Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Cacheiro.
Hi Ray, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
During the pandemic in 2020, I was in my fourth year studying Food Science at the University of Havana. Classes had moved online, but in Cuba, access to reliable internet is extremely limited, which made it very difficult to keep up. I spent most of my time at home with my family, navigating not only the challenges of remote learning but also the realities of daily life—food shortages, limited resources, and frequent power outages.
Despite those challenges, that time became a turning point for me. Being surrounded by my family gave me strength, and I began looking for a creative outlet. I started cooking meals at home with whatever ingredients we had available and decided to share those recipes on social media. At first, it was simply a hobby—something that helped me break away from the monotony and uncertainty of that period. But over time, I realized that people were genuinely connecting with my content. That encouragement motivated me to keep going.
As life slowly returned to normal and I went back to university, my time became more limited, but I continued creating content whenever I could—visiting local cafés and restaurants, taking photos, and sharing my experiences. At that stage, I wasn’t making any money from it; I was simply driven by passion.
In 2022, I made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. The transition was not easy. When I arrived, I didn’t speak English, didn’t have a car, and depended heavily on my family for support. I enrolled in English classes at Lone Star College, where my stepmother would take me twice a week. Her support during that time was incredibly important and something I will always be grateful for.
As I worked to build a new life, I also had to start from the ground up professionally. My first job in the U.S. was at Subway, where I worked long hours for very low pay. I was there for only a weekend before quickly moving on to a position at Popeyes, where I worked for about six months. It was a demanding and often stressful job, like many in the service industry, and it gave me a deep appreciation for the people who continue to do that work every day.
After that, I worked at the airport as a passenger service agent, a role I genuinely enjoyed, even though it wasn’t highly paid. Eventually, I found an opportunity at Families Empowered, where I started in customer service. Over time, I have grown within the organization into a Partnerships Manager role, helping connect families with the best educational opportunities for their children. It’s meaningful work that has allowed me to grow as a leader and give back to my community.
At the same time, I faced the reality that it’s very difficult to find opportunities in my field as an immigrant starting from scratch. Because of that, I began using my social media not only as a creative outlet, but also as a way to stay connected to my professional background. I started sharing content about food safety, kitchen hygiene, and practical tips—allowing me to continue practicing what I studied while building value for my audience.
During my first year in the U.S., I had almost stopped creating content entirely, and my social media presence declined significantly. Everything began to shift again after I got married in January 2025. My husband has been incredibly supportive of everything I do, and with his encouragement, I slowly started creating content again—this time sharing the places we explored together, from restaurants to parks and local spots.
Then, at the beginning of 2026, I was unexpectedly contacted by a restaurant in Houston that was interested in collaborating with me. That opportunity completely changed my perspective. For the first time, I began to see content creation not just as a passion, but as something with real potential. Since then, I’ve started working with small brands and local restaurants, building partnerships and continuing to grow my platform.
It’s all still very new, but my journey—from cooking with limited resources in Cuba to rebuilding my life in the United States—has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying consistent, even when the path isn’t clear. Today, I continue to create content that reflects my experiences, my culture, and my love for food, while also using my platform to educate and empower others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has been full of challenges, especially during the transition from Cuba to the United States.
In Cuba, one of the biggest struggles was simply access, to stable internet, to ingredients, to basic resources. Trying to complete a university degree under those conditions while living through a pandemic was already difficult. But at the same time, that environment pushed me to become creative and resourceful, which later became a strength in my content.
Moving to the United States brought a completely different set of challenges. I had to start from zero. I didn’t speak English, didn’t have a car, and had to rely on others just to get to my English classes. Adapting to a new culture while being away from part of my family was emotionally difficult, and there were moments of isolation.
Professionally, it was also a humbling experience. Despite having a background in Food Science, I couldn’t immediately work in my field. I took on jobs in the service industry, long hours, physically demanding work, and low pay. Those experiences were tough, but they taught me discipline, patience, and gave me a deep respect for people working in those roles every day.
At the same time, I struggled with consistency in my content creation. When I first arrived in the U.S., I stopped posting almost completely, and I lost a significant portion of my audience. It was discouraging at the time, but it also forced me to reconnect with why I started in the first place.
Emotionally, one of the biggest challenges has been learning to believe in my own path, especially when it didn’t look like what I originally planned for myself. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace change and see every setback as part of the process.
Looking back, none of it was easy, but every challenge shaped who I am today. It made me more resilient, more adaptable, and more intentional about the work I do, both professionally and creatively.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently a Programs and Partnerships Manager at Families Empowered, where I help families connect with schools and access scholarships that can truly impact their children’s future. It’s a role that means a lot to me because I get to guide people through important decisions and be part of something bigger than myself.
At the same time, I’m a content creator on social media, where I’m known for my enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to try new things. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but resilience has been key for me. Even if only a few people watch my content, I value that connection deeply—because to me, it’s not just about numbers, it’s about impact.
One of the things I’m most proud of is learning English. It’s not perfect, but reaching a level where I can confidently communicate, create content, and connect with others has been essential to where I am today. It opened doors for me both professionally and personally.
What sets me apart is my mindset and the intention behind what I do. I don’t create content just for money—I do it because I genuinely enjoy it and because I want to create something meaningful. I want my work to feel authentic and fun, not just transactional.
I also truly care about supporting others, especially small businesses. I know how hard it is to build something from the ground up in this country, so whenever I can, I choose to collaborate in a way that uplifts them—even if that means not charging. For me, success is not just about growth, but about helping others grow along the way.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I’ve always had a strong interest in science. From a very young age, I was fascinated by subjects like biology, and I even dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. That was one of my biggest childhood aspirations.
As I got older in Cuba, I realized that pursuing a career in biology was not only competitive, but also came with limited financial opportunities. Many people in that field end up becoming teachers, which is something I’ve also done in the past and truly enjoy, but it wasn’t necessarily what I envisioned for my long-term future. Like many people growing up, I had dreams of success and financial stability.
That’s what led me to choose Food Science. It felt like a way to combine my love for chemistry, biology, and science, while also pursuing something more practical—something that would allow me to build a stable life and provide for myself and my family. Looking back, it was a very intentional decision that balanced passion with reality.
At the same time, I’ve always had a strong creative side. There was a period in my life when I was deeply interested in theater and music. I play guitar, I love singing—honestly, I sing everywhere, especially in the shower—and I’ve been part of choirs throughout my life. I’m currently part of the Houston Show Choir, which has been a really meaningful creative outlet for me.
I’ve also been involved in theater. In university, I was part of Teatro Universitario de La Habana, which is one of the oldest theater groups in Latin America. That experience was very special to me and helped me grow creatively and personally.
I do believe I have a strong artistic side, but at the same time, I’ve always tried to be realistic about building a life where I can combine what I love with financial stability. Theater and music are incredibly fulfilling, but they can also be very unpredictable career paths. For me, it has always been about finding a balance between passion and practicality—choosing paths where I can grow creatively while also building a sustainable future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatscache/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ray.cacheiro.5/
