The Inspirational Journey of Mercedes Covarrubias
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose resilience and determination are so inspiring that their story must be shared. Mercedes Covarrubias is one such individual. It has been my privilege to watch her transform her challenging past into a promising future as she recently launched her own bookkeeping business. Her journey is a testament to her tenacity, drive, and unwavering spirit.
A Tough Start
Mercedes has always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit – one that was born out of both determination and survival. Raised in “the projects” of Denver, Colorado, Mercedes grew up in a severely poverty-stricken home.
“My mom would send me to the store and tell me to buy the cheapest candies with food stamps so she could get change for cigarettes or beer,” says Mercedes.
Although she was never taught or shown how to budget or live within her means, Mercedes managed to learn the value of money on her own at a very young age. She took a shine to the idea of saving and earning money, and by the age of 13, she landed her very first job at a car wash. This job marked the beginning of her bumpy journey towards financial independence, and eventually, business ownership.
Early Struggles and Hard Lessons
Mercedes’ childhood was far from easy. With her mother often drunk and her older brother in charge, any money she earned was frequently given to her family. Despite these challenges, she persisted, securing multiple jobs to make ends meet. By the time she was 14, Mercedes had obtained a work permit and was working as much as legally possible, taking on three jobs to ensure that she could help her family.
The Turning Point
At age 16, Mercedes and her siblings were taken from their mother, a turning point that led her to seek emancipation. Through this process, she learned how to budget and responsibly spend and save her money. At 18, she moved into her first place and secured a full time job at Elitch Gardens Human Resources. Having achieved a sense of independence, Mercedes was feeling excited for the future. But she would soon take on the massive responsibility of raising her 10-year-old brother, forcing her to learn very quickly how to become a provider.
Overcoming Adversity
The weight of responsibility was a heavy one for Mercedes, and the pressure would only continue to mount when she went from “provider” to “young mother”. She gave birth to her first son at age 19, and then she gave birth to her second son very soon after. All the while, she was still raising her kid brother. Despite these hardships, Mercedes never lost sight of her goal: to make sure her kids never grow up the way she did.
Embracing a New Life
After years of working numerous jobs and climbing the career ladder, Mercedes’ life suddenly came to an abrupt halt when she suffered a severe ATV accident. Being the busy-body that she is, she was reluctant to take time off of work to recover. But during her recovery, she had a revelation: she was ready to start her own business. Armed with her tried-and-true financial skills, Mercedes decided to open her own bookkeeping business. While Mercedes started her entrepreneurial journey with no prior business ownership experience, her knack for problem-solving was her greatest asset. Her path took a significant turn when she connected with Cross Purpose, where she was connected with a Change Agent (yours truly) and invaluable resources. With plenty of expert guidance and emotional support behind her, she quickly progressed through the program, gaining invaluable insights and practical tools that would later help her launch her business. Her determination paid off, and she is now the proud owner of her very own bookkeeping business, A Breeze Bookkeeping and Tax— an achievement that still fills me with tremendous pride to this day.
A Bright Future
Mercedes Covarrubias is a shining example of resilience and determination. Her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful business owner is nothing short of inspirational. Mercedes’ story is a powerful reminder that with the right support and a whole lot of determination, you can overcome any obstacle.
I am so honored to have been a part of her journey, and I’m excited to see where her determination takes her next. Mercedes, your journey has only just begun, and I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things. Here’s to your continued success and the incredible future that lies ahead!
Check out her website at:
