Latinx and Hispanic culture and the community’s impact and contributions made to American society are celebrated each year, with Hispanic Heritage month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 18. This month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of multiple Latin American nations. The community comes together to reflect on Latinx and Hispanic stories that have inspired and shaped the nation and enriched communities across the country.
Entrepreneurs from Greater Gainesville’s Latinx and Hispanic communities share their stories, cultures and pride:
Feliz Flavors Ice Cream
The words, “feliz” and “ice cream” are practically interchangeable, and the proof can be found in the success story of husband-and-wife duo Joshua and Jasmine Broadhead and their small-batch ice cream truck, Feliz Flavors.
The two ran a successful after-school program teaching the Brazilian art of capoeira pre-pandemic, but when Covid hit, the two knew they needed to come up with a plan.
With Joshua’s culinary background and Jasmine’s Cuban and Argentinian descent, Feliz Flavors was born, serving more than just ice cream. From the ice cream truck vendor to the rainbow sprinkles strewn over a scoop of brigadeiro, it is an experience and a trip down memory lane.
With flavors including mantecado, fresa and guayaba, Feliz offers flavors that are truly unique in Gainesville. For some, this may be a new introduction to a flavor like guanábana, but for many, these flavors offer a familiar taste of childhood.
“Our mission is to explore happiness on a couple different levels,” Broadhead said.
The small-batch Latin-inspired ice cream truck has lent support and comfort to the community through their vibrant ice cream flavors and friendly staff, and after this past year and a half, everyone could use a scoop of ice cream.
Find Feliz over at 4th Avenue Food Park.
The Best Restoration
Jorge Villalobos and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale from Bogota, Colombia in 1999. Five years later, the Villalobos relocated to Gainesville in pursuit of better education opportunities for their children and to further wife Suzie Villalobos’ career in medicine. Suzie had been a medical doctor in Colombia, and upon moving to Gainesville, she began attending nursing school at Santa Fe College.
Villalobos began his journey working with several cleaning companies in the area, and with his gained knowledge and the realization of the potential to make an impact in a town where more than 130,000 people reside, he was able to start up his own business. From humble beginnings and one van in 2006, Villalobos has since built his services into an auspicious business providing water extraction services, mold remediation, carpet and tile cleaning and more.
Supporting local, and especially supporting local POC-owned businesses, makes an impact on the community and on the lives of those who built their business from the ground up.
“The Hispanics historically are bringing to this community great energy, honest work and new culture, and in my case, like other Hispanic business owners, the opportunity to help immigrants build careers in different industries and help them build a new life,” Villalobos said.
To contact Villalobos and his team for service, visit thebestrestoration.com.
Each of these stories only scratch the surface of the impact that the Latinx and Hispanic community has made on Greater Gainesville’s businesses and society as a whole, and it is crucial to amplify these stories and support these local business owners year-round.
By Madison Rae