- IoT empanada machine CM05i
- Semi-automatic empanada machine CM05S
- Empanadas and arepas machine CM06
- Wheat empanada machine CM07
- Multifunctional empanadas and arepas machine CM06B
- Mixed empanadas and arepas machine CM08
A woman from Manizales made Colombian arepas and empanadas famous in Panama
Clemencia Giraldo is an example that with effort and perseverance you can undertake and grow decisively. Manizaleña lived 16 years ago in Panama City, where she came from Manizales with the aim of fulfilling her dreams and providing well-being for her family.
He set up a business selling arepas and Colombian empanadas right next to a nightclub. She only had 100 dollars to start, but she was sure that together with her work this amount was enough to get ahead. In this way Arepas Vía España was born.
Little by little, Colombian arepas and empanadas, little known in Panama at that time, gained strength as one of the most desired food products.
“We moved forward and I went to a restaurant. Orders increased and I wanted to contact a company that made empanada machines. My son told me that a friend of his had told him about Maquiempanadas and that it was in Manizales,” Clemencia said.
Two months after learning about Maquiempanadas, the new machine arrived at Clemencia's business. “It's wonderful because it not only saves me time in production, but it improved the quality of life of those who make the empanadas because they no longer suffer from their hands.”
She has a simple machine, for her it is the most practical and one of the best. Among other advantages is that you can easily get spare parts in Panama and you do not have to think about importing them.
“Before we had the machine in one day we made 400 empanadas in one day, and now we make 1,000, although production has decreased due to the pandemic. We do not have large production quantities, but we do sell a lot at retail and several companies also ask me for takeout. With the machine, sales doubled,” says the businesswoman.
He assures that Colombian arepas and empanadas have become so famous in Panama that someone can sit in his business and consume up to 8 empanadas in a single sale. “When we started, in Panama there were no food stalls on the street, then we had 13 around. Fortunately, I already have two stores with my products. We generate 25 direct jobs,” explained Clemencia, who this December 16 turns 16 living in Panama with her two children and her family.
Proud of Maquiempanadas
Clemencia's voice increases in pitch when she talks about Maquiempanadas and how proud she feels that in Manizales, her homeland, there are companies and entrepreneurs who do good things for the city. “I feel very happy to have met these people who have contributed so much. I am very proud of Maquiempanadas for being from Manizales, it is a pride to know that they do beautiful things for the city, that we know how to do things well. “I am proud to be their client and I will always recommend them,” she said.
I want to congratulate them because the product they manufacture is of exceptional quality, they are excellent machines, they have no finishing mill,” indicated the owner of Paparepa.
With work and dedication and with technology at hand, Francisco Javier dreams of making his company grow much more, which is why he wants to innovate in the presentation and packaging of his products to meet the expectations of Latinos and Americans who equally consume the star product: the empanada.
Message for entrepreneurs
To entrepreneurs or those with the idea of starting a business, Clemencia sent a message of motivation not to let themselves be overcome by fear, since it is the only thing that stops the idea of moving forward.
Don't be afraid, because that doesn't let you move forward. We have many capabilities but fear does not let us move forward, we can achieve everything we dream of.