This story is part of a series on Hispanic entrepreneurs.
In Farmers Branch, tucked inside a modest strip mall, a burst of yellow, blue, and red greets every visitor. The colors of Colombia’s flag spill across shelves of hats, jerseys, bracelets and candies at Colombianitos, the small shop Eddie Johana Duarte built from scratch.
Hispanic entrepreneurs are one of the fastest-growing business groups in North Texas: One in seven businesses in Dallas County are Hispanic-owned.
What appears to be a simple store is, in truth, a lifeline for its owner and many others in Colombia.
Duarte’s path as an entrepreneur has not been easy. Inflation, tariffs, shipping costs and immigration pressures weigh heavily.
Business Briefing
Her shipping and packaging costs have skyrocketed in recent months, she said.
Duarte said that shipping 275 pounds of merchandise cost her about $136 in August. Now, the price has jumped to $350.
She also noted that moving goods through U.S. customs has slowed considerably, and many Colombian goods, especially food and sweets, are no longer allowed into the country. Handicrafts made of leather have also been subject to certain restrictions.
A display of hand-woven products from Colombia is pictured at Colombianitos in Farmers Branch.
Steve Hamm / Special Contributor
Colombianitos celebrated its first anniversary in September. Duarte invested her life savings to open the shop and even maxed out her credit cards to make it possible.
“Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better to wait a little before opening the business, to see how this new administration was going to unfold,” Duarte said, her brow furrowed with worry.
At Colombianitos, each item tells a story of artisans in remote villages, of single mothers weaving dreams into fabric, of elderly craftsmen shaping keychains at their kitchen tables to support their families.
Duarte’s shop is more than a business; it is a connection to her roots.
Her journey began not with capital or investors, but with desperation.
During the pandemic, Duarte was unemployed and uncertain. Then her mother arrived from Colombia carrying a handful of handmade trinkets.
Duarte listed them online, and the response was overwhelming.
The community’s embrace sparked an idea: to create a space where Colombian culture could thrive in Texas, while also supporting those who make these goods back home.
Yair Rodriguez (center right) assists a customer with his frozen food selections at Colombianitos.
Steve Hamm / Special Contributor
When the pandemic eased and international flights resumed, Duarte returned to Colombia, forging relationships with 28 small producers, including those in Indigenous communities.
By bypassing corporations, she ensured every purchase at her store directly supports families who otherwise struggle to afford medicine, buy food or pay their rent.
“This store is my dream and future, but it’s also theirs,” Duarte said.
At only 500 square feet, the shop glows with character and charm.
Freezers brim with traditional foods, refrigerators chill Colombian sodas and shelves overflow with coffee from the mountains.
Hispanic entrepreneur Eddie Johana Duarte owns Colombianitos, which sells Colombian handicrafts, foods and sportswear.
Steve Hamm / Special Contributor
Duarte beams when she points to the bags of Juan Valdez beans: “The best coffee in the world,” she said with pride.
The sacrifice has been immense. Duarte works seven days a week in her store, but her reward goes far beyond the sound of the cash register.
“It’s a philosophy of life, helping the less privileged,” she explained. “We represent the art and culture of Colombia. We don’t just sell products, we showcase culture.”
Hispanic entrepreneurs in Dallas-Fort Worth