Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosaelena Robledo.
Hi Rosaelena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Funny story, I was pregnant during the pandemic and had a huge amount of craving for an açaí bowl. My favorite acai place had shut down permanently a little before the pandemic hit. I couldn’t find any acai places that compared to them so I decided to make my own. My husband is a big picky eater and my biggest critic (and biggest supporter may I add) so for him to actually say the acai bowls were delicious was huge for me. I realized a lot of my friends and family didn’t know what acai was so I would make batches and deliver to them. They would tag me on their profile and I became known through social media and word of mouth. As businesses began shutting down and many people were staying home, I started acai.holic and offered my delivery services. I’m still working on exposure and doing as many pop ups as I can. After a year, I’ve gotten my loyal customers as well as new. Very grateful for each one. I love to give back so I’ve decided to donate to a different cause at the end of the year. This year will be @yourbody_yourstory_org, a middle school friend of mine who started this organization to ease the financial burden of the invisible and chronic illness of her community. As I grow with my small business I add few things. Few months ago, I added my catering service. I think it will be something new and trendy to add acai bowls to your next event.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a small business like any other business has its challenges. Even until today their are obstacles. I think the constant thinking of it never being enough. I’m always up at night thinking what else could I add? Or should I take away? How can I make it better? Are my prices good enough? Am I branding this correctly? Again, how can I make it better? If an idea pops up, I add it to my notes for the future. A struggle for me in the beginning was because I wanted to be known people who were nonlocal would want to order and I would drive so far just to get my name out there but in the long run, it didn’t benefit because I would feel bad overcharging causing me to break even barely having enough to profit from. Something I definitely learned through all this is, you cannot feel bad. You have to be very assertive in business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I make acai bowls, I deliver locally. Whittier and surrounding areas in California. I do offer catering for events and prices vary local and nonlocal. What sets me apart from others are my handcrafted bowls that I offer. Rather than just offering bowls with the acai base, I handcraft them with other ingredients that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Acai bowls could be a new trend for events for guests to enjoy.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I never had a mentor. Networking with others while at pop-ups and just socializing and posting online is what has helped me get out there and make a name for myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/acai.holic?utm_medium=copy_link
