Latino-owned businesses are the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. and the Greater OKC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said there’s been a boost in businesses owned by young Latino entrepreneurs.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, KOCO 5 spoke with two business owners about their journeys and passion for serving the community.”It’s a mix of fruits, orange juice and serrano,” said Roberto Godinez, chief executive officer of Tizo’s Pops and Ice Cream.Inside Tizo’s Pops and Ice Cream in south Oklahoma City, you’ll find a taste of Mexico.It’s a place where tradition and imagination meet.”We make them with love. You can tell by just looking at them how beautiful they are, it’s like making art,” said Godinez.Godinez said it all started with his grandparents who are from Tocumbo, Michoacan, known as the birthplace of Mexico’s paleta industry.In the 70s, the family moved to Aguascalientes.”In 1973 they opened their first paleteria and nieveria,” Godinez said.Godinez’s father grew up in the shop and learned the trade at a very young age. Opening his own paleteria was always a dream.In 2013, the family moved to Oklahoma City and opened a storefront.”It was Paleteria and Nieveria el gusto Michoacano, it was a very long name,” Godinez said.Just like his dad, Godinez grew up watching him create recipes.“I would see him making all these popsicles, all these flavors without having to look at something,” Godinez said.In 2020, Godinez and his brother took over the businesses and rebranded to Tizo’s.They offer more than 80 flavors with a variety of dairy and vegan options made fresh daily.”It has a slice of gansitio in it,” Godinez said.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppYou’ll find classics like cookies and cream and some more unique flavors, like black beans and shrimp cocktail.”This is a good one where you can see the shrimp,” Godinez said.The popularity of Mexican paletas has grown in the U.S.For Godinez and his family-owned businesses, bringing these traditional flavors to the Oklahoma City community is a dream come true.”I remember how excited we were about this, opening up a business in another country for the first time,” Godinez said.Oklahoma has more than 20,000 Hispanic-owned businesses and in recent years the number of businesses owned by younger Latinos has grown.”Dairy-free snickerdoodle…and we also have our churro cake which is everyone’s favorite,” said Bella Delgado, owner of Que Bella Bakery.Delgado is 21 years old and launched her business at 17, straight out of high school.”It’s really cool to see that other people believe in my business as well that they’re willing to take a chance on me,” Delgado said.Delgado has always had a passion for baking and cooking.But at 14 she learned she was gluten intolerant and thought her dream was over.”I mean, if I can’t eat it, it doesn’t really work,” Delgado said.As someone who loves a challenge, she fed her love for baking by trying new recipes.”Sometimes I would make recipes and I would try one bite and throw them straight in the trash,” Delgado said.Through a lot of trial and error, she found a way to make sweets that are gluten and dairy-free that taste good.”It was the first time I had someone tell me, ‘Oh I haven’t had a pie since I was five years old and this is amazing,’ it just clicked in my head, like, ‘OK this is what I need to do,’” Delgado said.Running a business was new to Delgado.Through a cohort with StitchCrew, she had the opportunity to learn from her mentors and other Hispanic business owners. It gave her the confidence she needed and earlier this year, she opened a shop inside Sailor & the Dock.”Here at the bakery, we do single-serve options,” Delgado said.Delgado offers baked goods from cookies to wedding cakes. As her business has grown, she now has her own commercial kitchen to ensure no cross-contamination.”It’s my own separate area, it’s safe from any gluten, there’s never been any gluten in it before,” Delgado said.As a young business owner, Delgado is grateful for the supportive family and mentors she’s met along the way. Her message to other hopefully entrepreneurs, go for it.”If it’s something you love, and if it’s something that you know is meeting a need, it’s so worth it,” Delgado said.The Latino community continues to be a growing economic force in the state and businesses like Tizo’s and Que Bella Bakery are just a glimpse into what passion and hard work can lead to.Top HeadlinesSUV badly damaged, wedged under dump truck after crash in north Oklahoma CityHurricane Milton: Videos show impacts to FloridaAt least 10 dead as Milton knocks out power to millions and spawns 150 tornadoes across FloridaFormer Oklahoma Congressman outlines how dangerous suspects are tracked downWATCH: Doorbell camera and other videos show storm surge, flooding from Hurricane Milton
Latino-owned businesses are the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. and the Greater OKC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said there’s been a boost in businesses owned by young Latino entrepreneurs.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, KOCO 5 spoke with two business owners about their journeys and passion for serving the community.
