When Las Cruces resident Silvia Terrazas looked for videos to rent in Spanish, she found none so she created a store to fill that need. In 2000, she obtained financing to open Video Exitos, where she placed a freezer filled with ice cream and the Mexican-style popsicles known as paletas. 

Terrazas noticed the ice cream treats were popular and she decided to learn how to make her own Michoacan-style ice cream and paletas, venturing to the Mexican state of Michoacan to attend an ice cream-making course. She learned how to incorporate the state’s fresh fruit into popsicles and ice cream.

In 2005, Terrazas was ready to expand her business. She went to the nonprofit lender, The Loan Fund, for a loan to construct a building for her new ice cream and treat shop, Paleteria La Reyna Michoacana where she could also sell pinatas, candy, and other Mexican specialty items.

“The Loan Fund has made it easy to get a loan,” said Terrazas, who is viewed as a leader by Las Cruces Hispanic business owners, especially women, for her numerous accolades that include being named a Star Client by the New Mexico Small Business Development Center.

Terrazas’s vision for the business has been realized by the loan she received. The building, which offers indoor and outdoor seating in addition to a drive-through lane, serves customers seeking a dozen flavors of paletas and 19 flavors of ice cream, in addition to aguas frescas, churros, elote, and other Mexican snacks. Check cashing and wire transfer services are also offered.

“Juan Albert is a good person and he’s given me advice, such as when there’s a new program worth considering, or introduced me to people like the Hispanic Chamber,” Terrazas said about her loan officer and business consultant at The Loan Fund. “As a small business owner, you always need to be looking for opportunities.”

Learn more about loans and services offered by the nonprofit lender The Loan Fund.

Visit Paleteria La Reyna Michoacan in Las Cruces.

Article courtesy of The Loan Fund.