SAN DIEGO – Two twenty-something San Diego State College graduates are bringing a complete new enterprise to Southern California.
Cue Las Chicas Picnics, a brand new picnic enterprise owned by Yesenia Ortega and Andrea Lopez-Villafana.
“Any time one in every of my roommates would have a birthday – on a school finances – we might go to the Greenback Tree and simply enhance with streamers and all this enjoyable stuff,” Lopez-Villafana mentioned.
“We wish it to be significant,” Ortega mentioned. “We’re not simply placing a slap on it like, ‘Oh, we’re Latina.’ We’re like, ‘No, we’re about it. That is who we’re.’”
The 2 greatest associates met whereas attending SDSU. They quickly discovered that they had comparable pursuits and decided it would make sense to launch a picnic enterprise. However with no one of their households to supply correct recommendation, they weren’t certain the place to start.
“Yeah, it’s straightforward to purchase all these items and issues for the picnics, however do we now have to get some kind of license or how can we navigate that?” Lopez-Villafana mentioned. “How can we arrange a web site and the way a lot cash ought to we make investments? These sorts of conversations are actually scary.”
Beginning off, they noticed a frightening highway like every enterprise. The method started greater than a yr in the past, progressively constructing into one thing they may very well be pleased with – one thing that spotlights Mexican tradition and their very own preferences.
Sometimes, comparable companies provide the kind of fare discovered on charcuterie boards, however Las Chicas needs individuals to really feel extra at dwelling. They’re providing objects resembling pan dulce — a sort of Mexican candy bread — in addition to Jarritos soda and way more.
They lately determined to check the waters and tease the enterprise on social media to see the way it is likely to be obtained. Spoiler alert: It generated a ton of constructive suggestions.
“I’ve met so many great ladies,” mentioned Lopez-Villafana, who additionally works a full-time job as a journalist. “Folks I’ve interviewed however principally Latina ladies who simply determine I’m going to do that, I’m going to be a enterprise proprietor and I’m going to get this achieved and I don’t have numerous assist however in some way they do wonderful issues
“I feel for me, personally, seeing people like that, talking with them actually instructed me, I can do that. They will do it, I can do it.”
Not solely is Ortega a small enterprise proprietor, however she’s additionally a civil engineer – one other area the place Latinas typically usually are not nicely represented.
“Why am I on the lookout for individuals on the market? Let me be that individual,” Ortega mentioned. “That’s form of how I drew my empowerment, to simply be like, there’s nobody on the market – I’ll be the primary and I’ll begin doing it. Quite a lot of self-love and self-guiding to be the place I’m at right now.”
Ortega and Lopez-Villafana have two primary choices for purchasers: the country, a ranch-style of Mexico, or Viva, which tends to be a extra vibrant setup. They each embrace tables, pillows and blankets, but in addition can embrace add-ons resembling polaroid cameras and a tostilocos bar, amongst different choices.
Regardless of simply beginning out, they hope to broaden quickly.
“It’s simply wonderful seeing that assist and it seems like we’re doing on the appropriate path like we’re doing one thing individuals need,” Lopez-Villafana mentioned.
Reserving opened up Sept. 15, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. They’re open to prospects in San Diego, Chula Vista, Nationwide Metropolis and elsewhere within the South Bay. Future growth plans might span North County and past.
Extra data is offered on the duo’s Instagram web page: @LasChicasPicnics.
