Today we’d like to introduce you to Eduardo Garcia.
Hi Eduardo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My family migrated from Jalisco, Mexico one year before I was born in Los Angeles, California in 1996. We lived the stereo immigrant lifestyle in LA where my father would work long hours and my mother would take care of me and my siblings. We moved to Waco, TX when I was eight years old and since that age, I have been around our family business Helados La Azteca. Since that age, I have shadowed my father and older brother always trying to learn and work the same way they did. Fast forward 14 years when at the age of 22, I signed my first lease to our second location here in Waco. I was so ready and full of knowledge from so many years of learning and watching them that opening my own storefront was almost second nature to me. Still feeling the need to grow our Mexican culture in Texas, I set my mind to open my own coffee shop Lalo’s Coffee and Pastries. With the same goal as our ice cream shop, I strived to bring all those Mexican inspired coffee drinks to Waco. I am now 25 years old opening my second Helados La Azteca here in Waco and owning my coffee shop Lalo’s. I am very very thankful for such an amazing community that has continued to support my journey. I plan on continuing to grow Helados La Azteca to Temple, Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, etc.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe that my journey has been fairly smooth because of my father. Although at a young age, I did not enjoy working and learning from my father, he prepared me with all the knowledge I need to succeed as a business owner. Of course, there are small hiccups here and there but never anything that I can’t overcome.
As you know, we’re big fans of Helados La Azteca and Lalo’s Coffee and Pastries. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Helados La Azteca was started by my father back in the 90s. Helados La Azteca is known in Waco for having all of those Mexican deserts and snacks you find in Mexico for example paletas, Mexican ice cream flavors, corn in a cup, fruit cups etc. I opened my first location at the age of 23 also here in Waco. One year later, I opened Lalo’s Coffee and Pastries which is a Mexican inspired coffee shop. We’re known for our cultural drinks like cafe de olla, champurrado, atole, ponche, etc. We also have a variety of pan dulce pastries. Now 2022 at the age of 25, I am opening my second Helados La Azteca location here in Waco, TX. I strive to bring as much of my Mexican culture to the United States. I enjoy creating new paletas or ice cream flavors that are not easy to find here in the US. My dream is to continue to expand Helados La Azteca in other cities south of Waco like Temple, Belton, Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, etc either it be by opening more storefronts or introducing our product to grocery stores.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love my city. Waco will always hold a very special place in my heart. We are a small city that is growing fast. Waco is small enough to where all business owners know each other but big enough to where we meet new people everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heladoslaazteca.net/ and www.laloscoffeee.com
- Instagram: @heladoslaaztecawaco and @laloscoffee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeladosLaAztecaWaco
Image Credits
Kamrie Rhoads, Dominic Villa, Devin Li
