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Meet Dulce Gonzalez of Lupita’s Tacos in El Monte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dulce Gonzalez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Dulce. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was younger fresh out of high school, I worked at a McDonald’s because I was looking for a part-time job to help my parents supplement my college expenses. Next, I went to work to another local restaurant (Flames X-press) where after working for some time, I realized that I really enjoyed helping and serving people. I believe thats where my entrepreneurship dream began. I remember coming home and telling my mom about my idea of starting a food catering company. We started researching what we needed to accomplish my goal, and later bought our first grill. Most of my first clients came by word of mouth, friends of friends of friends, soon I open my social media and begun to spread my wings; before I knew it my schedule began to fill up. In addition, another tool that I use to expand my business was to participate in local pop-ups. Building a clientele from zero is not easy however my clients are like family to me therefore they have shared the Lupita’s Tacos experience with their friends and family, which has contributed to my growth, and for which I am very grateful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Two of my biggest struggles when starting my business: One gaining my product suppler’s trust. When I began purchasing product from my supplier, I was purchasing small amounts because I did not have a large volume, prices where very steep and the revenue was not there yet. As time went by, I continued to grow my business and my suppler realized that I was buying larger product quantities he noticed I was a serious business, which lead him to adjust him prices. Second struggle was growing my business starting from zero. It’s not easy building up a cliental, however, if you provide real value and you go above and beyond while well servicing your clients and follow up, they become family. I went through several sleepless nights strategizing on how to connect with more people and how to enhance my social media presence. I also networked through local pop-ups where I met many other entrepreneurs thriving for a similar goal and we began to help each other and promote each other’s business.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lupita’s Tacos – what should we know?
Lupita’s Tacos is a catering business that provides food services to a verity of clients which includes, law offices, corporate office facilities, holiday events, birthday party’s, weddings, and more. We specialize in potato tacos, beer batter fish tacos, low carb tacos, keto tacos, jalapeño poppers. Lupitas is well known for its homelike flavor and its unbeatable customer service experience. I am proud of the reputation we have earn within the community. We have gotten excellent, positive feedback from our costumers. Our homelike recipe sets us apart from others and our specialty tacos and excellent customer service.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family has been by my side since I started. My mom helps with making the shopping list, making the salsa bar and cooking. (Lilian Argueta) My Papa helps me put my thoughts together when I am writing my follow up questions and social media. (Erik Argueta) My husband is our chef, he goes with me every time I have an event; he is the one that does the main cooking, loading, and unloading. (Christopher Gonzalez) My mother in law helps me when I have more than one event. (Mary Cotta) The name of “Lupitas Tacos” comes from my grandmother Lupita. In her honor we named her business. Without them, Lupitas Tacos would not run smoothly.

Contact Info:

  • Phone: 626-533-9641
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Instagram: @lupitas_tacos18
  • Facebook: Lupitas Tacos

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