Familiar Faces: Batidos Falkis

The happy faces of the Batidos Falkis staff have quickly become familiar to the people of El Sauce throughout the course of the last year as the new business planted its roots and began to grow rapidly in popularity. It is a rare day when there isn't a line of costumers waiting to order a refreshing cold smoothie.

Batidos Falkis Staff

Left- Angela Falkis  Right -Fiama Mayorga

The business started just over a year ago when owners Angela Falkis and her daughter Fiama Mayorga began thinking of opening a smoothie shop in their hometown. After having heard of the increasing interest and success of shops in other local cities they had high hopes for similar outcomes in El Sauce. From the beginning their main goal has been to teach the public that fresh fruits are a healthy option for all.

Service with a SMILE

Common Nicaraguan beliefs suggest that eating fruits at certain times during the day can cause health issues. There is even a taboo connected to the diet of a pregnant woman forbidding her to consume fruits after a certain point in her pregnancy. The ladies now take pride in their business saying that it has become much more than they had ever expected it to and they enjoy teaching facts about health and good eating habits.

But things for Batidos Falkis haven’t always easy; as most entrepreneurial experiences aren't.  Aside from finding a good and affordable location, one of their largest obstacles was getting the needed machinery. 

Sealing the smoothies.

Miguel making smoothies

Serving refreshing mocha smoothies.

However, with the assistance of the EnlaceProject Entrepreneurial Development Program Manager, Enrique Corrales and his assistant Peace Corps Volunteer, Conrad Wright, Angela and Fiama were able to receive the professional support and guidance to better their business. The mother daughter duo attended workshops that educated them in the starting a new business. The information and ideas they learned helped to attract more business and sales began to pick up quickly thereafter.  

Multi-seater  bikes are also available for rent.

This humble family business not only greets customers with smiling face because of their professional growth, but more importantly because they have work and through the opening of the shop they have provided others with jobs as well. 

The relationships they have formed with the community members of their hometown are something of great value to Angela and Fiama. They've even established friendships with the many foreign visitors spending time in El Sauce; servicing them with a bilingual menu.They love being able to provide good service to their clients and have big dreams to one day soon expand the business into a larger venue where they can give even more than they are capable of now. They hope to one day have extended hours and a wider variety of meals on their menu.

Follow Batidos Falkis on facebook today for updates, photos, events, and promos. 


--- Written by Bethany Nelson, Enlace Project Intern

Enlace Project Makes New Social Links in El Sauce

don Juan Carlos Zelaya opens the meeting

In February, 2014, Enlace Project hosted its first multi-institutional meeting with local organizations, cooperatives, businesses, and schools from the municipality of El Sauce, Nicaragua. There was a positive community turn out, with approximately 25 representatives from 16 different institutions attending the meeting. The Enlace Project shared with the community our organization’s mission statement, along with a short presentation of each program that defines our name.

On Friday February 27^th, 2015, we officially established an annual tradition, by hosting the Enlace Project’s second multi-institutional meeting. With an increase of upwards to 40 representatives, 20 institutions, and another year’s worth of positive stories to share, the meeting was a great success. The Enlace Project would like to thank everyone who assisted in making it such.

Program Coordinator Juan Carlos Zelaya began the meeting with a warm welcome to all participants; he thanked everyone for both their time and support. Next, he gave a great introduction of our organization and our goals for the formation of new partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental institutions.

Bethany Nelson speaks about the Marketing program 

The seminar continued with presentations from Enlace Project staff members, regarding their programs. Intern Bethany Nelson spoke about the positive progress of Enlace’s new marketing program, and the many strides the Enlace Project has made in developing our social media platforms. 

English teachers Luzvelia Sevilla and Javier Rocha spoke on behalf of the Enlace Project English School and the advancements the school has seen since its doors opened in 2009.

Academic and Volunteer Trips Coordinator, Juan Mariana, gave a nice presentation about his work experience with both student and volunteer groups. Projects like this reflect the Enlace Project’s dedication to partnerships with non-domestic institutions, such as state universities from the State of New York, and youth volunteer groups who annually visit Nicaragua for rural school constructions projects. 

Batidos Falkis shares success story

A new and welcomed addition to this year’s meeting was guest presentations. The Enlace Project’s Entrepreneurial Development Program Manager, Enrique Corrales, and Peace Corps Volunteer Conrad Wright, presented about the Enlace Project’s work in the El Sauce community. They spoke about how the Enlace Project supports and promotes the growth and development of small local businesses and cooperatives within the municipality. 

Luncheon conversation

After they spoke, Angela Falkis and her daughter Fiama Mayorga, owners of local eatery Batidos Falkis, presented on the rising success of their new business, along with their fruitful experiences of working with the Enlace Project.  Mendel Mendoza, Manager of the Sauce Aventuras cooperative, spoke about his work with the cooperative and how beneficial the relationship with Enlace Project has been for them.

Following the presentations, the Enlace Project staff invited our guests to join us for a luncheon, where many great conversations were held and new friendships were made. The Enlace Project looks forward to another prosperous year of being able to work with the El Sauce community in social, economic, and educational development projects. 

Written by Bethany Nelson, Enlace Project Intern