A Business Pitch Opportunity Wins
On July 9, 2019, Entrepreneurship Center client Gustavo Diaz, owner of the Exotico Colombian Coffee Company, attended a casting call for the television show Shark Tank, hosted by the EC and the Jacksonville Urban League. After a chance encounter with EC Director Thomas B. Waters, Mr. Diaz started to pitch. He introduced himself, alternating speaking Spanish and English. He said he was born in Colombia and, after coming to the United States with just a few dollars in his pocket, he was able to secure a job as a painter and survive by living in his car and eating $5 fast-food meals.
Fast forward, Mr. Diaz now owns a painting and drywall company as well as the Exotico Colombian Coffee Company. The product line consists of the first Colombian coffee products developed and made in the U.S. It also includes coffee products designed with an innovative delivery system for hotels. He also developed, and is producing, canned Colombian coffee beverages. Targeting major national store shelves, Mr. Diaz sought assistance with access to capital and marketing from the JULEC. In addition to those services, he is also benefitting from various training, coaching, and networking opportunities.