La Vinotino Express

“I am very grateful to Veronica from the SBDC at UNF. She is an excellent, efficient, and highly effective advisor, simply the best.”

Yohara Castro came to the Florida SBDC at UNF with a strong background in the food service industry and a clear vision of becoming a business owner. With several years of experience as a manager at Zoe’s Kitchen, Yohara had developed solid skills in staff management, efficient food production, and delivering high-quality customer service. While confident in operational knowledge, she recognized the need for professional guidance to navigate the licensing process and ensure the food truck was fully compliant and ready to open. So she sought the assistance of the SBDC at UNF.

SBDC consultant Veronica Bolado worked closely with Yohara throughout the food truck licensing and permitting process, providing support that enabled a smooth transition from concept to operation. Understanding the importance of establishing a strong financial foundation, Veronica also connected the client with First Citizens Bank, where a business bank account was opened and credit card processing was established. This allowed the food truck to accept multiple forms of payment and operate in a professional and organized manner from day one.

With the proper licenses, banking support, and payment systems in place, the client officially opened the food truck on May 8. By combining industry experience with the guidance and support received through the Florida SBDC at UNF, the client successfully launched the business with confidence. A strong background in managing staff, maintaining efficient kitchen operations, and prioritizing customer service has positioned the food truck for long-term success, and the client is deeply appreciative of the support that helped make this achievement possible.