I was born in Mexico. My family is lower media class, but I was very lucky to be able to study, which I loved. I got scholarships to go to good schools including a business focused University and I obtained a masters degree in Finance.
I was always top of my class but I also had to work from very early stage in my life to support my family. At the age of eight, I started my own “business” to make money. I started to knock on neighbours houses and offer to take their rubbish to the dump in exchange for a tip. I quickly discovered that what a lot people consider to be rubbish, and throw away, can be resold; newspapers to the paper factory, glass bottles to a lamp maker in town, etc. Back then, I was selling rubbish, now it has a more glamorous name of “recycling”. All the things I thought had value, I started to clean and accumulated. Soon I asked the other kids from my little “gang” if they wanted to help me in exchange for free candies, ice cream and sometime even money! It was fun! I also manage to get hold of an old big box with wheels which made my job a lot easier.
After a year, I went to the local market asking to “rent” a space so I could sell second hand magazines and books, (this eventually turn in to jewllery, clothes, cookies, candies… anything!). The manager of the market gave me the space for free, due my age, and for about seven years, this was my source of income. I made the equivalent to three teachers salaries!
I was also very lucky to find loads of lovely people in the market that gave me groceries in exchange for my products, so I would get back home to give my mother not just money for the food shopping as well. I opened my first restaurant in London in 2004, which specialised in authentic Mexican food, because I had the contacts and I spotted the necessity of it. After 5 years of running 4 restaurants, along with having two children, I wanted to change to another business that wouldn’t incur such unsociable hours, which lead me to buy mexgrocer.co.uk.
From the outset I had the goal of becoming the first Mexican supermarket on line in the UK. My great-grandmother Conchita De la Rocha has been the most influential person in my life; she was Spanish and was sent to Mexico in 1919 due bad situation at home. She was only 14 years old and she became a successful business woman, but also a very charitable person who would help anybody that crossed her path.
My great-grandmother had many setbacks in her life, but it never stopped her smiling, she was an example of virtue, strength and compassion. She encouraged me to fight for I want in life, but always to consider others.
I feel very proud of my culture and cuisine; this business has brought me closer to the Mexican community. I like where I am and where my business is heading, but patience is not one of my virtues, I just want everything to happen quicker. 2009 was a bad year for me financially and personally. But you have to see obstacles as opportunity. I started Mexgrocer when some people thought it would be a huge risk; some even described it as a “penny business”. I felt that the financial crisis in the country would stop people going out as much and perhaps people would like to cook more at home. I think British people are the most open minded of all the people I've met, open to embrace other cultures and taste different things. I
have a theory that their tolerance come from a society that travels a lot. My fear of failure keeps me driven; I’ve been my own boss nearly all my life, I am unemployable, I wouldn’t know where to start looking for a job. Failing is just not an option.
It makes me happy when someone says things like, “Thank you for bringing Mexican food to Europe, you saved my marriage!”, or, “I didn’t know there was so many vegetarian options in Mexican food” It makes me unhappy when I come across people without ethical principles.
The Living person I most admire is Darren Taylor, he is my partner in life, but also a very successful business man. I admire him because of his understanding of business, integrity, compassion and consideration to others; he has supported me and continues to inspire me.
The song I'd like sung in my funeral is “Gracias a la vida”, “Thank you to life” lyric by Violeta Parra But before that I want to become the supplier of the suppliers for mexican food, pretty much act as a bridge between Mexico and Europe.
