Mina Martinez turns aerospace career into etiquette consulting

Mina Martinez, founder of Prestige Protocol in Torrance, California, is using more than three decades in aerospace and years of mentorship work to train professionals in etiquette, communication, and workplace confidence. Her programs have reached more than 12,000 people across multiple states as organizations look for stronger in-person and virtual connection.

Why it matters: - Martinez’s work targets a growing need in workplaces: stronger communication, better onboarding, and more respectful team culture. - Her training reaches corporations, universities, and community organizations that want practical help preparing new hires, interns, students, and emerging leaders. - Prestige Protocol also fills a gap created by the pandemic-era shift away from face-to-face interaction.

What happened: - Mina Martinez founded Prestige Protocol, a boutique etiquette and protocol consulting firm, as a sole proprietor in 2012 in Torrance, California. - Martinez built the business after a 34-year career in aerospace. - Martinez spent more than three decades at Hughes Aircraft Company and later Boeing, where she worked as an executive assistant and training coordinator supporting satellite communications and engineering personnel. - Influential Women recognized Martinez for her work and profile.

The details: - Martinez earned certification in 2009 as a Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant through the Protocol School of Washington. - Prestige Protocol offers customized programs in business etiquette, social etiquette, dining etiquette, communication, and relationship building. - Martinez created specialty training including “Etiquette for Engineers,” which blends technical industry knowledge with professional development. - Martinez’s bilingual English and Spanish skills help her deliver culturally responsive training. - Prestige Protocol has reached more than 12,000 people across multiple states. - Martinez has worked with universities, corporations, and community organizations. - Her partnerships have included initiatives at the University of Southern California, including Veterans Affairs programs, Gould School of Law students, and Latino scholar initiatives. - The West Angeles Community Development Corporation named Martinez Small Business of the Year. - Martinez is a Lifetime Member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. - Martinez volunteered for a decade as a career fair and outreach coordinator with The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.

Between the lines: - Martinez’s aerospace background shapes her pitch: etiquette is not just manners, but a workplace skill tied to trust, opportunity, and collaboration. - Her focus on Hispanic engineering students and bilingual delivery points to a broader effort to make professional development more culturally accessible. - Martinez says the decline in traditional etiquette and interpersonal connection after the pandemic makes virtual training more important. - Her story also underscores how mentorship and employer investment can change career paths; she credits former manager Mr. Rosales with advocating for three years to secure funding for her certification. - Martinez also says early lessons from a high school job at McDonald’s shaped her approach to respect and dignity in leadership.

What's next: - Martinez is expanding Prestige Protocol’s virtual programs to reach organizations and individuals who cannot access in-person training. - She plans to keep focusing on employee development, onboarding, and team collaboration as companies look for ways to build stronger workplace culture. - Martinez continues to emphasize professional development, authenticity, and continuous learning for young women entering male-dominated fields.

The bottom line: - Martinez has turned decades of corporate experience into a training business centered on culture, connection, and professional presence. - Her message is simple: etiquette can be a practical tool for advancing careers and strengthening organizations. - More information is available through Mina Martinez's Influential Women profile.