Meet our Empresarios: Xōcotl

Hacienda CDC’s Empresarios programming supports entrepreneurs to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Read more about our featured Empresario and learn about our amazing community of small business owners.

Name of Business: Xōcotl

Country of Origin: Mexico

Significance of Name: Xōcotl: Náhuatl word meaning "fruit".

Favorite Dish: Tangy Sweet & Sour Spiced slushie made with natural frozen mango and pineapple blended with fresh squeezed lime and pineapple juice topped with fresh mango, homemade "Chamoy" sauce and powdered chili pepper

Vanessa and Omar’s Story

 Meet Vanessa and Omar, Xōcotl’s owners, hope to bring the symbolism of our pre-Hispanic roots to PDX. Xocotl transforms fruits and vegetables into beverages and nutritious foods that fill us with life and health.

Vanessa and Omar grew up in Mexico City and emigrated to Oregon in 2002. Their entrepreneurial spirit and past business experience eventually drew them to the Portland Mercado’s Entrepreneurship Programs. On March 2018, they launched “Xōcotl - Fresco & Natural”, their first business in the United States.

About Xōcotl

In the Aztec worldview, the tenth month of the calendar is called Xōcotl-Huetzin (the fall of the fruit). It was a time to harvest and celebrate the "the dead days”. The "Xōcotl", a red fruit, was placed on top of a polished pole, symbolizing the tree of fertility. Young men would dance around and climb the pole to knock down the Xōcotl.

Great taste is the name of the game and we're committed to stepping up to the plate. To get the fresh flavor we're known for, your juice is made fresh after you order. We refuse to compromise on quality at our juice bar. We only use 100% natural ingredients. No added sugar or preservatives

Learn more about our Empresarios program and other businesses at the Portland Mercado.