Today we’d like to introduce you to Susana Rodriguez.
Hi Susana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I arrived to the United States twenty years ago, I became a housekeeper, but never gave up on my dream of one day sharing my cuisine with many people. What began with a far away dream of owning a restaurant has turned into a reality of catering my Mexican cuisine for life’s special moments such as weddings, quinceaneras, y mas.
During the pandemic, I decided to take a big risk: to start cooking for others. What began with advertising on local Facebook Group, Covina Buzz, turned into cooking caldos for people who were recovering from COVID. I met many people through my meal delivery and had scheduled bi-weekly drop-offs to individuals and local businesses. Within a matter of time, my clients began asking me to cater their events and after some hesitation, I finally risked it.
My idea for catering was to showcase traditional Mexican food (guisados). I wanted Mexican culture reflected on my business, and I did so by offering guisados, serving in casuelas adorned by zarapes and flowers.
I am proud that I can now offer employment to other mothers like myself, most who already have one job but are looking for more ways to support their families.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely challenging to begin entrepreneurship, you know why? Because unfortunately, we doubt ourselves at the beginning and we wonder what others will say about us. So when I started this journey, I had to leave all my worries and overthinking aside and not care about what others said about me. We started this journey during the pandemic and started by selling individual plates. My four daughters, son and husband always supported me and helped with deliveries. During this time, I was a housekeeper and cooked on my days off, exposing myself and my family. This paid off when people who purchased my caldos de res and caldos de pollo texted me saying they felt a lot better and that my cooking reminded them of their loved one’s cooking. I knew I was doing things right when more and more people started reaching out to me to express their gratitude. Luckily, as the pandemic came to an end, people started planning parties and they started asking me to cater their parties, to me, this was so much more than a monetary payment, it makes me incredibly happy to do what I have always loved.
We’ve been impressed with Salsas, Mole, y Mas, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I just want everyone to know that Salsas, Mole y Mas has been a venture I have always wanted and dreamed of starting, and I am so glad it is now a reality. Knowing that people enjoy my food and appreciate my culture has always been something I have always illusioned. I always knew I cooked delicious food as my family members always told me so, but now more people of many nationalities have had the opportunity to try my food and they love it. Hearing people appreciate my food is so rewarding and always leaves me with a big smile on my face. I enjoy having clients with excellent taste buds and who are connoisseurs of Mexican food, so I can continue to grow and push myself to be a better chef.
Any big plans?
Yes, I have big plans to grow my business since I want to be able to provide full-time employment and be able to hire more people. Since my business is composed of my four daughters and six other female part-time employees, I want to be able to hire more women so that they can get a full-time job that pays them fairly. I see my business growing and expanding so that my food and Mexican culture can reach many people who select us as their catering for special occasions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@salsasmoleymas
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salsasmoleymas/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salsamoleymas/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@salsasmoleymas
