We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Johana Gomez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Johana below.

Johana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Casita is a collection of feelings and amazing experiences. The idea started with a friend of mine, we just to host friends in my house and cook for them. They really love our food and came with that crazy idea of opening a restaurant. I have been involved with this industry since I was in Colombia (country where I am from 😉). So, we decided to open a Food Truck that we named Sur Sabor, but unfortunately, our partnership did not last long. It is when I decided to buy my own Food Truck and open Casita Colombian Food. My daughter and the boyfriend that I had at that time were an instrumental support I needed to start, people that I thank a lot. It was a very rough time, even if I had experience with catering and events, running a restaurant was something totally different. We all learned on the way, the process was not easy but full of lessons and experiences that I appreciate a lot.
Our first trail was at For The Culture Brewing, they gave us the opportunity to be there for their opening and this experience made me love this business. Some months later we found a place closer to our house, so we decided to moved there. It was a very different experience, very demanding for the experience that we had at that time but also very enriching for having the businesses that we have now. Due to many situations I decide to open another location what made me feel the same excitement for my business that I feel with the guys in the Brewery.,The Food Zone Grand Texas where we have our another location for Casita and created the partner brand Mia Villetta Italian Style. The idea came because serving Colombian Food is something that grows slowly while people get to know our food since it is not that common in this state. Italian food is something that everyone loves. After having this location running as expected we decided to buy another food truck for moving around events.
After having some personal issues that brought many difficulties to run my business as usual, I decide to move my trailer from this demanding place to a new location where we are growing up on our own time and vibes, and we came back to For The Culture Brewing because good kids always go back home ☺️. We already have 4 food trucks running and growing slowly, thanks to people who has been involved in the process and contributing with their job as employees, or with their products as vendors or with their support as friends and customers.

Johana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Here is Johana telling her story about how this crazy but wonderful journey started, a very passionate woman who has been working hard since very early age, some times being assertive and some others making mistakes as a human being but the most important, learning my lessons.
I got a degree in Business Administration in Colombia, and also an specialization in Hotels and Tourism what gave me the opportunity of being into the aviation industry with several processes that putting an airplane on air means, including the catering service what has been instrumental for the development of my business.
My daughter and I currently own 4 food trucks running where we serve: authentic Colombian food in Casita at The Food Zone Grand Texas, Colombian Mexican Mix where we put all our Colombian flavors in tacos, burritos and tortas in 2 of our trailers and Mia Villetta Italian Style at The Food Zone Grand Texas.
You all are invited to visit us at the different locations and follow us on our social media to learn more about our food and events.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Seasons change and social media has become the main source for getting in touch with people. I have been a very experienced person developing business and building strong business relationships and success negotiations, but I have to confess that the new generation of entrepreneurs and business were a challenge for me in the way that I had to understand how everything works nowadays. Being an old school generation brought me to find advisory from young people with experience in technology and social media industry. Very thankful with my team of young generation who are in Colombia supporting me with my social media what has been instrumental for our growth and attracting more people and getting customers connected with us

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Having your own business requires a lot.
Dedication, constancy, sacrifices, tons of love and passion. It is not an easy journey, full of ups and downs what will bring multiples lessons to learn as professional and as human being.
It is very important to appreciate those who walk with you on the goodness and the difficulties.
Those special friends who have been my inspiration and motivation to keep going through this process, but in special my daughter who is my friend, my motor, my inspiration, my partner in crime, my all.
It is difficult but not impossible, believing in yourself and being positive will make everything possible.
I am a huge believer in God, with all the respect for those who do not. Nothing could have been possible without Him in my life. Grateful and Blessed!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casita_colombianfood?igsh=MTJsdTFpZ214b2l0MQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Docpy5bi5/?mibextid=LQQJ4d