About
When Lisa and Vicente Gutierrez launched Dos Hermanos Taco Truck in 2012, all they had was a borrowed food truck and a dream. With just $2,000 in savings and no formal business education, they decided to give the mobile food truck business a chance. Their brand, authentic Oaxacan-style recipes, and dedication to using the best local ingredients, led to long lines and raving fans. Dos Hermanos Columbus secured contracts to serve at venues including Lower.com Field, and the Greater Convention Center. Today, Dos Hermanos holds contracts with Levy Restaurants and Aramark. Since expanding from a food truck to 4 brick-and-mortar locations, guests can now frequent Dos Hermanos at Easton Town Center, North Market Downtown, North Market Bridge Park, and Food Fort 2.0.
Throughout Lisa and Vicente’s growth, team EDCI has supported Dos Hermanos every step of the way. ECDI is the nation’s largest U.S. SBA microloan intermediary with a mission to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change. ECDI provides responsible, affordable lending and comprehensive small business development services to meet the needs of and help underbanked people and communities join the economic mainstream. Team ECDI assisted Lisa in growing Dos Hermanos from a side hustle to over 3 million dollars in annual revenue through their one-stop shop business model and innovative incubation services.
Today, team ECDI has greatly helped Dos Hermanos by creating Food Fort 2.0, a building with a commissary kitchen that, in addition, offers professional amenities. Food Fort 2.0 was an essential key in keeping the business open in midst of the pandemic. Research revealed that Food Fort 2.0 was located in a food desert, in which the nearest large retail grocer was Kroger, 2.8 miles away, and it took 45 minutes to get to by bus. The pandemic helped strengthen a relationship between Dos Hermanos and its community. Dos Hermanos provided fresh, local ingredients, in addition to its food, and the community helped in supporting the business.
Lisa currently serves on the Mobile Food Vending Board for the City of Columbus. Her passion is serving others through public speaking and mentoring. Her ability to grace the stage as both a keynote and panelist speaker has allowed Lisa to share her journey about the struggles and wins of entrepreneurship. Lisa currently operates a public speaking business and coaching programs through her businesses, Lisa G. Speaks and Food Truck Millionaire.
To request Lisa to as a keynote or panelist for your next event, fill out the Speaker Request Form below and you will be contacted within two business days.
To hear Lisa's story was inspiring! When she spoke for the Women's Business Centers group for business owners, I was immediately impressed with her ability to be relatable and share the realities of entrepreneurship in an authentic and vulnerable way.
-Whitney L. Barkley, M.S.
