We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenia Rosales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought about opening a business came up since I was little, me and my family used to travel across Mexico very often and we loved talking, and I specifically remember one time asking my dad what was the best idea to own a business, I remember he told me whichever business could be succesfull as long it provides it’s best. At that moment I was around 13 or 14 years old. When I turned 18 I started to work for a restaurant it was a family business and everytime I got passionate and inspired by owning my own business, so ten years later I did it!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
AMEALCO MEXICAN KITCHEN It is not just a restaurant to eat, since I started working in a family restaurant I loved to tell stories about the pictures we had on the walls. When the clients were curious, I loved to tell them the stories about the Aztecs or the most visited places in Mexico and why they are popular. So when I didn’t know something I would ask my dad or investigate, my dad was a Elementary school principal and a teacher at different times, so explaining and telling stories was an easy task for me.
When I began to notice the Curiosity for the Mexican culture, I began to bring handicrafts to the United States, each time I became passionate about supporting, recognizing the effort and the Pride in our culture.
That is what we do in Amealco Mexican Kitchen we are promoters of culture, the name of the restaurant comes from supporting the most popular doll in Mexico, which was born in the town of Amealco de Bonfil, in Querétaro where I am from. The original name of the doll is Lele, but many people call her María, she is native of the Otomí Culture. Otomi patterns are on our cushions, handmade in Amealco, we also have Mayan pottery, Zapotec embroidery and of course our tequila, mezcal, rum and whiskey are artisan products from Mexico.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would spend a few days in nature, maybe hiking Stone Mountain, go to Lake Lannier or a river like Chattanooga. I love nature, I appreciate any place where there is a lake or a beach and I spend the whole day drinking fresh juice or wine, eating fruits and nuts. Which I haven’t done very often since I moved to Atlanta, Georgia last year.

For fun nights out, the Midtown and Buckhead nightclubs are my go-to spots. Perhaps Habitat and El Valle are one of the few that I like. Eating out I love Italian, like Pasta Vino, best Thai food in Norcross, Cuban food with vegetarian paella it’s my bet, or going out to a cafe my current spot is Crema Spresso and Gourmet , there are so many options and I’m still in the process of figuring it out.
Brunch places are the right places for me, the combination of mimosas and french toast is the best!
I love downtowns for a walk and maybe shopping plazas where we can sit outdoors are also one of my favorite activities to go with family and friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to acknowledge my dad, he is the one who has pushed me to do what I am afraid to do. Obviously my whole family too, my three brothers and my mother who have supported me at all times.

Octavio Arredondo, who is a great chef, believes in this project and helped me build confidence in what we have to offer.

A special thanks to organizations like #WeLoveBuHi, Consulate of Mexico and Latin American Chamber of Commerce for supporting our family business. Also powerful women, not to mention a few, Etti Lazarian, Lily Pabian, Maria Peck and Gilda Pedraza for empowering business and women!

And, of course, to God through Jesus Christ, who has supported me in every step forward.

Website: https://amealcomexicankitchen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amealco_atl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amealcoatl/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amealco-mexican-kitchen-doraville

Image Credits
Mezcal Gracias A Dios – Xaime Niembro Uruapan – Charanda Blanco Montaño Family – Zapotecan Loom Embroirery Arañiles Husman – Chiapanecan Potter

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