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By Manuel Corao
Immigrants who arrive in the US in search of progress, spiritual tranquility, social peace, and creative work for themselves and their families are part of the historical memory of this nation.
The contribution of those who enter this fruitful land is in line with the spiritual and moral principles learned from their mother tongue in the land where they come from.
Of equal value and importance, we can see their trade and, therefore, the experience that leads them to work the hours necessary to benefit themselves and strengthen the vanguard of the region that welcomes them.
Venezuelan Haydee Gómez, an example to many
Haydee Gómez, a Venezuelan of Lusitanian descent, single mother, educator, entrepreneur, president, and CEO of an industrial ice cream or popsicle business, as she is known in other latitudes, is an example to follow for many who wish to make their dream come true.
As an illustration, the Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges of the State of Florida honored Venezuelan Haydee Gómez as the 2022 College Graduate of the Year.
For her graduation thesis, Gómez created her dream project: to become an independent entrepreneur in the frozen and refrigerated food industry, known as ice cream.
Her experience in daily street work in liquid product marketing, added to her post-school university training, together with her conviction, faith, and passion for seeing her life project come true —which began when she was a university student— constituted a novel element of vital interest to be taken into account due to the time dedicated to the business by its mentor.
This is how experts were able to evaluate the venture in question from its foundations to finally approve its highest rating for Haydee Gomez as the most outstanding university graduate of La Florida in 2022 for the successful execution of her project and whose future prospects are for a long existence in the grocery market.
The ice cream girl
In a university environment where Haydee Gómez works in pedagogical functions of specialized training, we began our meeting to learn about her experience with the award she has received.
Without further ado, she tells us that she always thought of being an independent businesswoman and devoted to selling ice cream, which she started with the possibilities within her reach eight years ago.
“I came to this country not knowing many things. I started reselling ice cream on the street, then I located community businesses or Farm Market, where I would go with two ice cream coolers in my hands with four different flavors. Despite the advice of my family who recommended me to forget about it and look for a job, I continued because it was what I wanted to do. No pessimist was going to deter me from my idea of selling ice cream. Eventually everyone knew me as the ice cream girl. Consumer demand led me to set up a store in Weston, Broward County and then become a wholesaler and industrialist,” she explains animatedly.
You have to be consistent with what you are going to do, she stresses. “There are many stories like mine in this country; in the U.S., anyone can succeed. The conditions are right,” she says.
Not in vain is this northern nation identified as the place where you can see your dreams come true.
How to identify the moment to grow?
“Acceptance and sales are guidelines that point to industrial success.”
Then, she continues, “I settled on the store, when it was already supplying eight Farm Market locations from West Palm Beach north to the south on Isla Morada. The coronavirus period was a test for me as it was for others, as the commercial sources were closed. However, customers came to shop; ice cream was still being sold.”
“Today I am the president of Bosco Frozen Desserts and supply ice cream to the state of Florida,” she says.
Gómez believes that people should do what they like to do.
“Here you have to spend a lot of time on commercial responsibility, seven days a week to be attentive. My daughter was almost born in the store and is always with me. I can tell you she’s on the payroll,” she jokes.
As a businesswoman, what would you suggest to the authorities?
“They should not require small entrepreneurs to follow the procedures that apply to large food companies. I think they should be more in tune with the manager, exchange criteria with the producers regarding regulations; not only supervise the operation.”
You are successful, what advice do you give to those who aspire to have their own commercial or service activity center?
“My main virtue when I arrived was ignorance. I tell them to have patience and conviction. It takes time to develop companies. No matter what country you are in, you will have good and bad times, you have to persist, be optimistic and train yourself. I know very well that statistics show that a high percentage of fruitful companies disappear in five years, but if only one percent survive, I will be in that small percentage”, she answers with conviction.
This article is part of an agreement between El American and El Nacional.
