Rosita’s Fruits: “I Always Ask God that Just as I Leave the House, to Return me the Same Way.”

Written by Reynaldo Mena — August 8, 2025

The children love the fruit she prepares for them.

Rosita has a sweet, sincere voice. That might be seen as a sign of vulnerability, but it has been her strength. She’s had to face many challenges, and now, with two children and the country’s current immigration situation, she’s living through one of the most difficult times.

“I always ask God that just as I leave the house, I return the same way,” says this fruit vendor and owner of three fruit carts. “In life, I’ve always had to suffer alone. I’ve gotten used to pulling myself out of these situations. I’m ready.”

Originally from Mexico City, Rosita arrived in California in 2005. Hers is the typical story of many immigrants—she came in search of a better future. She started working selling fruit and later did everything imaginable—recycling, service jobs, and more.

“But I came back to fruit. An uncle had a cart and offered it to me. He told me it was time to start my own business, and that’s what I did. I didn’t know anything about it, about running a business—I learned everything on my own,” Rosita explains.

The first few years were not easy. She didn’t have a car and didn’t speak English. She had to ask for rides, and in a world dominated by men, her safety was always at risk. “I came across many people who wanted to take advantage of me. I learned to defend myself and earn respect. They wished the worst for me. They said I wouldn’t succeed, that I would fail.”

She proved them wrong. Little by little, she started saving. She entered a relationship and had two children, but the father abandoned them. That, too, didn’t bring her down. On the contrary, she knew she had a responsibility to move forward—for her kids.

“It was hard, very hard. I couldn’t overspend. I knew that if I saved a dollar, it could help pay the rent. My kids would ask for things, and I wouldn’t buy them. I think that if we’re disciplined and value things, life rewards us. I thank that and my God for the success I’ve achieved,” she says.

One day, an American woman approached her and asked if she did private events. It was the first time anyone had asked her that. “I told her I had never done it, that I didn’t know how. I didn’t know how much to buy. She gave me the confidence. She said, ‘Well, just go and charge what you charge here.’”

Thanks to that event, the foundation of her business was born. The people who hired her liked it so much that they kept hiring her. She met other families who hired her for birthdays or other social events. Her services have even reached the most exclusive neighborhoods of Los Angeles County.

“I’m so grateful to them. Now that all this is happening with immigration, they write to me, ask if I’m okay, and refer me to new clients. This is the only thing I do. I drive around scared to death, shaking, but I have to do something—I need to work to pay my bills,” she says.

On a normal day, she would get up at 4:30 a.m. and wouldn’t rest until very late. She has built up a good clientele.

“They tell me they’re surprised by how kind and respectful I am. I’ve had clients for many years. I think that’s the key to my work—being consistent. Even when there are months with no sales, you have to hang in there and try to save what you can. Many times I ask myself if I shouldn’t be in a better situation. So many years here and still dealing with these problems,” she adds.

Her family in Mexico keeps asking her to return, but she hasn’t decided yet.

“The situation is tough. Other people who do the same work tell me the same things. They say they go out to the streets and there are no sales—many don’t even bother going out anymore. We have to be aware of one thing: just as you can lose, you can also win. Not everything is profit. There will be very difficult times. You have to hang in there and pray that things get better,” she adds.

The current situation has taken a toll on her. Rosita has started to feel ill, her blood pressure rising.

“I don’t know what will happen. All I say is that if I have to return to Mexico, then it was meant to be. But I’ll tell you one thing—I’ll go back, but with my carts,” she says, laughing.

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