Meet Maria Zambrano Curtis

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Zambrano Curtis. 

Hi Maria, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Colombia and moved to the US in 1999. I currently live in Ada, MI with my husband Eric, and our 2 children, Simon and Ana. I hold a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama and I lead the Business and Product Development teams for Meijer. For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of leading manufacturing and supply chain operations teams for General Electric, MillerCoors, and Meijer.

In 2019, I co-founded LIMA – United By Love LLC, with my sister-in-law Linsey Jones, a candle and gifts company with the mission to UNITE, EMPOWER & GIVEBACK. LIMA has given me an opportunity to build an intentional network as well as to establish a deeper connection with my community. Since January of 2020, LIMA has sold over 20K candles and has donated over $35K to women-founded non-profit organizations in the Grand Rapids, MI (Grace’s Table, Beautiful You By Profile, and I Understand)

My parent’s devotion and involvement with our community in Colombia inspired me from an early age to share my time and talents with the most needed individuals. In 2021, I joined the Board of Directors at Grace’s Table, a non-profit organization in Grand Rapids, MI with the mission to walk alongside team mothers from isolation to community so they can reach their full potential. In January 2022, I was elected Chair of the Board of Directors. My goal is to lead Grace’s Table into accelerated growth and continue to elevate and transform the lives of the teen mothers and children we serve.

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?
I moved to the US alone when I was 16 yrs. old and my entire family remained in Colombia. Being alone, in a foreign country, during the later part of my teenage years was very challenging. I had to quickly learn how to believe in myself while also learn how to build a support system around me. During the past almost 23 years, I have become an adult, a professional, a wife, a mother, and a leader in my community while understanding a different culture/language and navigating as an immigrant woman in a male-dominated professional field. I feel endless gratitude with all my family, colleagues, friends, and mentors who have created opportunities for me, supported me, and believed in me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
LIMA – United By love is one of my passion projects. I am the most proud of the growth we have had during the past two and a half years as well as the fact that our products are being recognized as instrument of kindness and love in our community.

As a small business, being able to donate over $35K in only 2 years has been an amazing accomplishment. We have been able to support causes we deeply care about and help educate our community on how to get involved.

Any big plans?
Regarding LIMA, we just signed the lease to our new production facility and bussiness headquarters. We are very excited to increase productivity and efficiency by being able to produce, pack, store, and party all within the same location. We are also thrilled about the opportunity to continue to connect with our community and host fun events to showcase other amazing small businesses/non-profits.

Furthermore, we will continue to support women-founded non-profit organizations and pursue collaborations that are meaningful and cultivate kindness and love. We have an exciting campaign coming with Ama international to help them create bridges of development and growth and breaking cycles of poverty in Zapopan, Mexico.

I am very excited to continue to serve Grace’s Table. We recently purchased our property/headquarters and our goal for this year is to prepare this space for a residential program so we can continue to serve and elevate teen moms and children in our community.

Contact Info:

• Email: maria@gracestable.com | limaunitedbylove@gmail.com
• Website: www.limaunitedbylove.com | www.gracestable.com
• Instagram: @limaunitedbylove | @aroundgracestable
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroundgracestable | https://www.facebook.com/limaunitedbylove

Image Credits
Samantha Ruth Photography
L. Hampton Photography
Melissa Lahaie Photography