Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlene Nazario.
Hi Karlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Karlene Athena Nazario, I am the owner of Havanabama. Born in Miami, raised Cuban and now living that Bama life in Huntsville, Alabama. My love language has always been acts of service, so it only makes sense that my business be what I love to do for others and that’s cooking. Five years ago, my husband and I decided to move our family of four to Huntsville, Alabama.
Prior to making the move, I knew there wasn’t going to be any Cuban restaurants or bakeries and I was okay with that because I knew how to cook. But I quickly had to learn how to make pastelitos, empanadas, and croquetas so as to fill that void and keep traditions alive for my family.
Bakeries were a big part of my growing up. They are easily accessible in about every other corner in Miami and some of them even open 24 hours. Bakeries were where I had breakfast before school, where we ordered breakfast for on Sundays, heard the local gossip/news, and where we shopped at for birthday parties, get-togethers, weddings, etc.
Once I learned to make them, I would share with just about anyone- neighbors, office staff, teachers, maintenance staff, Pediatrician office, etc. You know how us Hispanics are, we are very giving and if ever anyone comes to the house, you are going to be fed and made Cafecito, no was never an option. It got to a point where people started demanding more and suggesting I make it a business.
Three months after having moved here, we already had a name, Havanabama. I wanted a name that describes who we are= Cuban American (Havana) + in Alabama (bama) and my husband came up with the name on the spot.
I started by visiting local businesses and offering up Flan and Coffee in exchange for Feedback, in what I called “Friday Freebie for Feedback”. I wanted to meet with the locals and see what they thought. Then I got into doing vendors markets and events and offering delivery services.
It has been such a great experience introducing the Huntsville locals with a taste of our Cuban American culture through our food, just as much as it has been exciting to meet fellow Miami or South Floridian transplants and bring to them a piece of home.
Havanabama has an online gift shop where we offer merchandise, household staples, and novelty items. I also feature work from other small businesses throughout the United States to help support and promote them. For example, I have Cuban Bread candles from Albisa in California, I have a Cuban Cookbook/Autobiography from “Just Like Mima” in North Carolina, I have stickers from Guavette in Georgia, artwork from Raised on Cafecito in Miami, and looking to expand and add small businesses from Alabama.
Havanabama is growing and I want to open up a ventanita somewhere here in Huntsville, Alabama. I am looking for something small to start off. In the meantime, I will continue offering delivery services.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of the gig. When you want something bad enough, you make it happen, struggles and all. Juggling starting a new business, while still adjusting to our new home and working a part-time job as a stay-at-home mom isn’t necessarily a piece of cake. One of the biggest things holding me back continues to be the finances. I don’t have the funds to just open up a ventanita like I want to.
After almost 4 years of juggling everything, I had to resign from my part-time job at Just Swim of 10 years, to fully pursue my dreams and give 100% to Havanabama. It was a hard decision to make because it wasn’t just a security blanket, I loved working for my boss and my work families but Havanabama was booming and I needed to give it the proper attention.
I’ve said many times, I feel like I am at the top of a swimming pool, standing on the dive board looking down at the water, at what Havanabama will be. I can see the ventanita, the customers, the community love, the happiness, and I just haven’t made the jump yet. That leap of faith.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Havanabama?
Havanabama is a Cuban American Bakery + Gift Shop. We are a mom-and-pop shop making traditional-style Cuban bakery items; such as Pastelitos, Empanadas, Croquetas, Cuban Coffee, Flan, etc.
What started as a need to keep the tradition alive for my family, became a demand from the locals and the start of this business. There is nothing else like it here and I enjoy not only making the food but being a part of the community and embracing living in Alabama and learning their customs, and supporting local businesses here.
At the Havanabama online Gift Shop, you will find other small businesses that we support and feature; such as Cuban Bread candles, Jose Mart Stickers, La Carreta Cuban Coffee, Imusa Cafetaras, Violetas artwork, etc.
The locals love the Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso and the Cafecito is so good they don’t like to share. I’ve had the pleasure of making food for baby showers, office meetings, birthday parties, and every day, just because orders.
I am proud of how far along Havanabama has come, even if our journey has been slow. I am happy meeting my customers and I enjoy being a part of their celebrations and being there for them in their woes. I thank you for ordering, sharing, shopping, and supporting Havanabama.
Looking forward to finding a home for Havanabama, so stay tuned.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The easiest part of Havanabama is being in the kitchen and cooking. I love food and my love language is food. Growing up, my cherished memories were when I was in the kitchen with my grandmother. She brought the family together and everyone enjoyed eating at her house not just because of how amazing she cooked but because of how she made everyone feel.
There is nothing like walking into a place that feels like home. Havanabama came to fruition when I knew that I can be that place. I enjoy bringing people together and making each person, no matter where they are from, feel welcomed and at home and that’s what I want Havanabama to be = your home away from home.
Whatever you want to do in life, whatever your dreams are. Go for it. No matter how slow or fast your journey, enjoy it. Make mistakes, ask for help. If you love what you are doing, it won’t feel like work. But you won’t ever know if you don’t try. And trying sometimes puts you into the unknown, and it can be scary and you’ll question what you are doing, but remember why you started and you will pull through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.havanabama.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havanabama.hsv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Havanabama/
Image Credits
Clo Photography
