Pittsburgh University SBDC Client Success Story
With Food Everything is Possible

Violeta Ruiz, owner of Chamo’s Bite, is a mother, a wife, a grandmother, an immigrant, a worker, an excellent cook, and leader in charge of her family. It is not easy to leave one’s home country—it is a gigantic step. She is grateful to be in a country that opened its arms and welcomed her. Learning English was a challenge, but she was able to communicate and move forward. With years of experience in cuisine, blending flavors and adding exotic seasonings to her dishes, she ventured out with a goal—to start her own food business cooking her cuisine filled with flavors from Caribbean, African, Latin and European influences.

“Grateful to Brent Rondon for his patience, guidance, and being responsive to my needs.”

Violeta’s friends in the Spanish-speaking community referred her to the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center and its Spanish-speaking management consultant. She met Brent Rondon, who put the time to guide, teach, and show her how to start her own business, all while she was working and taking care of her family. She spent countless after-work hours learning the steps needed to accomplish her goal. Realizing her drive and determination, family members and even her boss at her current job pitched in to propel her into owning the business.

Through her work and investment, she was able to obtain all the food permits and certifications to be prepared to open her business. With an initial investment of $30,000, she started Chamos Bite LLC, and soon she was a vendor at different festivals, shows, and fairs interacting with the local markets and customers. The acceptance rate has been positive, and the business is generating high revenue. She keeps knocking on doors and filling out applications to be a vendor at any of the region’s business events and gatherings. Her advice to others is: “If I can do it, with no language skills, anybody can do it. What is important is to trust in God, do what you like, be good at it, be persistent, have a dream, and go for it!”