Meet Erika Guilherme Flores: Brigadeiro maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Guilherme Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, how do you think about risk?
I always believed that my appetite for risk wasn’t very considerable. However, the day I decided to come to another country on my own, I was open minded to another culture. I had to learn the language, different habits and customs, and that day my perspective started to change. With a financial advisor background, I always knew that taking risks can be a way to achieve better results, but it is not always easy to take risks and be okay at the end of the day. Moving to another country was already a big move for me, but I knew I could always go back. Opening my own business in another country was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken in my professional career. Even though it might be the way to freedom, it is also scary and challenging, and you will only know if it is worth it or not if you do it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career back in Brazil was built in a financial corporation where I learned a lot. Even though I had a great potential to keep building my career in the corporate world, I always wanted to have my own business. When I came to San Diego in 2014, this idea of being my own boss had grown more and more… and a few years later, Obrigaderia was born in 2018. Many challenges have crossed my path thus far, and a new business requires a lot of work especially when the product is not yet well known in a new market. Brigadeiros are still being introduced into the American culture, so it takes time to create awareness and build clientele. Additionally, starting a new business is a learning process, which you are never 100% prepared for, so you make mistakes over and over again, you sacrifice having a steady income or any income for awhile, and as a small business owner you do a bit of everything and never clock out. On the other hand, I am so proud of how much we have achieved in two years and also for being the first brigadeiro vendor within the San Diego community, at farmers market and shops. We couldn’t be more happier about it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, San Diego has so much to offer and wonderful places to eat and visit that it is impossible to do it all in a week. But… My itinerary would definitely have beaches, sunsets, happy hour, food for sure, I love to eat and San Diego has great places to indulge yourself, a tour at farmers market to explore local made products, enjoy a little bit of Baja California as well, hikes and enjoy the outdoors. As far as places to eat, it is difficult to choose only one… I love grabbing tacos from Kiko’s food truck or Fridas at the farmers market. Mediterranean food from Shawarma Guys food truck or Alforon. Russian food from Pomegranate. Stuffed hash-brown from The Brazilian Guys. The best lemonade from Big Squeeze. Queenstown food is delicious. Love the wineries in Valle Guadalupe, Baja California And the list goes on and on.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well, there isn’t only a person or a book that deserves credit and recognition in our story. It is a combination of great people by my side helping and supporting the business such as my husband, family, friends and our mentor. Our customers’ play a huge part in our journey too, because without them our business wouldn’t be possible. Lastly, I love getting inspired and motived listening to a podcast called “How I built this”, and watching tv shows such as “Shark Tank” and “The profit”.

Website: https://obrigaderia.com/
Instagram: obrigaderiasandiego
Facebook: @obrigaderiasd
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/obrigaderia-san-diego
Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/obrigaderiasd/