For MyEco Group's Chief Delivery Officer, Monica Mendez, breaking into the US market meant mastering complex regulations, shifting trade policies and new business cultures. Through the Global Victoria Women initiative, she's helping other women build the confidence and connections to do the same.
Monica is a C-suite executive at MyEco Group, a leading developer and manufacturer of sustainable packaging materials and end-user products.
MyEco Group (formerly known as SECOS Group), supplies proprietary biodegradable and certified compostable resins, high-quality films, packaging and end user products, along with innovative solutions incorporating post-consumer recycled materials, to a blue-chip global customer base.
A key contributor to MyEco’s US expansion
Under Monica’s leadership, MyEco Group has successfully entered and built a stable presence in the US market.
Monica guided the company from initial market entry to establishing a strong presence in the market. Along the way, Monica and her team navigated complex challenges, from tariffs and market uncertainty, to adapting to changing US Government trade policies.
Key milestones in this success story include mastering complex regulatory and certification frameworks, understanding tariff structures and landed costs, and building strong local partnerships based on trust. Equally important was Monica’s ability to adapt to the cultural and business differences in the US.
By learning to navigate decision making hierarchies, communication styles, and relationship-driven business practices, she ensured MyEco Group excelled in the market, all while maintaining the company’s authenticity and consistency in its approach.
Through her adaptability, cultural intelligence, and regulatory and commercial discipline, Monica has firmly established MyEco Group as a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
Global Victoria Women opens doors to connections, knowledge and inspiration
Monica was drawn to the Global Victoria Women (GVw) initiative because of its focus on addressing the practical cha
llenges faced by women in business expanding internationally. Through GVw, Monica has participated in various activations from being the keynote speaker at ‘Building connections with Latin America’ to hearing from US Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer.
Monica shared her own export journey and actively engages in the program’s networking opportunities to connect with women exporters, government representatives and industry leaders. These engagements created valuable spaces for knowledge exchange, opened doors to new opportunities and provided practical strategies for managing the complexities of international trade.
Monica’s experience with GVw has reinforced her belief in the success that women can and do drive globally while remaining true to their values.
Monica’s advice for export success
Monica’s export success was built on adaptability, learning to understand and influencing local behaviours. She built credibility over time by delivering results and adopting a determined approach.
Regulatory complexity, changing tariff regimes and ongoing shifts in global trade conditions have been the defining challenges of her export journey. Requirements can differ significantly between markets and change with little notice, impacting cost structures, timelines, and route-to-market decisions.
As a woman in international business, male-dominated industries added another layer of challenge. In some markets, the business culture, expectations, and dynamics differ markedly from the Australian business environment.
Monica’s advice to other exporters is simple but powerful: success in international markets requires not only technical competence but also cultural awareness.
Monica highlights assessing market risk as a critical strategy, alongside understanding compliance requirements with Australian regulations and target market laws. She encourages others to invest in understanding local business norms, seek trusted local advisors and remain confident in their expertise. Adaptability is essential but should never come at the expense of core values.