Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalia Gomez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dalia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia and for me food has always been a part of my cultural and represents many family traditions. At the age of eight, my aunt who helped raise me after my father passed taught me how to cook and sew. As a young girl, I embraced learning and my aunt taught me her recipes. As a teenager, I would go on the weekends to the local textile factory and take certification classes. I was able to learn to bake and more sewing and cooking techniques. I am the second youngest of seven siblings and my family came to the United States in the late 1970s leaving me in Colombia as they settled. They immigrated like many looking for a better opportunity for their families. I finally immigrated to the US in 1980 and arrived in Florida to meet my mother. I decided to start college to become a dental assistance but the language barrier was difficult for me and I did not continue. Those years in Florida were a whirlwind, I lost my brother, mother met my husband and had my first child in a few short years. One thing that I will always remember during those times is our family traditions, which involved all our favorite Colombian dishes like Sancocho, Mondongo, Frijoles and many more. We moved to Houston in 1987 and have been here since. This city has been a great home and given me so many opportunities to learn and grow. I have always lived in Alief and love the diversity my children have been raised in.
After my second child was born, I became a widow and things were difficult. Like many single mothers, I had various struggles. There were times I did not know if I could pay my home or feed my children, but I know that those times made me the hardworking woman I am now. I started cleaning houses and working as a waitress to make sure my children were taken care of. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit from selling handmade earrings to embroidered t-shirts. I am so happy to have taught my children that no matter what obstacles are in front of you there are opportunities to overcome them. I have sold handmade Colombian arepas independently for over 15 years. I had to find a way to support my family and cleaning houses was not enough so my niece imported a corn grinder from Colombia and we started making/selling handmade arepas. We were able to build a good reputation and client base but my niece moved back to Medellin a few years later. After a few years, I decided to formalize and create De Mi Fogon! I am now focusing on growing my business and being a proud mother, grandmother and Latina Entrepreneur.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think that there are always obstacles in life and more when you take on new goals. When I started the business as a single mom it was hard to manage the business and work full time so I took a break. I started a decoration business and that was doing well but I did not know how to manage it and I had to close it. After a few years and many requests to start selling arepas again, I reopened production at home. Unfortunately, it is hard to change your mindset and take risk at the beginning so I was always hesitant on formalizing the business. I always thought language was a barrier and that it prevented me from pursuing new opportunities but I have learned to overcome this and not be critical in my communication. I was fortunate to connect with BakerRipley’s Entrepreneur Connection program and joined their Grow Academy to help my business. I also take advantage of their services and technical assistance. I have learned so much and have a business coach that helps me with any need my business has. Entrepreneurship is hard work, passion and persistence. Once I realized this, I have not stopped working on my business growth.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
De Mi Fogón offers mainly authentic COLOMBIAN AREPAS! The product is sold frozen to prepare at home. Our product goes back to Colombian culinary customs and honors the arts of our grandmothers’ cooking traditions. We offer three different arepas, our arepa blanca, arepa de chocolo and arepa de queso. Our arepa blanca is made from 100% white corn with no preservative, gluten-free, vegan and no additives. Our arepa de queso is made with white corn and mozzarella. Finally our arepa de chocolo is made with sweet corn. We also are a vendor at many local farmer’s markets to be able to bring our food to new communities all around the Greater Houston region. We offer various traditional toppings for the arepas and other Colombian favorites at the markets. Since we have started, we have grown quickly and have received great feedback from our clients and are really proud of the response. We have taught some many clients about our Colombian heritage and traditions. We love seeing them enjoy our arepas for the first time and coming back the next week.
What were you like growing up?
I loved doing anything that involved my hands!! Of course, I loved cooking but also sewing, embroidery, macrame and decorating. Especially taking on a challenge of creating something new. I also liked sports I was on the basketball and volleyball teams and I consider myself a little competitive. I liked learning and reading about theory and psychology and still do.
Pricing:
- Arepa Blanca 10 for $10
- Arepa de Chocolo 5 for $8
- Arepa de Queso 5 for $8
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8328769942
- Email: demifogon@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @demifogon
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeMiFogon
- Twitter: @FogonMi
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