A Special Flavor

Diego was finishing college and his parents, Diego and Martha, were working as realtors in Miami when the family came up with the idea that would transform their lives. “We were thinking about the future and the footprint we wanted to leave behind. We put our brains together to see what opportunities were out there and what was something we all loved.” Soon enough, the answer became clear. “As Columbians, in our culture, we bring a rich flavor to everything. That’s what makes us special as people. And we wanted to exemplify that through food because it’s a great way to connect with people. We saw it as an opportunity to make a difference in our community.”

An Unexpected Closing

Diego and his parents chose to offer arepas, a dish native to Columbia and its surrounding region. “This gave us a chance to show a side of Latin American cuisine that hasn’t really been popularized yet in our area.” In 2017, they opened Arepasmania in the Pembroke Pines Mall food court in Hollywood, Florida and the success was immediate. Yet in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the mall, and thus Arepasmania, to close for two months. “I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been tough.” Even when the mall finally reopened, its crowds were only a fraction of what they once were. “We were worried because we had no idea what the impact on our business would be.”

An Opportunity to Provide with Ascendus’s Help

Throughout this crisis, Diego is finding ways to adapt, and is grateful for the skills he’s developed in the process. “We’re trying to figure out ways to draw in new customers through discounts, promotions, and special events, which has really pushed me creatively. I’ve definitely grown as an entrepreneur during this time.” Diego and his parents also received a PPP loan from Ascendus, which provided a lift, not only for them, but for the individuals they employ. “It has definitely helped us out with our main expenses, specifically our employees. It’s given us the opportunity to provide for them in a time like this. It’s impacted lives and families.”

A Better Way to Do Things

As Diego and his parents continue to acclimate to an unprecedented time, Arepasmania’s beloved following and unique product has made Diego confident in navigating the path ahead. “We’ve managed to bounce back pretty swiftly and have a good feeling of what to expect moving forward.” With close ties to his community, Diego looks forward to reconnecting with loved ones, including meeting his infant nephew for the first time, and hopes that the experiences of the present will transform the landscape of the future. “We’re excited to see the people we care about and the community bounce back. As a country, there’s a lot to learn from this in terms of what we can do better. There’s always a better way to do things. I’m hopeful we’ll see some long overdue and necessary changes.”