“It’s a mix of fruits, orange juice and serrano,” said Roberto Godinez, chief executive officer of Tizo’s Pops and Ice Cream.
Inside Tizo’s Pops and Ice Cream in south Oklahoma City, you’ll find a taste of Mexico.
It’s a place where tradition and imagination meet.
“We make them with love. You can tell by just looking at them how beautiful they are, it’s like making art,” said Godinez.
Godinez said it all started with his grandparents who are from Tocumbo, Michoacan, known as the birthplace of Mexico’s paleta industry.
In the 70s, the family moved to Aguascalientes.
“In 1973 they opened their first paleteria and nieveria,” Godinez said.
Godinez’s father grew up in the shop and learned the trade at a very young age. Opening his own paleteria was always a dream.
In 2013, the family moved to Oklahoma City and opened a storefront.
“It was Paleteria and Nieveria el gusto Michoacano, it was a very long name,” Godinez said.
Just like his dad, Godinez grew up watching him create recipes.
“I would see him making all these popsicles, all these flavors without having to look at something,” Godinez said.
In 2020, Godinez and his brother took over the businesses and rebranded to Tizo’s.
They offer more than 80 flavors with a variety of dairy and vegan options made fresh daily.
“It has a slice of gansitio in it,” Godinez said.
You’ll find classics like cookies and cream and some more unique flavors, like black beans and shrimp cocktail.
“This is a good one where you can see the shrimp,” Godinez said.
The popularity of Mexican paletas has grown in the U.S.
For Godinez and his family-owned businesses, bringing these traditional flavors to the Oklahoma City community is a dream come true.
“I remember how excited we were about this, opening up a business in another country for the first time,” Godinez said.
Oklahoma has more than 20,000 Hispanic-owned businesses and in recent years the number of businesses owned by younger Latinos has grown.
“Dairy-free snickerdoodle…and we also have our churro cake which is everyone’s favorite,” said Bella Delgado, owner of Que Bella Bakery.
Delgado is 21 years old and launched her business at 17, straight out of high school.
“It’s really cool to see that other people believe in my business as well that they’re willing to take a chance on me,” Delgado said.
Delgado has always had a passion for baking and cooking.
But at 14 she learned she was gluten intolerant and thought her dream was over.
“I mean, if I can’t eat it, it doesn’t really work,” Delgado said.
As someone who loves a challenge, she fed her love for baking by trying new recipes.
“Sometimes I would make recipes and I would try one bite and throw them straight in the trash,” Delgado said.
Through a lot of trial and error, she found a way to make sweets that are gluten and dairy-free that taste good.
“It was the first time I had someone tell me, ‘Oh I haven’t had a pie since I was five years old and this is amazing,’ it just clicked in my head, like, ‘OK this is what I need to do,’” Delgado said.
Running a business was new to Delgado.
Through a cohort with StitchCrew, she had the opportunity to learn from her mentors and other Hispanic business owners. It gave her the confidence she needed and earlier this year, she opened a shop inside Sailor & the Dock.
“Here at the bakery, we do single-serve options,” Delgado said.
Delgado offers baked goods from cookies to wedding cakes. As her business has grown, she now has her own commercial kitchen to ensure no cross-contamination.
“It’s my own separate area, it’s safe from any gluten, there’s never been any gluten in it before,” Delgado said.
As a young business owner, Delgado is grateful for the supportive family and mentors she’s met along the way. Her message to other hopefully entrepreneurs, go for it.
“If it’s something you love, and if it’s something that you know is meeting a need, it’s so worth it,” Delgado said.
The Latino community continues to be a growing economic force in the state and businesses like Tizo’s and Que Bella Bakery are just a glimpse into what passion and hard work can lead to.
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