Interview with Cynthia and Ben Sarmiento, owners
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: My husband and I are both passionate about food and want to create a legacy for our son, Emiliano Joseph. We truly believe that success is created, not found, and so we decided it only made sense to own our own business. We also want to see our labors go to a business where we are fully invested and can work together. We believe great food and family meals are at the core of family gatherings and wanted to crate a place that exemplified the notion of “feeding you like we feed family.”
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Our morphing menu is likely what distinguishes us. We have a menu and are proud of what we serve. We really want to deliver the boldest and freshest flavors. However, we are unlike other places where the menu is a static work. We love customer feedback and ideas. We want you to give us your ideas and are happy to try something new in the kitchen to satisfy a craving. The thing that really tickles us is when someone comes in and says, “Make me something you would like to eat,” and lets us be creative, or when they ask us to make something special.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: When someone takes a bite of something we made, purrs and says yum; it is a great feeling to know you are satisfying someone’s palate.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Getting people in the door is a challenge because we are a small, family-owned business and we do not have the name recognition of a huge chain. Once people come in, we are confident they will be pleased, but getting them there is a challenge. We rely a lot on word of mouth, so we reward our customers for their loyalty and referrals to help us overcome this hurdle.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: The face in our logo is our 6-year-old son. Most people look at the logo or the name and assume Joe is my husband and that it is his image. Joe is my son, Emiliano Joseph, who’s middle name is after my grandfather, Joseph Carmen. Emiliano’s face is the image in our logo and at the heart of our business. The recipes we bring into the kitchen are those passed down from my grandfather. The notion of feeding family comes from childhood Sunday dinners where my family gathered at the table to share time with each other. That was the table where my grandfather’s recipes were shared with love.
Profile
Business: Mighty Joe’s Kitchen
Address: 10160 W. 50th Ave., Suite 5, Wheat Ridge
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2013
Contact: 303-425-4200,
Employees: 5
