Caroline Bryant
Features Editor
For sophomore Jacqueline Martinez, what started as a Shark Tank project for her Dynamics/Business and Free Enterprise class with Dr. Silvia Falcon evolved into a family-led, full-time business.
Taqueria del Angel, Martinez’ startup taco restaurant is run by her and her father, Enqrique. Always playing with recipes, her father was the one who gave her the idea of a taco restaurant for her project, as it was a dream he had for himself that he never got to play out.
She made his dream come true. After pitching the restaurant to her class– and having them taste her father’s cooking– Falcon encouraged her to make Angel a reality.
Martinez considers Falcon to be one of her main mentors during this process. Other faculty, like Justin Heacock, Director of the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, who helped her receive her business permit; Adrianna Mellas, who advised her on business financials; and Samuel Romero, who helped create Angel’s branding were key players in Martinez’ launch.
FSC’s business department also connected her with Catapult, a private non-profit in downtown Lakeland dedicated to providing the “resources, programs and space” entrepreneurs need for their startups.
Catapult has given Martinez a rentable space to cook with her father, sell their food and speak with kitchen directors and other specialists. The kitchen director has told Martinez that the restaurant’s sales are higher than average compared to other businesses at Catapult, reassuring her success.
Their recipes are carefully crafted by her father and grandmother, hailing from Mexico. The logo and name “Angel” represent the Angel of Independence in Mexico City.
“When Mexico has something to celebrate, all the people go to the Angel of Independence of Mexico City,” Martinez said. “It’s a meaningful thing for our city and for us, so it’s the ‘Taco of the Angel.’”
Martinez also believes her heritage is what makes her business stand out from competing taco restaurants in Lakeland.
“Our mission is to give the Lakeland community an immersive experience into Mexico City,” she said. “Because we represent Mexico City, I think there is nothing similar to us here and we have authentic recipes that aren’t Americanized.”
As of now, Taqueria del Angel only offers tacos. However, Martinez plans to expand the menu to serve chicken tacos, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
She is also working with the school to create a taco truck by the Becker Business Building.
While Taqueria del Angel’s truck status is unclear, Martinez hopes it will appear alongside Becker’s new upcoming coffee cart.
