Meet Bernie Molina: Author & Mother

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

Hi Bernie, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
Being a business owner is the best thing I could have done as a mother. Firstly, I am proud to know that my son will grow up seeing his mother act as a leader, creative, and go-getter in business. I hope that this teaches him that women are multifaceted. Additionally, as a business owner, I have the flexibility to make my own hours. This allows me to spend more time with my son. I exclusively breastfeed him on demand and plan on practicing extended breastfeeding. I also follow attachment parenting methods in my home. This closeness to my son would not be possible if I was not a business owner. Finally, I hope my example empowers my son to be an entrepreneur as well one day. For instance, I grew up seeing my mother own and operate a bakery. She employed other women in her business. If I had not seen this example, perhaps I would not have had the courage to take the plunge and launch my business less than two weeks after my son was born! Real talk, I was making last-minute decisions while I was in the hospital in labor.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am half Mexican-American, half Salvadoran-American and 100% Latina. I was born and raised in South East Los Angeles. I share this because this SalviMex and LA identity molded who I am as a woman and business owner. I am the author of Herencia Cookbook, which honors SalviMex culture and matriarchs through recipes. My cookbook contains over 65 recipes. I am proud to say that each recipe is preluded by an anecdote about the señora who inspired the dish. My hope is that when others read about the señoras who inspired me, they will think fondly of the señoras who inspired them.

Out of all the señoras who inspired me, none inspired me more than my own mother I would not be the business owner I am today if it were not for my mother’s example. When I was growing up, my mother owned and operated a bakery. Therefore, I am proud to say that, in addition to being a published author, I am a second-generation food entrepreneur.

As a business owner, I’ve learned a lot of lessons, the most important was that i must have courage.  For example, my cookbook is a very personal project and there was a time when I was scared to share it. Now, I am so grateful that I had the courage to take the plunge and go for it! The experience has been so rewarding and I am excited to continue to grow the business, con el favor de Dios.

I also want the world to know the beauty of Salvadoran and Mexican culture. I think there’s so many misconceptions of Mexicans and Salvadorans having beef with each other, and I am here to say we are stronger together. I grew up in a SalviMex household and it was an amazing experience.

Ultimately, I am so excited to share the fusion recipes, delicious flavors, and wonderful memories with everyone!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
La Huasteca in Lynwood for mariachi and margaritas La Pupusa DTLA for amazing loaded yucca fries El Cielito Cafe for delicious coffee and creative latte flavors Compton Health Bar to center ourselves in wellness, recall the ancestral wisdom of our ancestors and ground ourselves in the healing nature of plants. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dani Soloria – compton health bar Daniel of El Cielito Cafe La Pupusa DTLA

Website: herenciacookbook.com

Instagram: instagram.com/herencia_cookbook

Youtube: Herencia Cookbook

Other: tiktok @herencia_cookbook

Image Credits
Elmer Argueta