When a Dream Feels Out of Reach: How Peruanizate Was Born

There are moments in life when everything feels uncertain, when you’re far from home, trying to start over, and nothing seems to work out. In 2018, living in Chile, I was in that place. I’d tried to launch a few small businesses, but nothing stuck. Each attempt felt like another closed door. I wondered if my dream of independence was just out of reach.

But sometimes, it’s in those quiet, difficult moments that the most powerful ideas are born.

One afternoon, sitting alone in my apartment, I thought about what truly mattered to me. What could I bring to the world that was authentic, not just another product, but something that carried my culture, my memories, and my heart? That’s when the idea for Peruanizate came to life: frozen Peruvian dishes, made with real ingredients and real tradition, ready to share with anyone, anywhere.

The journey was anything but easy. I didn’t have a kitchen, the right permits, or the money to open my own space. But I did have friends, and one of them, who owned a sushi restaurant, let me use her kitchen for free. That’s where I made my first batches of ají de gallina and lomo saltado, learning how to prepare and package food without preservatives, so every meal tasted just like home.

I wanted Peruanizate to stand out, so I spent hours in supermarkets, looking for packaging that felt special. I found inspiration not in the frozen aisle, but in the candy section, a beautiful, upright chocolate box that made me think, “This is how I want people to feel when they see Peruanizate: excited, curious, and proud.”

Of course, there were setbacks. I dreamed of seeing Peruanizate in big supermarkets, and I even got a meeting with one of the largest chains in South America. They loved the product, but I had to admit I wasn’t ready to produce at that scale. It felt like another closed door, but I didn’t give up. Instead, I started small, getting Peruanizate into neighborhood stores, building a reputation one customer at a time.

Looking back, I realize that every struggle, every “no,” and every moment of doubt was part of the path. Peruanizate was built not just on recipes and packaging, but on resilience, community, and the belief that our roots and stories matter.

If you’re reading this and you’re in that place of uncertainty, trying, failing, starting again, I hope my story reminds you that something beautiful can grow from those moments. Sometimes, the dream you’re chasing is closer than you think. All it takes is one idea, one friend, or one act of courage to set it in motion.

Peruanizate isn’t just about Peruvian food. It’s about honoring where you come from, sharing it proudly, and believing that your story is worth telling.

If you have a dream, keep going. Your story is just beginning.

Revista Mercado Mayorista-Santiago de Chile 2018

Walter Romero Gonzales