Winter Haven Couple Brings Healthy Treats to the Neighborhood

CRAVE Mis Antojitos Mexicanos of Polk County

In the heart of Winter Haven, a husband-and-wife team, Isaura Lara and Kevin Mendoza, turned their love for açaí bowls into a thriving business that’s delighting the local community with fruit bowls, smoothies, mini pancakes, aguas frescas, and more delicious quick bites.

Kevin, co-owner of CRAVE Mis Antojitos Mexicanos, shared how the idea came to life: “The reason why we decided to launch this business was, we love açaí bowls, so we always used to drive all the way to Orlando to go get açaí bowls. We’re 30 minutes away and we were like, I think we should bring something like this to our neighborhood. I felt like people would love it and we would probably be the only ones around the neighborhood to have something like this,” Kevin said. “They’re delicious, and they’re premium bowls, everything we have is organic as far as all our bases go,” he added.

With no similar options nearby, the couple saw a unique opportunity to introduce healthy, refreshing treats to their neighborhood—and the community responded with enthusiasm.

To ensure a strong launch, the duo turned to the Florida SBDC at USF and business consultant Randy Hayes. With Randy’s help, they developed a solid business plan, gained financial clarity, and implemented smart marketing strategies that helped them build momentum from day one.

“Florida SBDC at USF helped us, we were having trouble at first trying to see how we were gonna launch our business. And it was very difficult for us because we’re like, alright, we have the place already, but we don’t have anything set as far as our name or anything goes,” Kevin said

“So, then she decided to get things rolling with Randy. Ever since then, he’s been helping us step by step. We didn’t have to worry about anything. He just got us through every little process, which is very helpful for us ’cause we’re running other businesses as well,” he added, emphasizing the supportive role the SBDC has played throughout their journey.

In the beginning, the couple came across challenges with getting customers to learn about their delicious product, nowadays, they are selling out. “It would be times where we’d have to throw a lot of our fruits away but now, when we sell out and we put sold out, it’s an accomplishment,” Isaura expressed.

Since implementing effective marketing strategies and getting their business active on social media, the business has consistently sold out of product and built a loyal following.

“Our biggest success since opening [the] business – the first day was great. We opened up on Martin Luther King Day and of that parade, we were busy all day and everybody knew we were open,” Kevin said.

Today, the couple is already thinking about expansion and plans to continue leaning on the Florida SBDC at USF for guidance. “Now we’re talking into hiring and looking into a bigger spot because we can only order so much, and a lot of people are like, ‘Hey, you guys are supposed to be stocked,’ but since we, we are in a tight space, we only order what we can store. So we’re looking into, you know, getting a bigger place so when our customers comes, we don’t have to have that sold out sign outside,” Isaura mentioned.

To other entrepreneurs, their message is simple: “I would say to other businesses about Florida, SBDC at USF, that, you could definitely count on them. They’re very trustworthy. If they say they’re gonna do something, they’re gonna come by and actually do it. You don’t have to stress about it,” Kevin explained. “I recommend Randy,” Isaura added.

With passion, planning, and the right support, CRAVE Mis Antojitos Mexicanos is redefining healthy snacking in Winter Haven—one bowl at a time.