'I could be doing more honestly': Latina businesswoman hopes to expand her Austin empire
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gabriela Bucio, Austinite and Latina business owner, has been sharing her Mexican heritage throughout the city since she established her first restaurant Gabrielas Downtown in 2018.
"I was born in Michoacán, Mexico. I moved to the states when I was about 5 years old," Bucio said.
From Michoacán to Austin, Bucio decided this was the place to establish and grow her business.
"I am first generation here, I don't come from money. I don't have generational wealth. I started my business with whatever I could," Bucio said.
Bucio said she did not expect to see so much success when she first opened up Gabrielas Downtown.
"When I opened Gabrielas Downtown, I just wanted to work with my family and maybe make a living. I didn't think we would own so many," Bucio said.
Bucio did not stop at opening just one restaurant. After seeing success by opening up a variety of different restaurants, she also decided to go into the entertainment industry.
"I now have two Gabrielas. I have the super 'Instagramable' all-pink restaurant, Taquero Mucho. I have two of those. I have a coffee shop, a churreria. Five nightclubs — we are in Houston also — and Seareinitas, a seafood restaurant. So, I have about five nightclubs and seven to eight restaurants, and I started five years ago," Bucio said.
When stepping into a restaurant owned by "Gabriela's Team" like La Seareinita, you can experience a Hispanic feminine touch.
"It's a seafood spot and usually it would be like a captain or a pirate but, I wanted it to be super feminine energy. Our clubs and most of our businesses are ran by a woman. We put the girls in charge," Bucio said.
The entrepreneur said the dishes at her restaurants are inspired by food she was raised on.
"My brother Arturo is the one in charge of the kitchens. A lot of them are inspired by dishes that we grew up eating and it is just a lot of home recipes," Bucio said.
Bucio and her family have developed an empire with over 600 employees, that includes a private social media and marketing firm and business locations in two Texas cities. However, she said the path to success was never easy.
"Some people do try to discredit me just because I am a woman of color," Bucio said.
The entrepreneur said despite the hate she has received, she is proud of all of her hard work and proud of her heritage.
"I am super proud to be a Latina. I am super proud to be Mexican," Bucio said.
Bucio expressed her passion for her work in Austin and said she is not done yet.
"I can work all day, you know, I am at home thinking about work, it is just really fun for me. I feel like I could be doing more honestly. I am really proud of everyone that helps us, everyone that supports us, and I am really grateful," Bucio said.