Fernanda O. came to Austin from Mexico City with a professional background in Industrial Engineering. While working as a project manager, she also owns and operates El Postrecito, a dessert food truck with two locations, one in South Austin and the other in North Austin. At El Postrecito, Fernanda serves a menu of Mexican-inspired treats, including fresh churros, strawberries & cream, waffles, crepes, refreshing aguas frescas, smoothies, and other sweets that evoke the flavors and nostalgia of Mexico. Her business is an entrepreneurial venture and a passion that connects her to her roots and lets her share the flavors of home with others.

Fernanda has been enrolled in Austin Community College’s ESOL Program for three semesters. She plans to continue her education by studying Business Administration to combine her professional experience with new knowledge in the field and help expand her company. 

Regarding the greatest benefits of taking ESOL classes, Fernanda says, “Before taking ESOL, I felt nervous speaking English, but now I feel more confident because I learned communication skills in my ESOL classes.” She affirms that her improved English has helped her communicate more effectively with customers, coworkers, and community members. 

When she’s not working or taking classes, Fernanda likes to spend time with her dogs, Mia and Rocky, to run, travel, and develop new ideas for El Postrecito. She encourages other students to practice English every day, participate in class, and not be afraid to make mistakes. She is especially proud of balancing the many roles she holds as a student, project manager, and small-business owner, showing that learning and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.