We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Cordoba a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

The big risk for my husband and me was to open the store in USA with the visa E2. The main idea about this visa is to let the project ready ( like if the big opening is tomorrow with everything: the location with the contract, decorations, equipment etc), but before open; you have to do the interview in the USA embassy in your country, in our case was Brazil, and justify the business plan! and they have the last word: they say yes or no. I remember the interview day! I was so anxious, nervous because the answer could change our lives. They said yes! And here we are working in our dream.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, my name is Angela I’m from Colombia, I’m been leaving in San Antonio for 6 years running my business Freshest ice creams, my product is lactose free and vegan because I’m lactose intolerant. The ice cream is natural, we use real fruit or organic pulp in our tropical flavors like açaí from Brazil or Lulo a traditional fruit from Colombia.
I learned to prepare this ice cream with my mom so, this is my mom recipes. Of course I have my recipes too, but always following my mom advice, she’s my musa inspiration; her special ingredient is love, patient and perseverance.
We offer to San Antonio no just ice cream, we are sharing tradition and an alternative options to people who can’t enjoy a regular ice cream like me.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing the clientele is keeping the quality in three aspects: product, customers services, and an enjoyable environment. For me it’s not only have a excellent product is about the whole experience: how is the place: organized, clean, the music, the customers service and the most delicious ice cream. That’s is the best marketing ever, when you like the place; if you don’t have social media, you share your experience in a good conversation with your friends.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Started a business not is easy! Special when you are an immigrant with no friends or family in town, just a couple saying: “Hi San Antonio we are here” So we have long days with red low numbers, but the only day we sell nothing 0.00 was on my husband birthday! So we never forget that day in a good way and always been thankful, because is part of the process. It was just one day because San Antonio Texas is so friendly and supportive city, if we survive through covid is because of this marvelous city.      

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freshesticecreams.com
• Instagram: @freshesticecreams
• Facebook: Freshest ice creams
• Yelp: Freshest ice creams

Image Credits
Angela Cordoba