We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adan Ruiz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adan below.
Adan , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I got my work ethic from my parents, who were always busy with projects. Growing up, we tackled various tasks every weekend around the house, from building to cleaning. These experiences shaped me, instilling a sense of structure that helps me prioritize my daily responsibilities for our business.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Since childhood, I’ve had a passion for technology. For the past 14 years, I’ve worked in IT at the University of New Mexico specializing in healthcare technology and educational systems. My role has focused on empowering our community to effectively use various technologies for learning and growth.
When we started Puffed Up Candy, it marked a shift from my usual routine. Recognizing the potential in the growing freeze-dry market online, we decided to dive in. Nearly a year later, we’ve made a name for ourselves in Albuquerque. Our presence at local events and community engagement has helped us build a strong platform and a dedicated following. We’re now in both malls in Albuquerque, and our owl logo is well-recognized. The community appreciates our reasonable prices and monthly deals, along with a unique selection of candies not found elsewhere in the 505 area.
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?
Three key skills that have significantly supported my journey are resilience, communication, and critical thinking. Each is vital for anyone starting a business. Critical thinking allows you to assess your plans from an outside perspective, enabling you to see the bigger picture rather than just isolated details. Resilience is crucial for adapting to unforeseen challenges—whether it’s an event, product, or employee issue. It’s about bouncing back quickly and maintaining a positive outlook.
Communication is essential in all areas of life, but especially in business. When launching a venture, it’s important to ensure that co-owners and team members are aligned and informed. Regular meetings to discuss product launches, like bagging and labeling, help keep everyone in the loop and avoid confusion.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The most valuable part of this journey has been my two co-owners: my sister and my best friend. We’re all in this together, supporting each other’s ideas and visions. Without my sister Brenda, we wouldn’t have the beautiful and delicious freeze-dried candy she creates. And without Jon, we wouldn’t have the social media presence we enjoy today. Both have remained calm through every transition and challenge we’ve faced. They’ve also assisted with our product labels and the design of our bags. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from them, which I’m still working on, is patience. I have to remind myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Puffedupcandy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puffedupcandy/profilecard/?igsh=cnB1eHFoNmZmdzVv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/yU8RtsycU5VuBajw/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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