With a cheerful spirit and remarkable determination, Irene Valdez, better known on social media as “La Viejona de Sinaloa,” exemplifies the life of a resilient mom and entrepreneur in the United States.
Irene Valdez, “La Viejona de Sinaloa”, originally from Carboneras, Guasave, embarked on her American journey over 22 years ago, driven by a clear vision of starting her own business. She knew that achieving this dream would require immense effort and dedication.
La Viejona de Sinaloa’s American Dream
Irene Valdez’s decision to move to the United States was sparked after the birth of her three children. She, along with her husband and kids, migrated in search of better opportunities. One thing remained constant: her aspiration to run her own business, a passion rooted in her childhood.
Starting from humble beginnings, Irene faced numerous challenges in her new country. Like many Latinos, she began at the bottom, selling strawberries on a street corner, an experience she proudly recalls. When she first arrived in the United States, Irene’s sister offered to help by suggesting she work at the taqueria where she was employed. Irene’s response was a resolute “no.” Her thought upon hearing this was that the day she would sell tacos is because she would own the place.
After years of hard work and dedication, Irene Valdez, now an influencer, opened her first business with the support of her husband. Today, she proudly owns two taquerias in California: Tacos a la Parrilla in San Jose and El Toro Viejo Taqueria in Fresno. She often records videos and shares them on her social media platforms.
Currently, Irene Valdez balances her roles as a businesswoman, mother, and influencer. She makes it clear that her income doesn’t come from her social media presence but from the hard work she puts into her restaurants.
