Meet Irayda Flores | Business owner and civic leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Irayda Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irayda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During the years I have been in the United States looking for my American dream contributing to the economy and community of this country, I always wanted to create a project that would connect me with my roots of which I will always be proud and I will never forget the roots I grew up with.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
For many years I have worked in the seafood business, importing fresh seafood from Guaymas, Sonora (wholesale/retail) with seafood market locations in the valley where customers go and buy fresh seafood directly from the Ocean. Today I am in the project of importing my new Bacanora brand, a cultural and artisanal alcoholic beverage that comes from the wild agave of Sonora, something that really connects me with my roots. I was born and raised in Sonora, Mexico, where I have seen agave and Bacanora production all my life. Now I am very proud to present my own brand “Sutucame Bacanora” which gives me the opportunity to make my culture and roots known, generate jobs and help indigenous communities in the Sonora region. 20% percent of the net profits from my brand will go to indigenous children from the mountain hills of Sonora and to women who are aspiring to start their new businesses.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Arizona for over 20 years has been fun, even though many complain about the heat, I like and enjoy summers a lot and when someone visits me from Mexico for a weekend I always find places with incredible views, Payson, Sedona, Flagstaff are my favorite places and even when I’m in the city we have places to go to eat or hiking with wonderful views. I always choose restaurants in Sedona and Lake Pleasant.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My career as an entrepreneur has not been an easy road. For many years I lived in the shadows because I did not have legal residency in the United States. I had to renew my work permit with the risk that the immigration department would deny my case and then I could be deported. I met people like Glenn Hamer, who at that time was the president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce he opened doors for me in the politics and business world. He helped me to connect with the right people and organizations that supported me on my immigration case, like congressmen, the lawyer who represented my case. I will always be grateful to them because now I feel that I have wings to fly, grow in business and generate more jobs. My clients are the key to my success. Thanks to them, I have grown in the seafood industry, I always celebrate with them “Dia de Acción de Gracias” (Thanksgiving’s Day) in a great party that I organize “Thanksgiving event” among incredible partners (donors, small business and volunteers) who helps and makes this happen for now 10 years. We have a big party with live music in which we give away breakfasts and turkeys to less fortunate families in the Maryvale area for the Thanksgiving dinner.
Dale Grey and Max Rumbaugh, members of the Scottsdale Rotary Club, supported me in founding the first and only Hispanic Rotary Club in the United States. I was the first president of the club and worked on great projects for our communities.
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Website: https://www.SutucameBacanora.com

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Other: https://www.PescaderiaPuertoGuaymas.com

Image Credits

My family, friends and “El Club Rotario de Phoenix”