Today we’d like to introduce you to Soraya Diaz.
Hi Soraya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was only two when I arrived in the US. My family left Mexico City to give their children a chance at life, at the American dream. My dad would head downtown to clean skyscrapers and my mom would clean houses. Meanwhile, my 6 siblings and I were immersed in the full American culture in the ’90s. What a wonderful time. As a kid, I knew Atlanta was always so special.
Entrepreneurship has always been our family tradition. Coming from a poor country the only things parents can hand down to their children is their work ethic, morals and values. Many people don’t know this but in the nineties there were only a handful of families that operated Hispanic businesses in the Atlanta area. At that time, My parents opened their video stores, imagine a Spanish-speaking “Blockbuster ” store. It was a way Latinos could find movies to remind them of their homes so far away. My job was to rewind the videotapes, clean the counters, bathrooms and anything else that needed to be done. But, When my mom wanted to bring a taste of Mexico City tacos to Atlanta, I graduated to a dishwasher, server and restaurateur in training. I just didn’t know it.
I watched my parents dedicate so much of their time, energy, and health into their businesses so we could study, stay in school, and so we could be anything but a business owner. Much to their disappointment by the time we were young adults we were so ready to create something that combined the flavors, our traditions, and our findings from traveling the world. How else could we do this? How else could we continue to be inspired daily by the seasons, fruits, people, regions? There was no other way. We had to open businesses. We had to share our interpretation of the world’s mutual love of Gelato, Eis, Helado. i.e.., Ice Cream.
My passion is food, The smell of a ripe mango, the bursting flavors of sweet & salty when you add lime and tajin chili powder. The sweet cream mixing with cinnamon. This feeling of nostalgia and good music, you can almost feel it in the air.
It’s been amazing but also a sacrifice. It’s not easy being a small business owner, waking up to alarm calls, missing birthdays, weekends and holidays. It’s a blessing to watch interns become chefs, students plan their careers and get a chance to learn and grow with us. That makes all the craziness ok, that makes the late nights worth it.
At La Niña Michoacana Pop, we started in the heart of Buford highway, Plaza Fiesta. After being a tenant in Plaza fiesta for over twenty years, one of my brothers said, “we need to open a paleteria, like the ones in Mexico”. His belief in my dreams was the reason we decided to go for it. Risking everything.
It was a hit, people drove from all around the southeast just for a familiar flavor, feeling and place to belong. They didn’t mind driving hours because they knew they would always be welcome. Every time I had a customer say they drove from Alabama, Tennessee, or NC. I would feel like I owed them something not the other way around.
As we began to expand into Peachtree Corners, Mall of GA, Gainesville we realized that we weren’t just bringing these cool, colorful flavors to Atlanta, we also began to spread the Mexican tradition of ‘Heladerias y Paleterias’ or “ice cream & Popsicle shops”. The same way communities in Mexico have flourished by giving everyone the ability to participate and have an opportunity to grow through tasty ice cream, paletas, and aguas frescas.
We can’t be thankful enough to this amazing state that has welcomed our family, employees and Paletas into their hearts. We do it for you, the student that has no idea what to do with their life, the person just arriving to a new city, the family that needs to make ends meet. We aim to create a space where everyone can belong and everyone can have a place to live in the moment while enjoying a paleta (popsicle) or Ice cream.
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?
Our major challenge was opening right before Covid 19 spread across the US. The uncertainty of everything, paying bills while being closed. Paying our employees so they wouldn’t be without. We had given up so many hours and days of our lives to work towards perfection just to finally open and shut down again right before our peak season. It was definitely a scary time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about La Nina Michoacana Pop, Inc.?
We specialize in Gourmet Popsicles, Ice Cream & Aguas Frescas (fresh drinks). We use seasonal, local and exotic ingredients. Our most popular drink is Lime, Cucumber, and Chia seeds.
Any big plans?
We hope to inspire as many people to follow their dreams, no matter what they may be.
We would like to continue to serve our communities for many years to come. We look forward to experimenting with new flavors and hope to introduce people to new snacks.
We have always wanted to cook brunch for all of our customers, hopefully we get to do that in the near future.
Pricing:
- $3 Regular Popsicle
- $5 Gourmet Popsicle
- $5 one scoop
- $7 two scoops
- $6 Agua Fresca
Contact Info:
- Instagram: laninamichoacanapop
- Facebook: laninamichoacanapop
