Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamid
Hi Hamid, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It’s been an interesting road for me over the past 20yrs, and everything just seemed to organically transition into the next chapter of my life. Well, where do I begin? I was an early bird in 2006ish creating content on YouTube and produced a local television show, spent some years on store leadership teams at HEB, VP of Marketing for SCORE Austin, independent small business coach and consultant, and on to Communications Director at the Austin Apartment Association as my last employer. Oh, almost forgot! I also served as the Food Director at Samsung Austin ensuring daily meals for their thousands of employees.
With nearly 20yrs experience of leadership roles, food management, content creating, marketing, advertising and coaching others on how to take something from idea to income, it was finally time for me to launch Churros la Catrina. A much cleaner and more Mexican (BFY) better-for-you CPG brand that truly showcases a 360 of Mexican culture whether it be traditional or through trendy pop culture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I launched my business on March 1st of 2023 and it simply started off as a part-time business. However, on November 1st of that year, I walked into work, was immediately escorted to the board room, and was terminated for “performance” reasons. No paper trail, write ups, or any specifics were given to me to justify this. I obviously asked, but my Executive VP basically had nothing to say other than I am being released- WELL DAMN! Obviously, still in shock from what just happened minutes prior, I grabbed my things, walked out with my head held high through the parking lot, and I told myself that I never wanted to have another job again.
Regardless, it was the Fall, Christmas was right around the corner, and I knew that nobody was hiring, so I had to take my part-time business to a decent sales level where I could actually try and survive. My girlfriend at the time was a 6-figure earner, and me only grossing about $1.5k-2.5k monthly was definitely something that did not appeal to her and I know was one of the reasons why we had split in the Spring of 2024. Fortunately, I kept going, stayed laser focused and can honestly say that I have not had a “real job” since that day of my termination almost a year and a half ago. Plus, I’ve now been netting more revenue monthly as an emerging brand entrepreneur than I was as a Communications Director. God is good!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make crunchy wheat-based Mexican snacks that are much cleaner and more Mexican than the alternatives out there. No pork, vegan and vegetarian, along with no artificial preservatives are just a few reasons why my customers love the product. By authentically showcasing Mexican traditions and pop culture through the social platforms, it really sets me apart from the big corporate brands that simply fill a bag with product and have minimal or zero culture to show with it.
My product is available at local events, festivals, online and at many retail locations around the Austin area, but growing!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Going to Mexico every Summer and Christmas. We’re from a small town, so every family member is literally right around the corner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://churroslacatrina.com
- Instagram: churroslacatrina
- Other: TikTok: Churroslacatrina
