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 In Articles, Local Business Tips, Restaurant Marketing, Restaurants

Today marks National Javier Day! Who better to feature than none other than Javier Trujillo Villa, who is the owner of Javi’s Tacos in Omaha, Nebraska, with three locations in the Omaha metro area. His journey to becoming a successful business owner began with a corporate job as a regional manager at a big company in the Midwest, but the COVID-19 pandemic gave him the push to start something of his own. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Javier was determined to make his dream of owning a Mexican restaurant a reality. This article delves deeper into Javier’s story and how he overcame challenges to build a successful business.

Early Influences

Javier’s parents were a significant influence in his life. His father always pushed him to go for what he wanted and stressed the importance of doing things right the first time. His mother inspired Javier’s passion for food. She sold food on the weekends at the church parking lot when Javier was a child. He worked with her, helping her sell food, and this sparked his interest in the food industry. Javier’s experience working at a Hometown Buffet and two Subways while in high school further fueled his passion for the food industry.

Starting Javi’s Tacos

Image: Javier Trujillo Villa pictured with Rory Fulcher

Javier faced many challenges when starting Javi’s Tacos, including limited resources and the skepticism of banks that were unwilling to lend him money to start his business. Ten banks turned him down before he opened his first location. Many people also criticized Javi’s Tacos, saying that it wasn’t “authentic Mexican food.” However, Javier did not let this get him down. He was determined to produce quality food, and he knew that this was more important than being “authentic.”

I was rejected by 10 banks before starting Javi’s Tacos. ~ Javier Trujillo Villa

Since then, Javi’s Tacos has expanded its business with the opening of three locations. The Welch location was the first to open on August 18, 2020, followed by the Lakeside location on March 31, 2021, and the Elkhorn location on August 20, 2022.

Authenticity in Mexican Cuisine

So, what is “authentic” Mexican food, anyway? Javier argues that the notion of “authentic” Mexican food is subjective.

He was not raised in Mexico, and he did not learn much about traditional Mexican food growing up. Instead, his food is influenced by the food that his mother cooked when he was a child, as well as his own creativity and experimentation.

Javier believes that the most important thing is to produce quality food that people enjoy. He is not concerned with being “authentic” or pleasing the critics who insist on a narrow definition of what Mexican food should be.

And Javier challenges those who think they know what authentic Mexican food is. “It’s not nachos, burritos, and tacos”, he said.

The Javi’s Tacos Experience

Javier’s story is an inspiration to other business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. He started with limited resources and faced many challenges along the way, but he was determined to make his dream a reality. Javier’s passion for food, his commitment to quality, and his willingness to take risks have all contributed to the success of Javi’s Tacos. Javi’s Tacos offers a unique experience to its customers. Javier believes in providing excellent customer service and going above and beyond to make sure his customers are happy.

Image: Rory Fulcher and Javier Trujillo Villa of Javi’s Tacos visit with business strategist Joseph Kenney of 316 Strategy Group in Omaha.

Running a successful business requires a lot of hard work, and no one knows that better than Javier Trujillo Villa. Despite his passion for his work, Javier admits that he struggles with time management, often spending more time than he should with customers and getting backed up with other tasks. While he appreciates the enthusiasm that people have for his business, he often finds himself inundated with requests for catering and events, which can take up a lot of his time.

Despite these challenges, Javier has learned to be firm and limit changes after the initial quote, allowing him to stay on top of his workload and continue to provide his customers with the high-quality service that they expect from Javi’s Tacos.

Javi’s on The Go

Javier Trujillo Villa’s success with food trucks didn’t just stop with one truck. In fact, he launched his first food truck, Javi’s on the Go, on September 1st, 2021, and just a few months later, on May 1st, 2022, he opened a second food truck with the same name. The launch of his second food truck is a testament to his success and the demand for his unique style of Mexican cuisine.

a taco truck in omaha

With two food trucks and two mobile units, Javier has a lot of flexibility when it comes to finding the best locations to sell his food. The mobility of his trucks has allowed him to take advantage of events and locations where customers are already gathered, such as festivals, concerts, and farmers’ markets. He’s also able to pivot to different locations depending on the time of day or day of the week, maximizing his potential profits.

The success of both Javi’s on the Go food trucks has further highlighted the importance of being adaptable and willing to take calculated risks in entrepreneurship. Javier’s ability to recognize the demand and seize the opportunity to invest in food trucks has paid off in a big way. By leveraging the advantages of the food truck industry, he has been able to create a profitable business model that continues to thrive.

For aspiring business owners, Javier’s success with food trucks is a great example of how to capitalize on an opportunity and create a successful business. By being open to new ideas and trends, entrepreneurs can position themselves to take advantage of emerging markets. Javier’s experience with food trucks shows that with the right strategy, hard work, and a bit of luck, anyone can turn their passion into a profitable business.

Future Plans

What’s next for Javi’s Tacos? Javier has big plans for the future. He hopes to open more locations throughout the Midwest and eventually expand into other regions. He is also working on a new concept that will combine Mexican food with other cuisines, such as Ice Cream. Javier’s creativity and passion for food continue to drive him, and he is excited to see where the future will take him.

Expanding a brand is never easy, and there are many challenges to be faced along the way. But with the success of Javi’s Tacos, Javier has proven that he has the skills and determination to make it happen. He will need to continue to build a strong team, cultivate customer loyalty, and maintain the high standards that have made his business successful so far.

In addition to expanding the brand, Javier is also committed to giving back to his community. He has organized fundraisers for local schools and regularly donates food to organizations that support those in need. This commitment to social responsibility is an important aspect of the Javi’s Tacos brand, and it sets an example for other businesses in Omaha to follow.

Inspiration for Aspiring Business Owners

Javier Trujillo Villa’s story is one of perseverance and determination, making it a source of inspiration for aspiring business owners. His journey is proof that the road to success is not always smooth and that obstacles can often arise along the way. But with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, it is possible to overcome these challenges and achieve one’s goals.

Javier’s approach to food challenges us to think more broadly about what it means to be “authentic.” Rather than focusing on rigid definitions or cultural stereotypes, Javier emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients, attention to detail, and a passion for cooking. This approach has allowed him to create a unique style of Mexican cuisine that has garnered a loyal following of customers.

The lesson for aspiring business owners is to trust their instincts and follow their own vision, even if it may not fit neatly into existing categories or expectations.

A Story of Perseverance

Javier Trujillo Villa’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and determination. He followed his dreams of owning a Mexican restaurant, despite facing numerous obstacles, and has achieved tremendous success with Javi’s Tacos. His experience offers valuable insights into what it takes to start and grow a successful business, including the importance of perseverance, having a supportive network, and a willingness to take risks.

Image: Quesabirria Tacos is a Mexican dish comprising birria-style cooked beef folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with a side of broth for dipping. The dish has gained popularity in the United States through Instagram and is one of the top sellers at Javi’s Tacos in Omaha.

Javier’s approach to food challenges us to think more broadly about what it means to be “authentic.” He emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients, attention to detail, and a passion for cooking, rather than rigid definitions or cultural stereotypes. This approach has allowed him to create a unique style of Mexican cuisine that has garnered a loyal following in Omaha.

Now go support this locally owned & independent business in Omaha. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

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