Christopher Navarro - Sabor a Mexico
Interview by Ananya “Anna” Ramesh
What is your business?
Our business is named Sabor a Mexico. We are a family owned business on a mission to put flavor back into salsa using authentic family recipes that celebrate the unique flavors of Mexican cuisine. Currently we sell our product at different farmers markets across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. We also sell through our website and have recently launched a monthly subscription box.
Why did you choose to start this business and what inspired you?
My family has always been around food. My grandma had a taqueria called “Intertacos” in Mexico City which is where my dad first found his love of food. When we immigrated to the U.S. in 2002 we had the opportunity to operate a local Taqueria inside a Mexican grocery store in Glendale Heights. During that time people would travel from as far out as Chicago to eat our food. Some of the favorites were recipes that my grandma had made for the original restaurant back in Mexico.
Unfortunately about a year into it the grocery store changed ownership and we weren’t able to continue with the restaurant. Fast forward to 2023, my dad was laid off and after working different odd jobs we decided to jump back into the food space but this time with something that could be more scaleable. We always felt that the salsa space was not being represented in the best way in stores and even at most Mexican restaurants around. The salsas lacked flavor, or just weren’t spicy and we were confident that we could create a better product.
Why did you choose to start this business and what inspired you?
Were there any mentors or influences that helped you along the way?
Being a family owned business we’ve been able to influence one another throughout this first chapter of our business. On the other end, I have been fortunate enough to have worked at a couple of different places that were in different stages (established & a start-up) and through my experiences there I was able to learn how I wanted my business to run as well as things that I wanted to avoid it.
More recently I’ve been able to connect with some mentors through a local accelerator in Chicago (Good Food Accelerator) that have been really helpful at helping plan for the next stage of our business.
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Being a family owned business we’ve been able to influence one another throughout this first chapter of our business.
Were there any mentors or influences that helped you along the way?
Are there resources at UIC that have helped you with your business?
There are definitely resources at UIC that can help someone with a business, regardless of what stage they’re in. Due to my schedule, juggling full time work, part time school and a business on the side I was never able to take advantage of those opportunities but I will always mention the Venture Series that is run by Steve Bob. From my one time attending I can confidently say that his program should be a no-brainer for anyone looking to jump into entrepreneurship.
Are there resources at UIC that have helped you with your business?
What is your major, and has this major influenced your business, or has your business influenced your major?
My major is Business Administration. When I chose this major I didn’t have any plans for having my own business but things have obviously changed since then. I’ve been able to take a lot of things that I’m learning in this program and directly apply them to our business.
What was one of the highlights of your business so far?
The biggest highlight so far was able to celebrate our first anniversary at all of the markets we attended this Summer season. Around 20% of businesses don’t make it past the first year so getting to share this accomplishment with the people who have gotten us this far was really special for my family and I.
Do you plan to continue your business after graduation?
Yes! I’m looking forward to graduating in the Spring of 2026 and continuing to grow Sabor a Mexico.
What is your major, and has this major influenced your business, or has your business influenced your major?
What do you hope for your business to turn into in the future (what’s the “big dream”) ?
We have plans to expand into retail, release new flavors and grow our product line to make Sabor Mexico is the go-to brand in the Mexican Food and Salsa category across the country. Since our launch we have sold over 17,500 salsas, I look forward to one day (hopefully in the near future) where we will celebrate our 1,000,000th salsa sold.
Aside from the financial success I want this business to create a positive impact in every way imaginable. One goal is to have Sabor be a cultivator for other talent, especially within the minority community. As an immigrant, all we’ve ever wanted was a chance to prove ourselves and I would love to be that “chance” for someone else to achieve their dreams. Another goal for my family is to be able to share the success of this business by partnering with organizations that support Latino/a immigrants and giving back that way
Ananya "Anna" Ramesh
UIC Honors Class of 2026
Major in Political Science, English, Pre-Law Track