Today we’d like to introduce you to Ismael Venegas.
Ismael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in and raised in South Los Angeles. My parents are immigrants from Mexico who became legal residents through the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 — my mother became a U.S. Citizen in the mid-1990s. It’s important for me to mention this because I attribute my professional achievements to my parents’ hard work and vision for a better life. Given the current anti-immigrant climate, it’s important for people like me to speak up and highlight that the impact of the contributions of immigrants to the well-being of the United States is multi-generational.
While growing up in South Los Angeles–and raised by working-class immigrant parents–I witnessed and experienced many injustices and at an early age became fascinated by social and political activism; while in high school I became involved in a local youth activist group that successfully advocated for fair distribution of a city bond for school repairs.
Through this experience, I received in community grassroots organizing training that gave me a framework in which to view and shape the world around me. After high school, I attended the University of Southern California where I majored in Political Science and International Relations while actively participating in student activism and volunteer work.
After college I pursued a career in non-profit work and held different jobs that exposed me to various levels of community development — jobs that I have held include roles in a micro-finance fund, as foreclosure counselor during the great recession, and prior to founding Pocho Pops, I worked in the public affairs department of a major public health foundation that approached grantmaking through a health equity lens.
However, despite the wonderful work I had the privilege to engage in, I have an urge to be an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. So in 2016, I quit my job and started Pocho Pops. I mention my background as the son of immigrants and activist background because these experiences are interwoven into my vision for Pocho Pops. As the son of immigrants, I saw paletas as a way to connect to my Mexican heritage while at the same time explore the influence that the California experience has had on me.
Paleteros (ice pop artisans) have traditionally adapted their flavors and recipes to what is available to them, and I felt that this tradition could provide creative leeway to explore the many flavors of the many foods of the many diverse cultures of Los Angeles and California. I also saw entrepreneurship as a way creative outlet to promote the economic viability of communities like South Los Angeles.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth. There have been many adjustments to strategy and the biggest lesson learned is that no matter how much you plan there are always struggles that you cannot anticipate. For instance, navigating the county and state licensing systems has been a challenge, deals fall through, and when you think you have everything figured out your equipment starts malfunctioning because your commercial kitchen doesn’t have A/C and installing an A/C system it is way out of budget.
I had to let go of my kitchen assistant in the middle of summer and work 16 hour days to make and sell paletas. Also being a small manufacturer is challenging because you can’t purchase your supplies in large quantities. However, I’ve been lucky to find awesome people that have provided support and mentoring along the way. Moreover, I’ve learned starting a business is not the cut-throat experience that most people expect to encounter.
There is a lot of collaboration, and experienced entrepreneurs are open to providing advice and even introduce you to their vendors and suppliers.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Pocho Pops – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Founded in 2017, Pocho Pops was created to provide consumers with artisan quality frozen confections at fair prices. Our paletas taste great because we choose the best ingredients available and leave out artificial flavoring and coloring, and they are also preservative and stabilizer free.
Quality and affordability are our priorities, and we believe that good food–including sweets and desserts–should and can be affordable.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I love the diversity of Los Angeles. Growing up in this great city has exposed me to cultures from all over the world and this city is a place where culture (arts, food, etc.,) is constantly evolving.
What I like least about the city is the social and economic inequity.
Contact Info:
- Address: 242 N. Avenue 25, Unit 267 Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Website: www.pochopops.com
- Phone: (323) 229-1287
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pochopops/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pochopops1/
Image Credit:
@tacorice (https://www.instagram.com/tacosrice/)
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