Let's Taco About Us...
Taco Quest started in 2017 as a 50 state taco quest to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. However we knew there was more to do & definitely more tacos to eat so we evolved into an eCommerce social venture that gives a portion of our profits to mental health and suicide prevention causes around the world by selling taco & quest inspired merch. Oh and we still eat A LOT of tacos. So... #letstacoaboutit.
BUT WHAT DO TACOS HAVE TO DO WITH MENTAL HEALTH?!
We can't argue with the uplifting effects that tacos have, but it was actually the play on words of "let's taco about it" that really inspired us. Each of us either have lost people to suicide and/or have dealt with our own mental health challenges. We know how heavy and serious the topic is. BUT if we continue to talk about it in hushed tones and under veils of secrecy, it will remain taboo; and people won't get the help they need.
You know what else is serious cancer, but that hasn't stopped Save the Tata's and Movember from using humor to raise awareness and millions of dollars for their causes. At Taco Quest, we believe that by adding levity and authenticity people will start talking more openly and honestly about suicide and mental health.
OKAY BUT WHAT THE HELL IS A "QUEST"?!
It could be a search for The Holy Grail, visiting 193 countries, learning a new language, running a marathon, or drinking just one glass vs one bottle of wine. You define your quest. What's epic for you? How are you growing and striving. What inspires you? For our founder, it was a Buzzfeed article. Yes that's right a Buzzfeed article.
THE TACO QUEST ORGIN
It was the weekend before what would have been her best friend's 31st birthday; but 13 months prior, E had died by suicide. Soon after the death, Michele quit her corporate job and began working with E's family to start a foundation to honor her friend's legacy and raise mental health awareness. They had been successful in getting the Canadian foundation established and plans were in the works to launch an international suicide prevention charity starting in the US in 2017.
However that weekend, Michele wasn't thinking about launch plans or mental health awareness. Instead she was avoiding her own mental health struggles. She missed her friend. She wondered when the depression would lift, and when she would have the strength to get out of bed. Would she be broken forever? Then while aimlessly scrolling through her phone she came across the infamous Buzzfeed article Taco Dirty To Me that listed the top taco spots by state.
Michele immediately jumped out of bed and started thinking on the "Let's Taco About It" campaign. Both she and E loved travel and adventure. They also loved a good street taco, as it was one of the few comfort foods that were gluten free. The original plan was to use it as the 2017 launch campaign for Expand The Conversation US non-profit, but when the family decided they didn't want to expand work beyond Canada, Michele and they parted ways.
With the renewed purpose from the Let's Taco About It campaign, Michele decided to delay her return to the corporate grind and instead spent 2017 on 50 state taco quest to raise awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It was a hap hazard journey via plane, train, automobile, boat, bus, motorcycle, & bicycle. Bouncing between Airbnbs to friend's coaches to family spare bedrooms and eventually ending with her moving to Malaysia in 2018 to rejoin the corporate world. Because if there's one thing she learned, you never know where this crazy journey called life is going to take you.
So that's a bit about Taco Quest...reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram and tell us about you. What's your favorite taco spot? What's something you overcame? What quests do you have planned for the future?