Meet Susana

We were lucky to catch up with Susana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Susana, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience flows from the strength of generations of women in my family, particularly my beloved Abuelitas who taught me that food is more than sustenance—it’s storytelling, cultural preservation, and entrepreneurial spirit all rolled into one. As a single mom embarking on this culinary adventure with La Peruanita, I draw daily inspiration from my Abuelita Lucila, who sustained her family by making and selling Picarones during challenging times.
Our signature Picarones aren’t just Peruvian beignets; they represent a profound legacy of freedom and perseverance. These sweet delights originated from Afro-Peruvians after slavery’s abolition, embodying triumph and communal joy. When I craft each batch—crispy outside, tender inside, adorned with traditional chancaca and fig syrup—I’m honoring our ancestors’ entrepreneurial spirit and their refusal to let circumstances define their future. That’s where my resilience comes from: knowing that I carry forward a tradition of women who turned adversity into opportunity, one delicious bite at a time.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Susana Ipanaque Huacacolque, and I wear two complementary hats that both center around nourishing people—through La Peruanita and Warmisitay Health Services.
La Peruanita brings the vibrant soul of Peru to Seattle through our signature Picarones and authentic Peruvian street food. What makes this incredibly special is that every dish tells a story of cultural resilience. Our Picarones aren’t just sweet treats; they’re edible history, celebrating Afro-Peruvian heritage and the entrepreneurial spirit of my ancestors. You’ll find us at Shoreline Farmers Market, where each batch is made fresh, sometimes serenaded with a tune, and always served with genuine joy.
After sustaining a work injury in 2023 while providing patient care, I founded Warmisitay Health Services, where I practice as a holistic nurse, blending modern healthcare with ancient indigenous healing wisdom. It’s incredibly fulfilling to offer personalized care that honors both contemporary medicine and ancestral practices.
What’s particularly exciting right now is the launch of our new shelf-stable Peruvian marinades and products, debuting exclusively at Shoreline Farmers Market! These authentic blends will bring genuine Peruvian flavors directly to your kitchen, perfect for both culinary adventures and wellness routines. I’m thrilled to expand our reach while maintaining the quality and cultural authenticity that defines everything we do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, creativity in cultural fusion. My ability to blend authentic Peruvian flavors with locally sourced Pacific Northwest ingredients has been transformative. This isn’t just about substitution—it’s about honoring tradition while embracing the bounty of our Seattle community. For those starting their journey, I’d encourage you to see constraints as creative opportunities. When you can’t find exactly what you need, ask yourself: “How can I honor the essence of what I’m creating while working with what’s available?” That mindset opens doors you never knew existed.
Second, hands-on culinary expertise gained through passionate practice. My cooking skills weren’t just inherited; they were honed through years of working and volunteering in commercial kitchens, learning from other passionate cooks, and constantly experimenting. The kitchen became my classroom, and every mistake taught me something valuable. My advice: don’t wait until you feel “ready” to start cooking for others. Volunteer at community kitchens, work in restaurants, or simply cook for friends and family. Real skill comes from repetition, adaptation, and the willingness to learn from both successes and failures.
Third, business management knowledge developed through creative problem-solving. Learning to manage and grow La Peruanita has required me to become resourceful, especially as a single mom bootstrapping a business. I’ve had to master everything from vendor relationships to financial planning to marketing, often finding unconventional solutions that work within my constraints. For emerging entrepreneurs, embrace the fact that you’ll wear many hats initially. Each challenge you solve creatively builds not just business acumen, but confidence in your ability to adapt and thrive. Don’t be afraid to start small and grow organically—sometimes the most sustainable businesses are built one thoughtful step at a time.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always excited to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations who share my values and vision. I’m particularly interested in partnering with folks who honor indigenous practices and understand the profound wisdom embedded in ancestral traditions. Whether you’re a fellow entrepreneur, community organization, or healthcare provider, I’m drawn to collaborators who genuinely appreciate the diversity of cultures and recognize that our differences make us stronger as a community.
I’m looking for partners who want to support a wide array of people—those who understand that true success means lifting others up alongside your own growth. This could be through cross-cultural culinary collaborations, wellness partnerships that integrate traditional and modern approaches, or community initiatives that celebrate and preserve cultural heritage while building inclusive spaces for everyone.
If you’re reading this and feel aligned with these values, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach out through my website at www.laperuanita.org or connect with me directly via email at laperuanita.seattle@gmail.com. Let’s explore how we can work together to create something meaningful that serves our community and honors the rich tapestry of traditions that make Seattle such a vibrant place to call home.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laperuanita.org
• Instagram: laperuanita_seattle
• Facebook: La Peruanita Seattle