We were lucky to catch up with Fernanda Antunez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Fernanda , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I developed my ability to take risks since I was young. Ever since I was 5 years old, I grew up in a business ambiance due to my parents’ business, Cazuelas. They have taught me the motto in Spanish, “El que no ariesga, no gana.” (One who doesn’t risk, doesn’t win.) Which is easily said but has taken me many years to being able to fully comprehend.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My journey of entrepreneurship began when my parents opened up Cazuelas, a taco truck that we operated only on Sundays for a Latin baseball league. This was where I opened my very first business- a candy stand, where I learned the essentials of a business. I ran the candy stand from middle school throughout high school. As an adult I have opened a few businesses ranging from making custom t-shirts and apparel, to running a small interpreting company for parent teacher conferences throughout the Denver Metro Area, a pop-up fruit stand at Civic Center EATS with my sister as my business partner.
Thee one that I am the proudest of and thee most honored is when my parents trusted me to be their business administrator and operator for the food truck and catering business. They always seem to forget that they are the best mentors, coaches, and parents and, because of them I have been really successful as a business administrator.
I am thankful for the gift of learning two languages consecutively while growing up because it allows me to connect with two different cultures. The reason I mention this is because this led me to realize my passion in life. After starting a few businesses growing up as well as having two cultures under my belt i finally realized that business startups are my passion and thus Antunez Consulting was born. At Antunez Consulting I focus on assisting small Hispanic owned businesses start and expand their business dreams. Antunez Consulting will be hosting a monthly networking event. These events are a space not only to network but also to unwind, relax and have fun!
Currently, I am working a full-time job Mon- Fri as a medical interpreter, after my daytime job I work on Antunez Consulting and in the weekends, I assist Cazuelas. However, this summer I am going to launch my mobile bar for special events! Stay tuned to book your next event!
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?
One of my greatest aids have been my calendar, computer and effective communication. I am unsure how I would function without these. There have been a lot of learning moments throughout my entrepreneurship journey. Where I have been able to learn many skills such as time management where my calendar has been my holy grail. When I have led teams’, effective communication is very important. If one wants to succeed one must be able to communicate their wants and needs for all parties involved. My computer allows me to assemble and complete all the projects, events, teams, and business’
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
It is true it takes a village to raise a child or in my case help me grow as an entrepreneur. My village is made up of my parents, my younger sister and a very close family friend. Each and every one of them have very distinct personalities, skills and qualities which I have learned greatly from. My dad is always prepared with a notebook and pen, many times these sketches have become reality. My mom always recalls the accounting books to the penny. My sister is a planner if it isn’t written down with a plan, then nothing has been done. My family friend whom I’ve adopted as an aunt has such culinary creativity, and no meal will take longer than 5 minutes to make. These four people make up my village and have taught me a lot, have always supported me to overcome challenges and build many of the skills and qualities I carry with me day to day!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @la_bibis_ , @Antunez.consulting, @cazuelastacos
