Today we’d like to introduce you to William Pinto.
Hi William , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Aris Venezuelan Food was born from a dream and a need: to share with Kansas and Missouri the best of Venezuelan food, the kind that not only nourishes but also connects with the memories and culture of a country full of flavor and joy. It all started with a passion for cooking and the desire to keep our roots alive. We began with effort, putting each recipe into practice from home, remembering how our families prepared arepas, empanadas, cachapas, and tequenos.
Little by little, what started as an idea among family and friends turned into a much larger project: a food truck that would take the true taste of Venezuela to the streets of Kansas. The name “Aris” holds a very special value, as it was the name of my late father. The work is entirely family run; the father handles the mechanics, the mother the menu, the daughter runs the social media, and even friends brought in ideas and contributed in many aspects. From the beginning, our purpose has been clear: for every person that tries our dishes to feel like they are traveling to Venezuela with every bite.
Today, Aris Venezuelan Food is much more than a food truck; It is a hang out space for the Venezuelan, Hispanic, and American community. We have grown thanks to the support of our customers, who have become family, and because of the love for food that motivates us to always give our best.
Our motto summarizes it all: ‘Come, get to know, and enjoy the best of Venezuelan food’.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been an easy road. Starting a business in a new country always brings challenges, and for us it’s been a mix of sacrifice, effort, and a lot of perseverance. From the beginning, we faced obstacles like adapting to a different system, understanding permits, regulations, and food truck logistics, and overcoming the financial difficulties inherent to any new venture.
Another important challenge has been making ourselves known. When we arrived, many people didn’t know what an arepa, a cachapa, or a tequeño was. So, more than selling food, we had to educate, showcase, and charm people into our culinary culture.
But each challenge has made us stronger. We’ve learned that with passion, hard work, and faith in what we do, anything is possible. Today we see the fruits of our efforts, with a clientele that not only enjoys our food, but also supports us and feels part of this story.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My wife, Fanny, and I are professional administrators in Venezuela. We studied and trained with the vision of growing, starting a business, and contributing through our careers. This academic foundation gave us the necessary tools to organize, plan, and understand that every project requires discipline, vision, and perseverance to succeed.
When we arrived in the United States, we had to reinvent ourselves. We decided to combine our professional experience with our passion for gastronomy, and thus Aris Venezuelan Food was born. Everything we learned in college—resource management, strategic planning, financial management, and, above all, teamwork—we directly apply to our business.
Today we can proudly say that our venture is not just a food truck; it’s the result of years of preparation, effort, and dedication, where every decision is made with the mind of an administrator and the heart of an entrepreneur.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think the most important thing is to surround yourself with people who have already taken a similar path and learn from them. A mentor doesn’t always have to be someone famous or unattainable; it can often be a colleague, a local entrepreneur, or even a client who inspires you and gives you good advice.
Getting out, connecting with the community, attending events and fairs, and meeting other entrepreneurs has been very helpful for us. Networking isn’t just about handing out business cards; it’s about building genuine relationships based on respect and collaboration.
We’ve also learned that we must be humble enough to listen and open to constructive criticism. When you approach people with a learning attitude, someone always appears willing to guide you.
In short: my advice is to seek out spaces where entrepreneurs hang out, listen more than you speak, and above all, contribute to others, because real networking works both ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arisvenezuelanfood.com
- Instagram: @arisvenezuelanfood
- Facebook: Aris Venezuelan Food
- Other: Phone: 9133295089
