Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaycel Gripon
Hi Jaycel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m an immigrant from the Philippines—I was born and raised there. I moved to the U.S. in 2016 after getting married, but sadly, that didn’t work out. Once I separated, I looked for every possible reason to stay in the States. I took on all sorts of jobs, like cashiering, being a barista, working as a machine operator, and even driving for Uber. It was a tough journey, but I always felt like God was watching over me.
Along the way, I met this amazing mentor who owns a churro business in a mall in Bellaire. I started helping him out and learned the ropes. He recognized my potential and eventually let me manage the stores—there were two locations at the time.
When COVID hit, things got chaotic, but we didn’t throw in the towel. We decided to work full-time jobs while also running the stores to keep them afloat. Then, in July 2023, we got super lucky when some influencers came by and helped us go viral, which brought in tons of customers. That really turned things around for us! Now we’re running four stores, and we’re about to open another one in Texas City.
All these things are nearly impossible without my mentor and my siblings as my number one support system.
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?
Running a business isn’t a walk in the park—it’s tough, and there’s always something that pops up. You’re constantly facing challenges, big or small, and every day is an opportunity to learn. Sure, there are setbacks, but each one teaches you something. I’ve dealt with things like being short-staffed and rising costs, and it can be really tricky to keep everything balanced.
We’ve been impressed with Gripon Group LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gripon Group LLC is all about delicious desserts, especially churros and crepes. We have several locations in the Houston area, including Sra Churros in Pasadena, Cafe GRIPON’s in Humble, Gripon’s Coffee Co. in Pearland, and Sweet Cravings in Bellaire. We’re excited to announce that we’re opening another spot inside the Tanger Outlet Mall in Texas City! We take pride in crafting our churros and crepes from scratch, ensuring everything is fresh and tasty.
And one more thing about our Business. I have an amazing team my siblings works with me and I can say they are my Best support system. The Joy of working with family is something I’m so greatful about
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I feel really lucky that I didn’t have to search for my mentor—he found me instead! I have a ton of respect and admiration for him. One key lesson I’ve learned is to “put on my big girl pants,” and if you want to succeed, you’ve got to wake up early. I owe a lot of that to his marine background, which brought a tough-love approach that really suits me. It’s been super effective!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sra.churros
- Facebook: @srachurros
Image Credits
Royalty Imagery by Tania Rodriguez
