This week, I submitted my application for the Gusto Impact Awards, and I want to share why this moment feels so meaningful.
Lil’ Marco and Friends began from a place of heartbreak. When my husband Albert passed away, I searched for a book to help my grandchildren deal with their grief. But I couldn’t find anything that reflected their experiences… or their faces.
So I wrote the book myself.
That moment opened the door to a mission I hadn’t planned for — creating joyful, inclusive stories that help children feel seen, valued, and inspired.
As a solo founder, the journey has been far from easy — but it has been full of purpose.
I’ve spent countless nights writing and illustrating… and just as many days driving to schools, libraries, vendor markets, and community events. I’ve loaded cars, set up tents, packed orders, donated books, talked with parents, and hugged excited kids who whispered, “He looks like me.”
Those moments fuel me.
Today, Lil’ Marco and Friends has:
• Sold 60,000+ books
• Donated thousands to schools and nonprofits
• Seen plushies used as emotional-support companions
• Begun developing a literacy-first animated series
• Built a community that believes representation matters
Winning the Gusto Impact Award would allow us to expand this impact — reaching more children, donating more literacy kits, and completing our animated pilot.
✨ If you’d like to show support, you can like, share, or comment on our post and tag @gustohq with #GustoImpactAwards. Every bit of support helps! 💛
Thank you for being part of this journey.