Mujeres del Mercado

Sofía Hernández, a lauded innovator among the Oaxaqueño community, first came to the United States from Tlacolula, Oaxaca in the early 1980’s and settled in Santa Monica, California with her husband. They were greeted by an already established Oaxaqueño community in Los Angeles that became their support system as they made the transition to life in the United States.

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Sofia and her husband explored the idea of starting an ice cream business; she had been equipped with the skills and traditions passed down to her from her mother while her husband came from a long line of neveros (ice cream makers). From concept to creation, the couple took their idea of Nieve de Garrafas (hand-churned ice cream) and started in their backyard to sell on the streets and at family events.

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Sofía and her husband found success in their ice cream business and later, an opportunity to expand emerged when they came across a new program geared towards helping first-time business owners, spearheaded by Esperanza Community Housing and Mercado La Paloma. The Mercado was seeking applicants who were interested in opening a business on-site, so Sofía and her husband decided to apply. Despite not having a full grasp on the legalities of starting a business in a foreign country or where to seek funding, Sofía’s hope and vision, as well as the invaluable support provided by Esperanza Community Housing helped dispel all their fears and they took a risk by launching Oaxacalifornia.

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Oaxacalifornia is now a successful business inside Mercado la Paloma that sells fresh juices, hand-churned ice cream, and authentic Oaxacan food. Even as a successful business owner, Sofia’s proudest accomplishment is having raised her four children and instilling in them the importance of taking risks when it comes to the pursuit of their dreams.

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In 2019, Sofía was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Like all other obstacles in her life, she confronted the illness head-on and put up a valiant battle that she, unfortunately, lost on April 24, 2020. Sofía’s passing was a shock among the Mercado Family, which is a testament to her unrelenting work ethic and unbreakable spirit that never allowed her to complain or give up. Sofía is remembered by her family and friends as a pioneer who was one of their first among her community to launch a business, attend college, and bring the traditions from Oaxaca to Los Angeles.