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I have an interview with Loreal USA for a Territory Sales Rep. tomorrow @ 9am............

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The History of La Michoacana

One of the things I enjoy more than anything in this world is the time I get to spend with my Grandpa during the week. Occasionally, we will take a shopping trip to a supermarket here in Lubbock that specializes in Mexican groceries. Its very nostalgic because when you walk in the door, you almost feel south of the border. From Pan de Huevo to Jarritos by the bottle, the novelty of this place is quite a unique experience for me. Today, Grandpa and I had a quick chat about the history of a "La Michoacana". He told me that "Michoacana" is an area south of Mexico. As he spoke, I couldnt help but think of the knowledge that this man must have and what a great resource he is to my Mexican heritage. Back at the office, I looked up the whole history of this place. I know its something that may be overlooked or not really thought about by many people, but knowing where you came from is the only way you can know where you re going. One Love. read below....

"In order to understand the impact of La Michoacana peleterías (Popsicle shop), it is necessary to understand the history of Michoacán.Throughout much of the 20th century, Michoacán offered very little for the uneducated and the poor. Two economic possibilities existed: immigration to the United States in order to find work, or become involved in Michoacán’s trade in marijuana. During the 1940s, however, Agustin Andrade and Ignacio Alcazar, cousins, set up Popsicle shops, or peleterías, in Mexico City separately. Still, after 60 years, it is disputed who set up the first Popsicle shop in Mexico City. Both shops were named La Michoacana, appearing at relatively the same time. As the shops became successful, the cousins realized that had an opportunity to creatively help the poor, unemployed of Michoacán.Soon Andrade and Alcazar began selling the successful businesses to employees, relatives, and neighbors in Tocumbo, expanding La Michoacana throughout Mexico City, and later, all throughout Mexico. Today, La Michoacana is even in the United States (US), located in cities such as Modesto, California (Modesto, California Government Website) and Denver, Colorado (Aguilar). As more and more people of Hispanic decent immigrate to the United States, many from Mexico, I believe La Michoacana paletearías will become more prevalent throughout the United StatesThe expansion of La Michoacana throughout Mexico occurred in a very unique manner, creating a particularly effective business model in Mexico. As stated earlier, the creators of the original La Michoacana paletearías expanded by selling their original businesses to a number of interested parties. The new owners, once established, often sold their first paletearías to friends, relatives, and trusted employees, further expanding La Michoacana name. Today, it is not uncommon to have several La Michoacana stores, often owned by different people, in the same town.
In this manner, several families in Tocumbo became tied to la peletería business, helping to finance paletearías all throughout Mexico.
The success of such a business model is due to the following factors:

1.Owners wishing to expand their La Michoacana franchise provide low interest loans to those who wish to purchase a La Michoacana store. Money received from the sale of these stores is often used to finance new La Michoacana stores. This is especially important in Mexico, where it is extremely difficult to obtain financing.

2.Family and community ties, especially important in Mexican society, bind agreements (such as financing agreements) between La Michoacana owners. As a result of these community and family ties, the town of Tocumbo, Michoacán contains several families that own La Michoacanas. Today, the town even contains a statue of a paleta (Photo 4).

3.La Michoacana paleterías use fresh fruit, which is readily available throughout Mexico. In addition, La Michoacana’s have traditionally varied flavors to local taste. Flavors you may find in one La Michoacana store may not be found in another. For example, in Uman, I was able to purchase a guanábana Popsicle; in Progresso, the flavor was not offered.La Michoacana’s tradition of mass customization and intimate knowledge of the Mexican market have allowed it to compete very successfully against large US ice cream franchises. This tradition may allow La Michoacana to compete successfully in the US market.


Source: "The Surprising Success of La Michoacana" by Lindsey Russell

My First Attempt @ Blogging

Good evening. 26 yrs into "my so-called life", I have finally come to a crossroad in my life both professionally and emotionally. Initially, I had wanted to start this blog as a way to communicate with friends, family and other interested parties and open a window into my life. however, I feel I should just let this thing be an electronic journal. This will not only be a window into my life but a therapeutic way to express myself. I met with a business coach today (similar to a life coach but more focus on your professional side of life) Now everyone has goals they would like to obtain. Whether it be a new car, or to finish school, have children or lose weight. But did you know only 3% of Americans actually WRITE down these goals and interpret what steps to take to obtain this goal. Its also proven that this small percentile makes TWICE as much income as the remaining 97%. Now, I am not saying I am doing this to become rich. (Although that would be nice) But it puts things into perspective that something as small as simply writing down a few ideas, whether it be just that, ideas, but the thought that putting into visual context really makes you see the whole picture. Now I labeled this blog "Picture Me Rolling..." and I used to thing that was just some great lyric from the late Tupac Shakur, but after this sitting here typing my thoughts for the evening, its taken a whole new meaning. "Picture Me Rolling" is exactly the way to set myself apart, and into something great. Not only "picturing" my goals could eventually make things begin to "roll", but writing (or typing) down goals.........One Love.