Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Claudia Alvarez-Roddy James Roddy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Claudia Alvarez-Roddy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
One of the things that helps us both is finding purpose in everything we do, even when we are struggling ourselves. Our purpose truly comes from how we impact the lives of others. For our company, our guiding principle is to eventually hire people who are on the outskirts of society. If we believe in a restorative world, we must find ways to help others feel restored. For instance, our goal is to hire people who have been incarcerated, people with disabilities, and elderly individuals who are still able to work but face ageism. These goals keep us focused on what truly matters: creating an impact on those who have been unseen.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
A year ago, we both found ourselves unemployed from the company we worked for. We were distraught, but having discussed this possibility years before, we decided to take a leap of faith and enter the world of entrepreneurship by selling our salsas. James has always had a love and passion for cooking, and one of his greatest joys has been providing food for others and seeing their satisfaction. People often encouraged us to sell our salsa after tasting it at gatherings, so when the opportunity arose, we went for it.
We started out of necessity but also with the goal of creating a legacy for others to enter. Our name, Candlestick Ravine, reflects our love for baseball—James loves the Giants, and Claudia loves the Dodgers—and acknowledges two different times in baseball history when communities were displaced. Candlestick Park now sits abandoned and undeveloped, missing an opportunity to serve a community, while Chavez Ravine was a vibrant community displaced to build a stadium. Our name represents displacement and oppression but also carries the hope of bringing light to displaced communities, with the ultimate goal of providing opportunities for those people.
A year into this business, we find ourselves at three Farmers’ Markets, hoping to start three more. Every time we are there, we find joy not only in providing great-flavored salsa but also in educating people about what salsa is and how it can be delicious without being overly hot, which has been a fascinating part of our journey. While we do carry hot salsas, our focus is on flavor first and heat second. Additionally, we love sharing family recipes and techniques for cooking or roasting vegetables to make the salsa taste authentic and fresh.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For James, his expertise and creativity come from his work in Hollywood, eventually transitioning into post-production. Working as a PA on various movie and TV sets taught him essential skills such as punctuality, scheduling, and, most importantly, communication. His experience as an editor in post-production allows him to apply these skills to our social media content, effectively telling our story to others.
For Claudia, administrative work comes naturally as a former high school educator. Navigating the unknown has been less stressful for her, as educators often need to adapt quickly, especially when students struggle to understand the material. Additionally, her background in counseling and psychology has been invaluable in understanding how to interact with others and handle rejection. This knowledge is especially important when showcasing something you are proud of and facing potential rejection.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are definitely looking to collaborate with individuals or organizations who share our vision of including others at the table. This can include non-profits or people interested in creating a collective where we can all share a space to sell our products. We want to connect with organizations that help people on the outskirts of society who need employment, such as those who have been incarcerated, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Additionally, we seek wisdom from those who have been in our shoes and have valuable knowledge to share as we continue this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://candlestickravine.com
- Instagram: candlestick_ravine
- Facebook: candlestickravine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=candlestick_ravine
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
