Today we’d like to introduce you to Madai Lazo.
Hi Madai, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been built through sacrifice, resilience, faith, and determination. I came to the United States with big dreams and the desire to create a better future for my family. Like many immigrants and entrepreneurs, the beginning was not easy. There were moments of uncertainty, financial struggles, long hours, and many sacrifices behind the scenes that people never see.
I am a Latina entrepreneur, wife, mother, business owner, community leader, Miss International Grand Latina 2021, and Coca-Cola Ambassador 2026. But beyond the titles and accomplishments, I am also a survivor. Overcoming domestic abuse became one of the most painful but transformative chapters of my life. It taught me strength, self-worth, resilience, and the importance of never giving up on myself, even during the darkest moments.
One of my greatest blessings and motivations is my son — an amazing, intelligent, and incredible young man who will graduate from WFHS this May. Watching him grow into the person he is becoming reminds me why every sacrifice has been worth it. He is one of the biggest reasons I continue fighting for a better future every single day.
My entire family lives in Mexico, and being far away from them has been one of the hardest emotional challenges of my journey. However, my mother’s resilience, strength, and unconditional love have always inspired me. Her example taught me how to continue moving forward with dignity, courage, and faith, even when life becomes difficult.
Over the years, I worked hard to build opportunities through the restaurant industry. I became Founder & co-owner of Patron Mexican Grill and later founded Katrina’s Mexican Grill during one of the most difficult periods for businesses — the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, I remained focused on growth, consistency, and serving my community.
For me, business has never been only about food. It has been about creating jobs, supporting families, giving back to the community, and building a place where people feel welcomed like family. Through catering, community events, fundraising efforts, and partnerships with local organizations, I’ve learned that leadership is truly about service.
Today, I continue focusing on growing my businesses, expanding our catering services, and developing our mobile food concepts through Katrina’s Mexican Cuisine Food Truck & Mobile Kitchen. My vision is to continue creating opportunities not only for myself, but for others around me while inspiring women and future entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams despite adversity.
My story is still being written, but one thing I have learned is that success does not happen overnight. It is built through persistence, discipline, faith, and the courage to continue even when things become difficult.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
y journey has not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs and immigrants, I have faced emotional, financial, and personal challenges that tested my strength and resilience.
One of the most difficult obstacles I experienced was surviving domestic abuse. That chapter of my life taught me the importance of self-worth, courage, and rebuilding myself even when everything felt uncertain. At the same time, being far away from my family in Mexico has been emotionally difficult, especially during important moments in life when all you want is the support and presence of loved ones.
Another major challenge was building and growing businesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant industry faced uncertainty, financial pressure, staffing shortages, rising costs, and constant changes. There were moments when the sacrifices felt overwhelming, but giving up was never an option.
As a mother, entrepreneur, and leader, balancing family, business responsibilities, and personal growth has also been challenging. However, my son has been one of my greatest motivations to continue moving forward and creating a better future.
Through every obstacle, I learned that challenges do not define us — how we respond to them does. Every difficult moment helped shape the woman, leader, and entrepreneur I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
am the founder of Katrina’s Mexican Grill, a restaurant and catering brand built on family, culture, community, and authentic hospitality. Our business specializes in Mexican cuisine, catering services, corporate events, private celebrations, and community-centered experiences. We are also expanding our brand through Katrina’s Mexican Cuisine Food Truck & Mobile Kitchen to continue bringing our food and services to larger events and communities.
What sets our business apart is that we focus not only on food, but also on people and relationships. We believe in creating an environment where guests feel welcomed like family while experiencing authentic flavors, quality service, and meaningful hospitality.
One of the things I am most proud of is our involvement within the community. Through fundraising events, collaborations, and partnerships with organizations and companies such as Coca-Cola, we continue supporting local initiatives and giving back to families and individuals in need. Community involvement has always been one of the most important parts of our mission and brand identity.
As a Latina entrepreneur, I also take pride in representing women in business and showing others that with resilience, discipline, and faith, it is possible to overcome obstacles and continue building opportunities for future generations.
I want readers to know that Katrina’s is more than a restaurant. It represents culture, resilience, service, family values, and the belief that businesses can create positive impact within their communities.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support and collaborate with us in many different ways — through community partnerships, fundraising events, corporate collaborations, catering opportunities, local initiatives, and by simply continuing to support small businesses within the community.
At Katrina’s Mexican Grill, we are always open to building meaningful relationships with organizations, schools, local businesses, nonprofits, and companies that share the same passion for community involvement and positive impact. We believe collaboration creates stronger communities and greater opportunities for everyone.
Our business proudly participates in fundraising efforts, community events, sponsorships, and partnerships that help support families and individuals in need. Through collaborations with organizations and companies such as Coca-Cola and other local community leaders, we continue creating experiences that go beyond food and hospitality.
People can also support us by booking our catering services, collaborating on events, sharing our story, supporting local entrepreneurship, and helping us continue growing Katrina’s Mexican Cuisine Food Truck & Mobile Kitchen as we expand our services throughout the community.
Above all, I hope people see our brand as a business built on resilience, service, culture, and giving back.
Contact Info:
- Website: Patronsav.com / katrinasmexicangrill.com
