Mariana McWilliams

Mariana "Mari" McWilliams founded Mari's Gold LLC in 2022 at just 12 years old a snow cone and events business in Phoenix, Arizona, with a mission to "impact the world one snow cone at a time." What started as a bold idea quickly grew into a full experience, featuring 15+ snow cone flavors, fresh buttery popcorn, and fun prizes for kids at events across the Valley.

As her business grew, so did her vision. Mari went on to found Mari's Gold Academy, an online school dedicated to teaching kids ages 6–17 the fundamentals of business, confidence, and leadership. She also co-organizes Dream Builders AZ, a youth business fair partnered with Acton Children's Business Fair, where young entrepreneurs get to pitch, sell, and shine.

A natural storyteller, Mari made history as the first published author in her family. She is the author of multiple books: Mari's Big Idea: A Journey from Fear to Courage, Mari in the Safari: A Kids Guide to Learning About Wildlife and Fun Animal Facts, Learn the Alphabet with Mari's Gold: A to Z Trace and Color Safari Animals, and the Ultimate Kidpreneur Puzzle Book. Her writing is rooted in her own journey proving to young readers everywhere that fear is just the beginning of something great.

Beyond business and books, Mari is a speaker, first-chair flute player, basketball lover, volunteer, and performer. She is paving the way for the next generation of dreamers and doers one snow cone, one book, and one big idea at a time.