. At the same time, I was a young mom struggling to get my then-3-year-old to eat, and the moms and I bonded over it.
I felt just as lost and overwhelmed as the families I was trying to help. So I started conducting a needs assessment and chatting with other moms to learn more about their lives and what brought them joy. I learned that moms wanted to connect with their children and wanted work-life- balance and the teachers wanted the same thing.
Then COVID hit, our interactions became limited, and social media was popping. My daughter and I started doing live cooking shows together. She would interact with viewers and taste whatever we were cooking. People started tuning in and watching our videos. That’s how My Eating Project began a page about nutrition, wellness, and balance.
From there, we grew I started creating events centered on advocacy and self-care things like a mental health seminar paired with a sip-and-paint, or a vision board crafting party with a presentation on goal setting. My Eating Project has evolved from a nutrition page to a full lifestyle and community engagement brand, where wellness, family engagement, community, and professional growth meet. I share practical ideas on wellness and family engagement strategies, behind-the-scenes moments from education, and professional tips designed to help people build healthier, more connected communities.
Today, I help local businesses, schools, and nonprofits create events, workshops, and trainings things like “Work Smarter, Not Harder: Using AI as Your Personal Assistant to Increase Engagement.” I offer a full-service brand that includes community engagement consulting, brand strategy, and workshop support.
Getting here meant stepping out of my comfort zone and listening to my peers’ encouragement to share my knowledge with others.
Listening to my community is what makes my events and workshops successful. Also, the people like to party! So I incorporate food. People don’t want just another workshop or training they want community! Food is at the heart of what brings people together. By partnering with local businesses and bringing brand collaborations into my community events and wellness initiatives, I create experiences that feel authentic. We love a good theme event! I always advocate that taking care of yourself allows you to take care of your community. This is a space where creativity and connection meet.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggle has been real balancing my day job, looking for clients, posting on social media, and making time for my group boxing class. together.
Not to mention being a mom a wife who is present! Attending school events and homework!
However, I have been lucky to have good bosses who have allowed me to bring my daughter who is now 11 to work on her early dismissal days or days off. She helps
Setup for events and welcome guests.
This has helped her become organized in event planning and a great note taker and good list follower.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What do you do / What do you specialize in?
I’m the founder of My Eating Project, a lifestyle and community engagement brand that sits at the intersection of wellness, family engagement, and professional development. I specialize in creating events, workshops, and trainings for schools, nonprofits, and local businesses things like parent engagement strategies, self-care-themed community events, and practical trainings such as using Ai, Canva, and Google suites. I hold an Associate of Science in Special Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, and I currently work in family and community engagement for PGCPS so I bring a strategic business lens, an education-rooted lens, and firsthand experience supporting children with special needs to everything I build under My Eating Project.
What are you known for?
I’m known for tech savvyness in community engagement blending advocacy with self-care in ways people don’t expect like pairing a mental health seminar with a sip-and-paint, turning a Touch a Truck event day into a full fledge Community/ Career day or a vision board party with a goal-setting presentation. I’m also known for building community through food. I incorporate food into nearly everything I do because it’s what brings people together and makes an event feel like more than “just another workshop.”
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud that My Eating Project started from a real, personal struggle motherhood! As a young mom trying to get my toddler to eat, and while working at an Early Childhood Center for children with special needs, feeling just as lost and overwhelmed as the families I was trying to help. What began as live cooking videos with my daughter during COVID has grown into a full brand and business built on that same instinct: listen and connect first, then teach.
What sets you apart?
I combine a business and marketing background with a special education background and hands-on experience in family and community engagement, so my work is both strategic and deeply rooted in understanding people’s real needs. I don’t just run events I build brand experiences rooted in authenticity, real content strategy, and community partnerships. And I build every event around the idea that taking care of yourself is what allows you to take care of your community.
What’s next?
Ahh I have several ideas. My goal is to have my own space where I can hold events that are centered on learning, advocacy, and community. And of course make it a theme!
Where I can host a mini conference pajama party with presentations on, “Sleep! The Easiest Part of Parenting! Said No One Ever!”
Work with partners for giveaways and have photo booths.
Have a space where we can do kids mini learning workshops.
A “Young Creators Corner” That builds:
Confidence
Public speaking
Financial literacy
Ownership mindset
To be able to have My Eating Project merch!
I want MEP to grow and to be able to allow me to do what I love full time and show my daughter what work life balance can really look like while also helping our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myeatingproject.square.site/about?utm_id=97759_v0_s00_e0_tv3&fbclid=IwRlRTSAUYLrhwZG9mAWZkaWQWUOkF7HQZITxJVMv7-4-xFJsVcMgmzmV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5bnW-V9AvUNZ8IWoGn6dNVjdHc7iyhCGeelxHj6-S7aful9sbHLFNKs6sCWA_aem_1OSqtWBcMFhc1s4WVwu5ig
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myeatingproject?stkn=Z3lsbWpua2gwbXU5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C7mvqaLVz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-martinez-33126357?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Other: https://pgcpsparentleaders.my.canva.site/myeatingproject
