Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilio Alcorta.
Hi Emilio, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was in Mexico at the time when I was thinking of starting a business when I came up with the idea of making Mexican candy. So I bought a lot of candy from Mexico and some ingredients to experiment with once I got back home. I wanted to make sure what I created was authentic and original so I asked around my family for some tips as they really know the depths behind Mexican cuisine. My mom and I just started mixing Chilito powders together and chamoy until we got a satisfactory taste. The rest is history I wouldn’t have got this far without my mom’s support and my grandma’s secret tips. And also consistency really helped me get to where I am today, having late nights and early mornings was all worth the struggle as my business is expanding like I imagined.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I think In general starting a business is a struggle but for it to become a successful business in just a year has been the most challenging thing I’ve done in my life. Some say it’s bragging but I’m just as shocked as anyone else. Being in business for over a year and having accomplished so much I never knew I was capable of so much in so little time. With that being said I went through some struggles that had me question me continuing the business, but looking back it’s all a part of the experience. I had to really come out of my comfort zone which was probably to most challenging thing I had to do. And trying to run a business during covid, and still being a high school student, was definitely not easy. There were a few months when we started we had zero orders and we still had to pay off our website and supplies I needed. I cried many nights thinking my business was just another dumb idea, but deep down it has always been my dream to have my own business. So I never gave and continued to push and now El Chilito Loko had been all over the United States.
As you know, we’re big fans of El Chilito Loko. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
El Chilito Loko is a teen owned business that specializes in making the most authentic Mexican candy there is. We are known for our having the best gushers in Houston Texas and hopefully the untied states soon! I think What sets us apart from everyone else is probably the authentic taste we carry in our products as everything we use is from our hometown Sabinas Hidalgo NL Mexico and probably the fact a 16-year-old started the business. I’m very proud to say our products have been all over the United States in just a year, and having a successful business at such a young age. El Chilito Loko offers a large variety of authentic homemade Mexican candy, and classic Mexican snacks. Everything is prepared to ensure to get a taste of Mexico in each bite.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a pretty shy kid when it came to public but was a very loud and fun kid with my family. I always had a passion of selling, ever since I was in elementary school my mom would buy me full size candy and I’ll sell to the kids in my school, Not being able to talk to many since I was a shy kid I still managed to get there money. It was almost like I was too smart for my age in a way, as I charged 5$ a chocolate bar. It all continued to middle school when I was selling Mexican candy and chips there and now in high school having my own business. As you can say I’m “still growing up” I’m not really interested in many things a lot of people my age are interested in like video games and such I’m more interested in having a good future and my business looks like it will make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: ElChilitoLoko.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/el_chilito_loko?utm_medium=copy_link
