Minority Majority 020: A Latino's $500 Million Snack Empire, Latina Sundance Win, and Immigrant Business Growth

INTRODUCTION
¡Saludos! Welcome to the milestone 20th edition of the Minority Majority newsletter. This week, we're shining a spotlight on stories of entrepreneurship, cultural triumph, and the remarkable business impact of Latino immigrants in the United States.

From Pete Maldonado’s journey with Chomps to Alessandra Lacorazza's cinematic achievements at Sundance, and an insightful look into the entrepreneurial spirit driving economic growth among Latino and immigrant communities—each story is a testament to the innovation and resilience that define our community.

So, grab your afternoon cafecito, jump in, and if you enjoy, please forward the newsletter to 5 people! With your support and sharing is how we grow and are able to keep writing these stories every week. ☕️

BUSINESS
Pete Maldonado: Building a $500 Million Better-For-You Snack Empire

Pete Maldonado's journey from snacking on greasy jerky sticks as a kid on Long Island to co-founding Chomps, a health-conscious $500 Million snack brand is a narrative of resilience, innovation, and savvy entrepreneurship. His story is deeply rooted in the immigrant experience with a family history marked by perseverance and the pursuit of the American dream.

From an early age, Pete's ambition was clear. Drawing inspiration from his family's emigration from Colombia to the United States, Pete was deeply influenced by the enduring strength of his grandmother.

After losing her husband to brain cancer, she faced the daunting challenge of raising six children alone in a foreign land with limited English skills. Taking on three jobs to provide for her family, Pete’s grandmother instilled in him a sense of possibility despite hardships.

This legacy of hard work and resilience deeply influenced Pete, shaping his approach to life and business.

Pete's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled in the Hamptons, where, as a personal trainer, he recognized the discord between his favorite gas station snacks and the principles of nutrition and fitness he espoused. This realization sparked an idea: to create a healthy, high-protein meat stick that didn't sacrifice taste for nutritional value.

It was this vision that brought Pete and Rashid Ali together during a serendipitous poker night in Chicago in 2011. Their complementary skills – Pete's knack for big ideas, marketing, and sales and Rashid's prowess in finance and operations–laid the foundation for Chomps.

With a modest $6,500 in initial capital, the duo embarked on a meticulous product development process, prioritizing taste alongside health, fully aware that the success of their venture hinged on the palatability of their product.

The road to success was paved with challenges, from refining the recipe to building a brand from the ground up. They hustled, going door-to-door at CrossFit gyms, collaborating with nutrition influencers, and gradually building a loyal community of CHOMPIANS.

In 2013, Chomps’ first full year in business, the pair sold about $50,000 worth of meat sticks. The following year, their sales doubled to $100,000, and the numbers kept climbing from there.

Their big break came in 2016 when Trader Joe's, captivated by the quality and taste of Chomps, decided to stock their shelves with the product. This partnership catapulted Chomps into the spotlight, significantly boosting sales (tenfold) and brand recognition.

Beyond Trader Joes, today Chomps is sold across thousands of retailers and online, including Whole Foods, Target, Amazon, Walmart, and more–with projections pointing to nearly $500 million in sales for 2024.

Behind these achievements lies a commitment to sustainable, ethical practices, from sourcing 100% grass-fed beef and antibiotic-free turkey to championing regenerative agriculture. Chomps stands as a testament to the belief that business success and ethical integrity can go hand in hand.

Chomps' rise, led by Pete Maldonado, underscores the dynamic role of Latino heritage and immigrant resilience in converting a niche idea into substantial business success.

CULTURA
From Brooklyn to Sundance: A Queer Latina Filmmaker’s Journey to the Top Prize

Alessandra Lacorazza, a queer Colombian-American filmmaker from Brooklyn, recently made history at the Sundance Film Festival by becoming the first Latina to win the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Directing Award for her feature debut, "In the Summers."

This achievement places her as the third Latinx director to take home the festival's top honor, marking a significant milestone not only in her career but also in the representation of Latina and queer identities in cinema.

"In the Summers," a narrative rich in themes of migration, alienation, community, and resilience, explores the complex dynamics of two Latina sisters and their relationship with their father over the formative summers spent in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The film stars René Pérez Joglar, famously known as Residente (Who we previously covered on Minority Majority), in his first acting role, alongside performances by Lío Mehiel and Sasha Calle.

Lacorazza's personal and cultural memory infuses the film, offering a poignant look at the intricacies of familial bonds through the lens of her own heritage and identity.

Driven into filmmaking by the 2008 recession's impact on traditional career paths, Lacorazza has since embraced the medium as a tool for exploration and expression. Her work, including "In the Summers," aims to provide nuanced portrayals of life's complexities, steering clear of binary perspectives to highlight the myriad shades of human experiences.

Prior to “In the Summers,” her short film "Mami" garnered attention at its world premiere at Palm Springs ShortFest 2019 and continued to make waves as an official selection at prestigious festivals including NALIP, New York Latino Film Festival, Durban Film Festival, and Nitehawk Shorts.

Her editorial work, celebrated for its focus on queer and Latinx narratives, has not only been showcased at various festivals and in online publications but also received recognition in the form of an Oscar shortlist for "After Maria."

In addition to her personal projects, Lacorazza contributes to the broader community through her role as a worker-owner of the Meerkat Media Coop, where she directs, produces, and edits videos that aim to make a meaningful impact, serving foundations, news magazines, publishers, and non-profits.

