Our Story
éxito & co. was born out of a movement and evolution within the advocacy field.
When traditional advocacy work became uninspiring and monotonous, éxito founder, Daiquiri Ryan Mercado, set out to learn how to connect the federal policy work she had been doing in a D.C. office to the exciting, innovative work that was happening on the ground across the country.
(no, literally–she quit her lawyer job and set out on this mission!)
For five years, Daiquiri hit the pavement, working and learning alongside incredible local leaders, advocates, activists, organizers, and funders. Infusing the power and spirit of the grassroots into policy and advocacy campaigns proved successful.
But even after building a seven-figure business and extensive team, something felt out of alignment.
After a pandemic, two difficult election cycles, and an insurrection, advocacy work became difficult for the change-makers our team was working with on the ground. Organizations weren’t just looking for the creative and storytelling approach we could offer, they also wanted intentional and long-term advocacy strategy work, too.
In selling her former venture, Daiquiri created éxito & co. to help make advocacy easier. Joined now by talented leaders she met along the way, Daiquiri designed éxito to be a one-stop-shop for folks looking to breathe strategy, community, culture, and creativity back into their advocacy campaigns and policy priorities.
Advocacy
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Engagement
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Equity
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Visibility
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Advocacy • Engagement • Equity • Visibility •
Our Name
When éxito & co. founder, Daiquiri Ryan Mercado, was a student at George Washington University School of Law, she had an incredible professor, Alberto Benitez. In her years of schooling, Professor Benitez was only one of two Latino/e professors Daiquiri had the privilege of learning from. Before an exam, Profe Benitez would tell our class, “no suerte, éxito.” (translation: no luck, success)
This phrase stuck with Daiquiri throughout her career. When reflecting on a name for this new venture, our team wanted something that represented the strength it took for us (and so many other Latina entrepreneurs and lawyers) to get to where we are today.
Thus, éxito & co. was born.
