Did you know Latinos are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States? In Bísness School, NBC and Telemundo join forces to tell the stories of some of the most inspiring Latino founders. Hosted by journalist Fernando Hurtado, Bísness School highlights business owners across all industries, from entertainment to publishing and food. It sounds like business school, but it’s not. You can think of Bísness School as a lowercase MBA with uppercase guests. And while business school is expensive, Bísness School is free. Look out for new episodes every other Tuesday.
Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Ricardo Cervantes and Alfredo Livas were used to the smell of pan dulce, or sweet bread, enveloping block after block. When Ricardo and Alfredo moved to the California for graduate school, they realized Mexican panaderías weren't as uniquitous as they were in Mexico. That wasn't necessarily surprising, but what was surprising was the difference in taste. Armed with a business degree from Stanford, Ricardo and Alfredo set out to create a chain of Mexican bakeries that celebrated Mexican sweet flavors—and created new ones—with La Monarca Bakery and Cafe. Today, the Los Angeles-based company has 12 locations and sells its coffee and cookies in Costco stores all over the Southwest. Ricardo joins Bísness School to explain why people told him it was a bad idea to make a bakery for Latinos and why he wants La Monarca to be a business that does well and good for the community.
This episode was produced and edited by Fernando Hurtado.
Follow La Monarca Bakery and Café @lamonarcabakery.
Follow Fernando Hurtado at @byfernandoh.
