Meet the owner

Maria Contreras is the owner of Tienda Y Panaderia Santiago, and has established the business for approximately 11 years. Maria works at the store with her family as a family business. Maria says that the bread she makes is just like being in Oaxaca, MX. Many customers travel from afar to get some of the hot bread she makes fresh daily. Some travel from as far as California, Washington, Salem, and Portland. Maria also sells Piñatas for big or small parties as well as other common Mexican products. Her store is full of Mexican candy to the smell of home-baked Mexican bread.

María Contreras es la dueña de la Tienda y Panadería Santiago es un negocio establecido por aproximadamente 11 años. María trabaja en la tienda con su familia como un negocio familiar. Ella dice que el pan que ella hace es como el auténtico pan Oaxaqueño. Muchos de sus clientes viajan desde lejos para probar el pan fresco y recien sacado del horno todos los días, algunos clientes vienen de California, Washington, Salem y Portland. María tambien vende Piñatas de varios tamanos para las fiestas y algunos productos mexicanos como dulces. El olor del pan recien horneado impregna su panaderia abriendo el apetito.

Sales Increasing

When talking with Maria, she said she had found an increase in sales since she has been using Facebook for her advertising. About 3 years ago, she was asked by customers if she could get other special products from Oaxaca, MX, and she said that she is researching the needs of customers and may need a bigger business as soon as business picks up. Some of the challenges she has faced through the years are when it gets hot outside, and the bread is fresh from the ovens. It’s hard to sell, so she’s thinking of some new ideas to work around some of these challenges for the store.

Cuando platicaba con María, me comentaba que ha notado un incremento en sus ventas desde que está usando el facebook para promocionarse. Aproximádamente desde hace 3 años, sus clientes le han pedido productos especiales de Oaxaca, México, ella está tomando en cuenta esto y piensa que necesita un local más grande para poder seguir satisfaciendo a sus clientes. Uno de los desafíos a los que ella se enfrenta cada año es que en la temporada de calor, el pan no es muy apetecible por lo que esta pensando en nuevas ideas para enfrentar este reto en su tienda.