We’re looking forward to introducing you to Omar Vargas . Check out our conversation below.
Omar , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes consist of waking up and immediately taking an anti-inflammatory tea while I sit outside and mediate and set my gratitude in my journal and layout what my day will look like. I like to do this everyday with no phone and sit with nature. It gives me permission to set my intention for the day. I like to take it day by day and not worry to much of the future. This helps me declutter my mind and gives a chance to get my day going. Immediately after that, I take my puppy on a nice walk and then hit the gym as this helps me with motivation, discipline, and getting my workout feeling good both inside and out.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Omar Vargas. I am the owner of Ana’s Fresh Fruits. I established my business in Los Angeles back in 2017. Fruit carts are a staple and culture of Los Angeles. However, I never would see an elevated fruit cart on the street to cater to a more affluent clientele. Therefore, I took it upon myself to invest in one, and make it more elevated and higher end. My background in Advertising/Marketing helped me with bringing my vision to life. I worked with a designer that I worked with at a previous advertising agency, and she helped me bring my idea to life. I named my business ‘Ana’s Fresh Fruits’ in honor of my mom. Her name is AnaMaria. Health and wellness was part of growing up, as she cooked fresh food every single day. We as a family were very active and health conscious, so I owe it to her to instill my current healthy habits.
I did additional research in learning the fruit business, going to several fruit carts around Los Angeles to see them how they cut the fruit, pick the fruit, etc. I was able to invest in my first fruit cart. I posted a render of the cart on my IG page (cart was even produced yet) and that’s when I receive a DM from Hilton Hotels wanting to hire us, as they had a VIP event for their commercial clients and they were looking for a ‘higher end’ fruit cart. That’s when it all began, we had a successful event, and my business took off from there. That one event helped me see that I was onto something, so that motivated me to go after big brands and introduce our services. Additionally, with my previous connections I made throughout my career, I started to send my information to everyone I knew. I would also go door to door and drop off our fruit bowls so they can see how fresh and tasty they were. That led me to get clients like Equinox Gyms, Netflix, CBS Studios, NBC, Gatorade, Coachella, Buchanan’s Whiskey, Paramount Pictures, and amongst other brands. I started to work with event planners, marketing agencies, production houses, and that propelled me to grow my business even further.
Unfortunately, 2020 happened and my business took a huge hit, as my business model was solely on private events and catering. I decided to move to Miami and expand my business as at that time, Miami/Florida was a bit more “open” than CA and other states. I did the same thing and started to get my business known, but I realized that Miami didn’t really “get it” they saw it more as just a ‘fruit bowl’ and the culture didn’t really understand Tajin and Chamoy. I did execute some nice events with Faena Hotel, SLS Hotels, iii Points festival, but nothing like my client roster in Los Angeles.
As things started to become more ‘normal’ and ‘open’ my previous clients started to call me again, and I started to get busy again, and this time I started to get more business from referrals which made me happy to see that my clients were happy with our services and what we had to offer.
Fast forward to present day, my business is thriving again, and my only goal and focus is to grow it, as I know I have something very unique and special with my business. Therefore, I decided to move back to Los Angeles, and thus far this year in 2025, I’ve already activated 10 events and looking forward to many more before the year ends.
What’s cooking for Ana’s Fresh Fruits, I’m currently exploring in introducing the first ever, ‘Agua’s Fresca’s Infused Shots’ powered by Ana’s Fresh Fruits. Taking the traditional Aguas Frescas concept but putting a kick into it by adding ginger, turmeric, Cheyenne pepper, and other healthy ingredients into it. Using the fruits that I offer into my fruit bowls but giving consumers a touch of that added health benefits into juices. I’m working on having 4 flavors that represent Mangos, Watermelon, Pineapples, and Cucumbers.
I’m excited to see where my business goes. I have to pay attention to the signs God/Universe is giving me to continue to grow it and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I have to say my mother. My mother being a single mother raising my brother and I. I learned and continue to learn her hard work ethic. Even now, my mother at 78 still works (more as a hobby) by selling her famous Salteña’s (Bolivian version of chicken and beef empanadas). Ever since I can remember, she has always worked to give us a better opportunity. She at times had 3 jobs working day and night. She hustled and continues to do so. I get it from her. One thing she always said to us, “if you are going to do a job, whatever it is, do it right and do with passion, because the money will come”. I started to work at the age of 15 working odd jobs, babysitting, valet parking, server, host, construction, you name it… I never said no, and always looked at the opportunities in which the jobs could take me. I have a hard work ethic, and I’m not beneath anything. Luckily, I was able to get my education and pursue my Marketing/Advertising career in which I came to be very successful. I’ve been fortunate to work for major global brands which led me to work and execute newsworthy advertising campaigns. Just to name one of many, I had the opportunity to work with Ozzy Osborne (RIP) in a Samsung commercial, where we introduced the first QWERTY phone, the Samsung Propel, this was when texting was just at it’s beginning stages.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be to trust and love yourself whole heartedly. Now as an adult have experienced a bit of life, I realize that one has the power to accomplish anything you want as long as you trust and love yourself. It’s critical to have that. I wish when I was younger, I could have trusted and loved myself a little more. I know I have what it takes to make anything happen, gosh, I’m doing it right now, because more than ever, I am trusting and loving myself. The more I do that, the more things align to the things that are meant for me to do. It’s a beautiful feeling that’s for sure.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of myself is the real me, 100%. I’m a scorpion, so I tell it how it is, always have, and I think I’ll always will. I am extremely blunt to a fault at times, I like realness, transparency, and being honest. A lot of people don’t like that, they can’t handle it. I’d rather people tell me up front their feelings, that way it will allow me to understand them, and accept them. The more they hide, the more I also feel it, and it’s a turn off. I am who I am, now what I am working on is my delivery. At times, I tend to be too harsh or too direct, but I’d rather be like this vs. pretending. I can’t do that, I tried, and it goes against who I am. I’m real behind closed doors and in public. I love who I am. The more work I do on myself, the more I realize that I”m on the right path. I am grateful for that.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Going after what my heart and gut desired. I realize now, that we all have that internal voice which tells us already what is good and what is bad. Often times, we don’t pay attention to it. The last several years, more than ever, I’ve been paying attention to my internal voice and has allowed me to be in sync to where I am today. The more I pay attention to it, the more it aligns to what I’m supposed to be doing. Life is short, so I don’t want regret anything, and thus far, I have not regrets. I will continue to keep going and listening to my gut.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Anasfreshfruits / @obv01