Her triumph at Sundance places her alongside previous Latinx winners such as Victor Nunez and Alfonso Gomez Rejon, enriching a tradition of Latinx excellence in filmmaking. Yet, her win is more than a personal achievement; it represents a beacon of possibility for queer and Latina voices in the cinematic world, highlighting the importance of diverse narratives in enriching the fabric of American film.

IMPACTO
The Entrepreneurial Edge: Why Immigrants and Latinos Outpace in Business Growth

A recent study illuminated a striking trend in the United States: immigrants and Latinos are leading the charge in entrepreneurship, significantly outpacing U.S.-born citizens in starting new businesses.

According to a detailed analysis of federal labor and census data by Robert Fairlie, an economist at UCLA, immigrants were found to initiate new ventures at over twice the rate of their U.S.-born counterparts in the past year.

This entrepreneurial drive is particularly crucial for immigrants, for whom starting a business not only represents a path to financial prosperity but often a necessary step for those without the legal status to be employed traditionally. Their efforts contribute substantially to the U.S.'s economic dynamism, challenging the negative stereotypes frequently associated with immigrants during political discourse (especially a Presidential Election Year).

Approximately 670 out of every 100,000 immigrants, or 0.67%, embarked on new business ventures monthly in 2023. This contrasts with an average of 0.35% across the entire adult population, highlighting the significant entrepreneurial inclination among immigrant communities.

Latinos, in particular, showcased a remarkable propensity for business ownership, with 600 out of every 100,000, or 0.6%, starting new businesses, dwarfing the rates of other racial and ethnic groups.

Despite facing longstanding barriers in accessing capital comparable to their white counterparts, Latino entrepreneurs have begun to see a shift. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that federally-backed loans to Latino-owned businesses reached a record $3 billion in 2023, doubling in just two years.

The economic impact of Latino-owned businesses is substantial, contributing $800 billion annually to the U.S. economy. According to a Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship report, the median growth rate for Latino businesses from 2019 to 2022 was 25%, significantly outpacing the 9% growth rate of businesses owned by white non-Hispanics.

This data not only challenges misconceptions about immigrant and Latino communities but also underscores their critical role in driving the U.S. economy forward through innovation, determination, and an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit.

Check out the full original report on Axios: Immigrants and Latinos are most entrepreneurial in U.S., study finds

EN LA COCINA

How to Make: Dominican Mangú

Mangú is a beloved traditional Dominican dish made from mashed plantains, a staple of Dominican cuisine known for its simplicity, comfort, and heartiness. It’s most popular as part of a breakfast dish called “Los Tres Golpes”, which includes Mangú, Salami Frito, and Queso Frito. However, it’s also commonly used as a side-dish that pairs well with red meat or chicken.

Here’s a recipe you can try at home:

Ingredients:

For the Mangú

• 4 green plantains

• 4 cups of water (for boiling)

• Salt (to taste)

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter

• Optional for serving: sautéed onions, fried cheese, fried salami, and/or eggs

For the Red Onion Garnish:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons of vinegar (apple cider or white)

• 2 tablespoons of water

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Plantains:

   • Peel the plantains by cutting off the ends and making a lengthwise slit through the skin. Use your fingers to separate and remove the skin.

   • Cut the plantains into roughly 2-inch chunks.

2. Cook the Plantains:

   • Place the plantain chunks in a large pot and add enough water to cover them. Add a pinch of salt.

   • Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the plantains are very tender.

3. Make the Sautéed Onions (while plantains cook):

   • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they are soft and translucent.

   • Add the vinegar, water, and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Mash the Plantains:

   • Once the plantains are cooked, remove them from the water (reserve some of the cooking water) and mash them in a bowl until smooth. If the mixture is too dry, add a bit of the cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

   • Mix in the olive oil or butter, and season with salt to taste. Continue mashing until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.

5. Serve the Mangú:

   • Serve the mangú warm, topped with the sautéed onions. For a traditional Dominican breakfast, accompany it with fried cheese, fried salami, and/or eggs.

Mangú is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Its comforting texture and the tangy flavor of the onions make it a satisfying meal that’s deeply rooted in Dominican culinary tradition. Enjoy your homemade Mangú!

NUESTRO TRIVIA: Last Week’s Answer

Last week, we asked: What is the name of a famous Ecuadorian artist whose work is characterized by its Cubist-styled depictions of Latin American people?

The correct answer is: Oswaldo Guayasamín

Oswaldo Guayasamín was one of Ecuador's most prominent and influential artists, whose work poignantly depicted the human condition, suffering, and injustice through expressive, powerful imagery.

Born on July 6, 1919, in Quito, Ecuador, Guayasamín's art was deeply influenced by his mixed Indigenous and mestizo heritage, which fueled his lifelong commitment to social activism and critique of oppression.

Guayasamín’s work spans painting, sculpture, and muralism, earning him significant honors, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic from Spain and the Order of Merit from Ecuador

His most renowned project, La Capilla del Hombre ("The Chapel of Man"), stands as a monumental tribute to Latin America's indigenous roots, history, and enduring spirit of resistance against colonization and tyranny.

His legacy endures through the Fundación Guayasamín, which preserves his home, studio, and a vast collection of his artwork, serving as a beacon of cultural and social reflection.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: This Week!

Question: What is the tallest waterfall in the world and in which Latin American Country is it located?

Reply with your guess! Answers will be revealed in the next newsletter!

RIEGA LA VOZ

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