We recently connected with Martha Lopez and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Martha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Las Martitas is the result of our love for Mexico and our aspirations for a better future. As an 11-year-old, I immigrated to Oxford with my family and while I didn’t learn everything from Mexico or the USA, but I loved both countries. I knew I wanted to be a successful business owner, After exploring various business ventures and developing a passion for cooking,
We saw a for rent sign at our local farmers market and decided to start a small business there, offering our Mexican food and the Dutch menus that the previews owners had.
With the help of the previews owner who taught and shared us all her Dutch recipes. She mentor me on how to run the business and stayed two months until we were comfortable with running the business on our own, that’s how we started our adventure.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Las Martitas is a small Mexican Dutch food stand. Yes you heard it right… we offer everything from tacos with homemade tortillas, Tortas with freshly baked bread, our tres leches cake, horchata and, Doña Martitas famous tamales made by my parents Martha and Jose.
To our famous sandwiches, wraps, subs, Dutch salads and desserts: our delicious chicken salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, deviled eggs, pickled deviled and One of the best sellers banana pudding, are just a few of the many delicious treats and meals that we offer.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

At Las Martitas we belive that listening to our family and customers is always the way to go. If you can take criticism from other you will grow. as sad as it sounds criticism with always teach you something.
When we stared our business, someone in one of the local message board and social media tried to trashed us down. By saying that she couldn’t belive the local Amish market aloud two Mexican ladies to run a kiosco.. in returned we had many people replying back to this person’s comment in social media, asking if she knew what we offered because they wanted to try our Food.
Due to her criticizing us on social media we went from having one of the smallest food stand to doubling the size of our stand.
Take criticism from others and make it better, because it will only allow you to grow in wisdom.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

I heard this from one of my business mentor. When I heard it, I payed no attention to it.
Later on I have learned, that sometimes the people that you trust around you, are not always trust worthy.
Stay true to what you like, and what you would like to see if you were the customer, don’t imitate others, give your customers something that represents you and your family, let them feel the love and passion for what your doing. And always be alerts for what is best for you, your family and your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oxfordfarmmarketpa.com/vendors/las-martitas
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasmartitas1?igsh=MWJ0MDdjdm54aGFuNg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LasMartitas1?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lasmartitasllc
• Other: TikTok
  https://www.tiktok.com/@lasmartitas_1?_t=8npQr1XsBlG&_r=1

Image Credits

Las Martitas