Entrepreneur
A photo story from the Fences: Faces of Migration Photojournalism Workshop
Alex Hernandez comes from Mexico City; he crossed the border in 2006 with a group of 300 people. “It was just faces all around me as we crossed the border. I decided to go to the states after my mother passed. I went straight to Detroit after crossing to start working,” says Hernandez. He stuck with what he knew - cooking.
“I grew up learning how to cook from my mother. I have no formal training. I just do what I know and make a living off of it. Isn’t that the American dream?” says Hernandez as he chopped tomatoes in his food truck. Techno music vibrates the truck as he moves from one end to another. “I do not really stand still. Music keeps me going and keeps the day flowing.”
“I built this thing all by myself," says Hernandez, referring to the truck. "Started in the winter, and just kept adding to it. I bought supplies from Craigslist, and picked up random things here and there. I do everything, it runs on two generators. The bigger one can last until 5pm, and the smaller one can last until closing at 7pm. I drive this home every night to make sure no one gets into it." Hernandez has had some help running the food truck, but since his last employee left recently, he is once again looking for help.
“This food truck is my baby, and I need help to run it during the lunch hour. It can get pretty busy and people tip well,” said Hernandez as he wiped down a table after a small rush of eight people.
The future of Los Jalapeños is bright. “I want to open my own business in Midland, and I’m also planning on going to different factories in the area to feed people during lunch shifts. Compared to everyone else in the area, I am doing well. I have 5 star ratings online, and people come in sometimes weekly. That sort of loyalty is what makes me thrive in this town.”
Photos and Story by Rachel Harrison
