2 minute read
3 Margaritas Owner Joins Other Entrepreneurs to Help Workers Impacted by COVID Chamba App Connects People with Jobs
By Megan Mayes
The effects of the pandemic have been widespread, but few industries have felt the strain as deeply as restaurants. With a multitude of updated rules and restrictions, food service workers and business owners have had to take on a new level of flexibility. Despite the changes, one Broomfield restaurant owner decided to pursue the added challenge of helping employers and workers connect. Jesus Guitierez, owner of 3 Margaritas in Broomfield, joined a team of ambitious Colorado business owners to create the Chamba App. Their new service is helping people find jobs through accessible and easy-to-use technology.
The 3 Margaritas restaurant has become a Broomfield icon as the pretty pink building on the corner of Main and 120th. I have many fond memories of family meals in the restaurant with the beautifully painted tables and chairs. The endless warm tortilla chips and salsa are only surpassed by the sopapillas and giant birthday sombrero. Quality of service is Jesus’ primary goal as manager and owner, and with the help of his great staff they have maintained the highest standards even through COVID.
Through the hardships of the pandemic, Jesus found himself reminded of the big hearts of Broomfield residents. The love of the community kept his team going, and this same love is at the heart of his successful restaurant. He said, “To run a restaurant you really need to love what you do, and most of all love and care for your customers and team members. It needs to be natural, people will know when it is not.”
Jesus’ big heart for his community led him to the Chamba App and a team of young Latino entrepreneurs. Their goal was to help the communities most affected by unemployment. They saw a need which was heightened by the pandemic, and Chamba has filled the need with an app that connects people who are looking for work with people who are looking for workers. At first, the team went looking for job vacancies which they would send to an email subscriber list. Now, their streamlined app is available across the country to help people facing unemployment find decent jobs.
The Chamba App team is proud to be the first job posting app available in Spanish, but the accomplishment did not come without challenges. The Chamba team worked to gain support from those who are often unaware of the unique difficulties the Latino community faces. Jesus describes the Latino community as “the backbone of many industries, especially hospitality industries.” This group felt the pain personally and took the test head on. Without many Latino start-ups and technology companies to look to for guidance, Jesus and the Chamba team have been blazing their own trails. They hope that their effort to help people find jobs inspires others to not give up, push when times get hard, and love the challenges that make us stronger.
