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Business with Purpose Podcast EP 105: Cecilia Polanco, So Good Pupusas

Business with Purpose Podcast EP 105: Cecilia Polanco, So Good Pupusas

I love cultural history. I love it. I soak up details and facts and information about the history of different cultures anytime I can. I listen to podcasts, I read blogs, watch documentaries, and when I meet someone from a different culture–especially if they are a seasoned person, if you know what I mean–I ask questions. Or if I meet an older person, from my own culture–I ask questions. I think that’s why I loved volunteering in a nursing home when I was in college.

I love hearing stories and details about people’s lives, especially when it comes to their culture. Now this is especially true when it comes to food. Every culture, every family, has that recipe, or that dish, or that particular food that has been passed down for generations. You know exactly what I am talking about. There’s been a movement recently, of younger generations wanting to make sure that the trades and tricks and techniques and such from different cultures are being carried on or passed down. There’s even a whole Youtube channel now, of Italian grandmas sharing their signature pasta recipes because their grandchildren don’t want the techniques to get lost.Now today’s guest is not only carrying on the traditions of her family and her culture, but she is doing it in such a way that it is impacting the next generation to come, in a way you’d never imagine. My guest this week is Cecilia Polanco, the founder of local Durham food truck, So Good Pupusas, and its non-profit partner, Pupusas for Education. Now, if you’re not local to the Raleigh/Durham area, you are probably wondering, why would I bring on a local food truck owner onto the show?

While Cecilia’s story of how she went from a university scholar to the owner of a food truck with a mission is absolutely incredible. I told her this during our interview, that I want to be her when I grow up–and I’m older than her so–without further ado, onto my chat with Cecilia.

What is a Pupusa?

They are the staple Salvadorian food–a thick tortilla with stuffing on the inside–often eaten on special occasions. For Cecilia, they represent nostalgia and connection to home. They are a way to keep Salvadorian culture alive through culinary tradition.

A Family Affair

Cecilia is part of a very special family community in Durham, North Carolina. She credits the success of her business to this network, and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time with her mother through her work–learning and sharing these family recipes.

EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION

Her senior year of high school, Cecilia applied for college and scholarships. She took part in a program for students of color at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and wound up receiving a full, hugely prestigious scholarship. At school, she started to hear a different narrative surrounding herself–one that was positive and uplifting. This was a stark contrast to the mixed messaging she received throughout her grade school education. She adored her heritage-speaker Spanish classes, and was especially enthralled with seeing a Latina at the head of the classroom. Her Spanish professor became a huge source of inspiration, and she learned to believe in her own wonderful capabilities.

BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS IN THE KITCHEN

The idea of starting a food truck began as a family joke between sisters. However, when Cecilia began dreaming of creating a scholarship fund (to allow students her age to experience the same opportunities she was afforded during her college career) this joke took on an incredible life of its own. So Good Pupusas was launched as a means to an end, but it became so much more than that. It became a way to connect with her culture, family, and culinary traditions that have been passed down for generations.

About Cecilia Polanco, Founder of So Good Pupusas:

Born in Los Angeles, California to Salvadoran immigrant parents, raised in Durham, NC along with her three older sisters, Cecilia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholars and a Global Gap Year Fellow through the Campus Y. She started So Good Pupusas with her family while she was in undergrad in 2015 and the non-profit Pupusas for Education in 2016. She majored in Global Studies with a minor in Geography, received a Business Essentials certificate from Kenan Flagler, and is currently working on a certificate in Non-Profit Management from UNC. She believes business can be a force for good and that pupusas can change the world.

CONNECT WITH SABRINA

  • Website: http://www.sogoodpupusas.com/
  • Instagram: @sogoodpupusas
  • Facebook: So Good Pupusas
  • Twitter: So Good Pupusas
  • LinkedIn: So Good Pupusas | Cecilia Polanco

Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off!

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Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

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Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

He is risen indeed! ✝️

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He is risen indeed! ✝️

It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

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It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried.

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me.

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

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🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉 

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried. 

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me. 

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉 

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

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Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary

📷 @katelynjames

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13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary 

📷 @katelynjames

And the people of God said… AMEN!

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor

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And the people of God said… AMEN! 

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor

I often wonder if he’d be a red head like Amos or if he’d be musically gifted like Lilly.

Would he love snuggling or be a boy who only wanted hugs on his terms?

Would his eyes be brown like his dad’s or would he be covered in freckles?

What would his laugh sound like? Who would be his best friend? What would his favorite book be? Would he say Gen Alpha slang words like sigma and skibidi or would he love his mom too much to do that?

Would I be mommy or mama or mom to him?

So many questions I won’t get to answers to on this side of heaven. But I think about him today, just like every day, and I hope he’s getting a slice of strawberry cake for his heavenly birthday.

7 years. 🤍 #elijahtimothy

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I often wonder if he’d be a red head like Amos or if he’d be musically gifted like Lilly. 

Would he love snuggling or be a boy who only wanted hugs on his terms? 

Would his eyes be brown like his dad’s or would he be covered in freckles?

What would his laugh sound like? Who would be his best friend? What would his favorite book be? Would he say Gen Alpha slang words like sigma and skibidi or would he love his mom too much to do that? 

Would I be mommy or mama or mom to him?

So many questions I won’t get to answers to on this side of heaven. But I think about him today, just like every day, and I hope he’s getting a slice of strawberry cake for his heavenly birthday. 

7 years. 🤍 #elijahtimothy

Our annual “we don’t just wear farm clothes” outing. #aewsos2025 #advisorsexcel

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Our annual “we don’t just wear farm clothes” outing. #aewsos2025 #advisorsexcel

It had to be done. #babygoats #circleoflife #lionking

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It had to be done. #babygoats #circleoflife #lionking
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