Hello All! I am Mariana, and it's a pleasure to be here, talking about my professional journey and my passion for connecting people through different channels!
For the last 12+ years, my career has lived at the intersection of community, sales, recruiting, and marketing. I’ve worked in corporate environments, global SaaS ecosystems, and tech communities across regions, traveling, hosting in-person and virtual events, building relationships, and connecting people to opportunities. It was fast-paced, intense, and deeply fulfilling.
As a Venezuelan, I have had difficulty finding new opportunities to develop my professional career due to the complex challenges our country faces. Special gratitude to Argentina, the US, and Mexico for helping me get to where I am today, and for the wonderful corporate roles I have had, too!
But as life evolves, so do priorities. And this year, I embraced that change. Vonnect was built to support partners through a variety of different services!
In 2025, I founded Vonnect with a clear belief: growth happens when people come first.
Vonnect was created to support SaaS and tech companies through a mix of skills that are often treated separately, but work best together:
Starting a services company came with tough decisions: where to begin, what problems to solve first, how to structure the business, and how to navigate legal and financial foundations. It wasn’t the easiest path, but it was the right one. We started supporting only LATAM companies, but we have now expanded to other regions.
And yes, it was 100% worth it.
This year, I stepped into my role as a Community Consultant, partnering with a SaaS company to build and scale a global community from the ground up. Beyond strategy, I supported internal teams with logistics, execution, and long-term planning.
Coming in as an external consultant meant learning how to lead without authority, earn trust, and adapt quickly to different working styles. And it paid off. That challenge became one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
The results spoke for themselves:
Reviewing a testimonial from one of the Board members of the companies added significant value to the services we are offering:
#Bangalore — what a way to close out the year! Looking back on 2025, one of the things I’m most proud of is how the Lakehouse, Lagers & Legends community has taken shape. What started as a simple idea has transformed into a movement: a space where people show up not just to learn, but to contribute, challenge, and elevate one another.- Vijay Rao, Board at V4C
As a team, we have seen people get certified, learn about the platform, and say that attending the community events has enriched their knowledge. We were also lucky enough to listen to a VP of technology present in Dallas for a live audience.
Why community matters? It's a question I have seen in multiple places where people talk about this subject, which has recently become more critical. Community is a place where people connect with others who share similar interests, learn new things, and have a safe space to ask questions about a product, which helps companies pursue indirect sales and reach out to future leads or talent for their projects.
If you have an idea to build a community, reach out to help you reach your goals!
Alongside community work, I continued to support SaaS companies with IT recruiting, helping them find technical talent for projects and long-term roles, especially within the MuleSoft and Salesforce ecosystems. Again, the key wasn’t just sourcing profiles, but understanding people, teams, and timing.
Talking deeply about these services is something I enjoy, as, at the end of the day, recruiting is about connecting specific talent and professionals with companies that need to fill a position for an immediate project or a variety of solutions.
Vonnect has helped multiple companies implement this solution, and seeing people happy with their new opportunities is a great feeling.
I am happy to support your journey with skilled professionals!
Marketing is not a cost, it’s a long-term investment in credibility
The partner support doesn't end with recruiting. Working in branding consultancy and marketing support to help new brands grow in the corporate world. It can be easy for entrepreneurs to focus solely on their products or finding clients, but having a strong corporate image and branding on social platforms like LinkedIn is an indirect way to earn the trust of future clients. I encourage companies to take the time to invest in marketing, as it will eventually pay off in terms of the time and money invested.
If you are thinking about whether this is a good idea, please ask yourself the following:
- Your company/freelance goals for next years
- Number of new clients/ projects for the next months
- Target region you want to reach
- Online presence
Based on that, you could know whether this type of service is something you need to consider or if you are aligned!
One of the highlights of this journey was joining the organizing committee of Mexico Dreamin’, the first Salesforce Trailblazer community conference in Mexico City. The event exceeded all expectations, bringing together attendees from Mexico, the U.S., Argentina, and Colombia.
It was a powerful reminder of what happens when community is built with intention: people show up, share knowledge, and lift each other.
If you have an idea for a volunteer community event, let me know! I'm happy to support!
Big thank you to all the clients who trusted in our experience to support your success!
At this point, my path is clear! And I’m just getting started.
I believe in:
MentorCruise is a natural extension of that mission. It’s a space where I can support founders, community leaders, recruiters, and SaaS operators who want to grow sustainably, without losing the human side of their business.
If you’re looking for a consultant who understands that growth starts with people, I’d love to connect.
Happy holidays, and let’s continue growing together in 2026.
—Mariana LemusFounder, Vonnect
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