Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernando Ortega.
Hi Fernando, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I´m a Lawyer by trade (‘93), since 2004, I have been involved as an entrepreneur in corporate projects in Spain and internationally. Founder of Publicatuslibros.com (2004), Ittakus Comunicación (2005), Noticiascadadía (2006).
In 2009, I founded ILOVEACEITE Spain, currently with two international subsidiaries: Kochamoliwe in Poland (2011) and ILOVEACEITE US, in the USA (2016). In 2017, I launched ‘Texas Test’, a food acceleration export program, and in 2018 I founded La Plaza, the first Spain Street Cuisine food truck in Texas, based in San Antonio
Through this year of professional experience, I have been able to combine the knowledge and skills I have obtained in each of the fields I have worked in: Legal, Human Resources, Communications & PR, international business, business and brand development, and online strategies, and sales among others.
My passions include photography and design, I design T-Shirts with my own brand “Vagamundos”, and love travel, writing, and riding my Harley and I´m a long-distance runner.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not. It has been a long-distance race. The United States and, particularly, Texas are completely different than Spain. Not only the way of life. We’re talking about business. This is a huge market, with a lot of rules and a very complicated system.
You need time (and money) to understand the whole picture. Your background, credit score, credit cards, loans… it’s a challenge when you arrive in the US and want to start your own business. No references, no clients, no credit. It’s painful. Of course, adding all the rules about immigration.
You have to prove, daily, that you are a good nonresident ‘alien’ or a good company. All payments are on time, and all clean papers and background but nevertheless, banks or customers don’t know anything about immigration rules and how hard is to be in the States.
After six years operating in Texas, at least, we’re almost Texans!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about the ILOVEACEITE US?
I’m 53 but every single day, I wake up thinking about what is going on today. It’s an adventure. Life is an adventure. As an entrepreneur, I see all my activities as a challenge. I love to learn daily.
I do many different activities daily: I cook, do photography, design, write, sell all our products, community manager… even have a moving service company in San Antonio. What else? I love to be busy but and the same time I love to create; new ideas, projects, etc.
Now I’m focused to develop our catering service. Currently, we´re growing thanks to our clients. They love our passion for food and how we love to share our Mediterranean food culture. Looking back, I’m so proud to say: that I’m free and I´m where I want to be. That’s it!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’m learning to sail at Canyon Lake. I want to sail around the world. When I will be 60, well even I´m thinking of having a house a Mexico, maybe one day. I would like to get to another level of my life.
I will think more to enjoy life than to work. I’m working since I was 20. And I need my time to see the world, know more about other cultures, travel, take thousand of photos and enjoy endless sunsets. I lost my parents in one year. Both passed away really young.
They teach me life it’s too short. I have two sons, 23 and 22. They are the best and actually, they are growing their future. I need to rest up and take time to enjoy my last years on the earth being grateful for all that I have lived.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iloveaceite.us
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iloveaceite
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iloveaceiteus
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/iloveaceite_us
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/iloveaceite
- Other: www.spanishcuisine.us
