Her daughter’s room, it was where Mercedes Córdova created MC Comunicaciones, a company that grew into to make company communication that currently brings together different lines of business. With 14 years behind her as an entrepreneur, Córdova talks about her challenges and strengths, and reveals her other passion for which she finds time in the busy world of organizational communication.

What were your first steps in the business world like?

I studied social communications at the Central University of Ecuador. Before finishing my studies, I quickly entered the media. After leaving the media, I got involved in organizational communication. I started giving communication advice in a personal capacity and without planning it, I started receiving invitations from international companies to hire my services.

So I decided to call him and come up with an organizational structure to do my job. Today, MC Grupa directly provides employment opportunities for nearly 30 employees, and indirectly supports 30 families.

When was MC Comunicaciones born?

In 2009, it was created in the room of one of my daughters, in my house. In a short time, this space became a study. This improvised study room was the one that received my first collaborators. During the first five years, we received offers from a large number of large companies in the country. We managed to have our own offices, and in 2014 we received the first national Eloy Alfaro award for our service offering.

Vita Alimentos opened its doors 63 years ago to supply Quito with quality milk, and today it conquers the market with mochacha and cappuccino

How did MC Comunicaciones become MC Group?

MC Comunicaciones was born with the field of Public Relations, but the services of BTL and Digital Department came to life thanks to the fact that some of our clients wanted these services to be channeled from the agency. For several years now, we have covered the needs of our clients with external providers in these areas. After identifying this need, we created our own units. Nominis is a sister agency and parallel to MC Comunicaciones. It started working in 2020, thanks to the need of senior managers, who were our clients, but decided to start their own ventures.

What does Nominis focus on?

Accompanied by our strategic allies in all phases and with more affordable service costs, for those who bet on new lines of business. Currently, Nominis has its own management, independence, structure and team. The birth of Nominis created the need to create in the company a to make company a body corporate grouping two agencies. MC Group is currently managed by myself and the senior management team.

Did you have other projects before establishing the agency?

Yes, there were a few. The most representative idea is that at one point I wanted to create my own brand and clothing store. Few people know that I am also studying fashion design and that in the struggle with time I sometimes find spaces to create my own models and designs for my daughters.

Although it was one of my wishes, I do not rule out the possibility that at some point I can continue the project and start it.

She was recently a member of the Top 51 Women Entrepreneurs organized by WeConnect International. How did you figure out this difference?

With surprise and lots of emotions, no doubt. In March of this year, I received an e-mail inviting me to participate in WeConnect’s Top 51 selection and asking us to send a series of documents and information regarding the management of the company and its leadership. In June, I was notified that I had been selected as one of WeConnect International’s top 51 women from Central America, Guyana and Ecuador.

As a team, as I attribute this recognition to the hard work of all my associates, we believe that this is a challenge that challenges us to contribute and inspire more women to achieve their goals.

Ecuadorian businesswomen are the majority and stand out in the ‘top’ 51 Atlas of women-owned businesses

Is the world of public relations tough? Why?

Management of strategic communication of large companies requires constant updating of knowledge. In my case, I advise the presidents of multinational companies and a wrong or ineffective decision could cause them to make a mistake in the market in which they participate.

How did the company manage to overcome the period of the pandemic?

One day I wanted to stop reading the news that talked about the human losses the world was facing and how hundreds of companies went bankrupt. I knew I had to make tough and immediate decisions, so I decided to invest (when no one else was doing it) in rebranding company identity and we transfer security not only to our clients, but also to our associates. That certainly motivated them.

We are not firing any team member. We ended the pandemic by doubling our workforce. In addition, we expanded our offices and founded the MC Group.

What are the projects for MC Comunicaciones and for Mercedes Córdova personally?

Become a benchmark in the market. Get on the international stage with WorldCom (we are partners and representatives of the largest network of public relations agencies in Ecuador in the world). We also want to become an ambitious company as an employer brand and train industry leaders. In terms of social issues, we will soon graduate the first class of Amazonian women leaders, an MC Group initiative with which we intend to make visible indigenous women from different communities in the Amazon.

Like Mercedes Córdova, I am a member of the 30% club and a mentor of the social action Inspiring Girls. My goal is to contribute my knowledge to more women and vulnerable groups and, of course, to become a close example to my family and my daughters.