Isabela and her husband, Jose, decided to move from Chicago to Columbus in July 2021, hoping for a fresh start and new opportunities for their family. Originallyfrom Mexico, they made their way to the United States in 2000 and spent the next twenty years in Chicago after a brief stay with family in Columbus. 

But just raising a family wasn’t enough—they had big dreams. 

Unfortunately, starting a catering business in Chicago came with its own set of challenges. The high cost of living and the demands of a growing family made stability hard to achieve. With rising expenses, a competitive market, and limited resources, they often felt overwhelmed by uncertainty and pressure.

When they moved to Columbus, they envisioned a better future. Little did they know, a serendipitous combination of an innovative program and the generous support of CSS donors would transform their lives. 

Isabela discovered the Mercadito Raíces program on Facebook. This initiative, offered by the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center (OLGC) in cooperation with the Ohio Small Business Development Center and the City of Columbus, supports Latino entrepreneurs in turning their dreams into reality. Inspired, Isabela threw herself into the program, balancing classes and family life. By 2023, she completed the program and was proud to be part of the Columbus Latino Festival, Ohio’s largest celebration of Latino history, culture, food, and music.

Reflecting on her journey, Isabela acknowledges how crucial the support from Mercadito Raíces staff was. “The support and encouragement I got from the staff was so helpful. I felt like I was with family. We didn’t have programs like this in Chicago, and the staff worked with me every step of the way, teaching me about licensing, insurance, and financial management. All the classes being taught in Spanish was a huge help. Without the love and care from the staff, I couldn’t have built the business like this. Mercadito Raíces is such a blessing for my family and our business,” she shares.

Their catering business is truly a family affair. While Jose helps with food preparation, Isabela managed all the coursework within the 11-class program and continues to apply what she learns as they grow the business. Jose is especially proud of Isabela for being accepted as a vendor at Festival Latino last year, which was a remarkable achievement in their first year of business. Clara Brown, program director at OLGC and the coordinator of Mercadito Raíces, praised Isabela’s dedication and discipline, saying, “Isabela had the drive and desire to learn and make their business successful. They’ve worked incredibly hard, and the results are amazing. She’s a warrior.”

Their business now serves local businesses and schools, and has even catered events in Detroit, Chicago, and for a Fortune 500 company in Ft. Wayne, IN. While they dream of opening a small restaurant someday, their current focus is on growing their catering business and enjoying their young family. Grateful for the opportunities provided by Mercadito Raíces, Isabela extends her heartfelt thanks to those who support Catholic Social Services. “To the people who donate to Catholic Social Services and make this program possible, thank you! You are helping people fulfill their dreams, and that is a wonderful blessing.”

After a post-pandemic restart in 2023, the Mercadito Raices program through OLGC helped launch 10 Latino startups last year. And while the numbers aren’t finalized for the next six-month session, even more entrepreneurs are expected to participate. 

“It’s an incredible program,” says Brown. “The success we’ve seen is amazing. And we’re only getting started.”