Today we’d like to introduce you to Julio Garcia
Hi Julio , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has been anything but conventional, and it’s been full of challenges that have shaped me into who I am today. I started by helping my parents grow our family’s restaurant, Doña Jacky, from a small 340-square-foot snack shop to a full-scale restaurant. In our first year, we achieved $352,000 in sales, and by the second year, after moving to a larger location, we reached $800,000 and were on track to hit $1.5 million. Through this experience, I developed a deep passion for helping small, family-owned restaurants and businesses not only survive but thrive.
During this journey, I also launched my digital marketing agency, Foodies Forward Agency, focused on helping family-owned restaurants build a strong online presence and connect with their communities. My commitment to supporting these businesses extended further with the creation of Foodies Forward, a community network that brings restaurant owners together to learn, support one another, and pay it forward to their communities.
Then came Julio The Foodio, my personal brand. With my family, I visit small family-owned restaurants, share our experiences without ratings, and pray for each business, spotlighting them to showcase their unique stories. Through social media, particularly TikTok, we’ve grown a community of people passionate about discovering hidden gems and supporting local businesses.
These experiences led me to write my first book, From Profit to Prosperity: A Restaurant Owner’s Financial Guide, where I share the financial strategies and insights I’ve gained to help other small business owners. And soon, I’ll be releasing a second book dedicated to restaurant marketing strategies. This upcoming book will dive deep into the same strategies I used to grow our family business, focusing on helping restaurant owners maximize their marketing budgets and connect authentically with their communities.
It’s been a journey of purpose and growth, and today, I’m incredibly grateful to work with small business owners, giving them the tools to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. From the start, I faced challenges that shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. Growing up, my family dealt with a lot of financial stress and personal conflicts. As a teenager, I had to take on responsibilities beyond my years, juggling school, multiple jobs, and the constant pressure to help keep our family afloat. Losing my father temporarily due to deportation and then working long hours to support my family taught me resilience, but it also took a toll.
One of the hardest moments was when I started our family’s snack shop, Doña Jacky. Building a business from scratch with little experience meant long hours, learning curves, and handling everything from licensing to marketing on my own. And when success started coming, it brought new tensions with my family over how to manage the growth and finances. Ultimately, that led to me stepping away, which was heartbreaking. But even when I walked away, I felt compelled to help when I saw the business struggling without the systems I’d set up, so I came back and brought new ideas, which helped get us back on track.
Another challenge was the emotional and financial toll of personal betrayals within my family, which tested my values and my ability to forgive. Despite everything, those difficult times clarified my purpose and why I wanted to help small businesses and communities, especially through Foodies Forward. From personal hardships to business struggles, each experience taught me something valuable, and those lessons have allowed me to create a supportive community and share my knowledge with others who are just starting.
We’ve been impressed with Foodies Forward, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Foodies Forward is dedicated to uplifting small, family-owned restaurants by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. We specialize in digital marketing, financial planning, and community-driven initiatives tailored specifically for small food businesses. My team and I work with clients on everything from website creation and social media management to strategic financial guidance—all designed to help them grow sustainably while connecting with their communities.
One of the things that truly sets Foodies Forward apart is our community focus. We’ve built a platform where restaurant owners not only get professional support but also feel encouraged to give back. Through our Pay It Forward initiative, for example, customers can prepay for meals that go to people in need. Additionally, we’ve created a network of workshops and resources that make financial management and marketing accessible to owners without formal business training.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Foodies Forward isn’t just about business; it’s about community and resilience. I believe that when small businesses succeed, they make the community stronger—and that’s at the core of everything we do. We want readers to know that Foodies Forward is here as a partner on their journey, whether it’s through our digital marketing agency, our workshops, or the supportive community we’re building. We’re passionate about helping restaurant owners not only survive but truly prosper.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories was selling flans, jellos, and desserts door-to-door in apartment complexes around Dallas. Back then, I was known as “El Güero de las Gelatinas,” and it was my first taste of entrepreneurship. I’d walk around with a cooler full of treats, connecting with people and learning the basics of business. It wasn’t just about selling; it was about building relationships with neighbors and seeing the joy that something as simple as a dessert could bring. That experience shaped my love for connecting with others and laid the foundation for my journey in business.
Pricing:
- From Profit to Prosperity” Book: $7.99 on Amazon A comprehensive guide for restaurant owners to manage their finances, increase profits, and build a sustainable business.
- Foodies Forward Network Membership: $10 per month Gain access to workshops, networking opportunities, marketing strategies, and a supportive community dedicated to small, family-owned restaurants.
- Foodies Forward Agency Services: Starting at $150 per month Our digital marketing services specialize in social media management and ad campaigns for family-owned businesses, especially small restaurants.
- Simple Website Setup for Small Businesses: $500 A four-page website (Home, About, Services, Contact) with SSL, hosting, and maintenance at $30 per month.
- Social Media Management & Ad Services: $200 per month Includes 3-4 posts per week, reputation management, and ad management with personalized campaigns.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliothefoodio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliothefoodio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliothefoodio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliothefoodio
Image Credits
@juliothefoodio
