Maira Fuentes’ Journey of Faith, Family, and Flavor

From El Salvador to Entrepreneurship

In the East Bay town of Livermore, California, Maira Fuentes has turned her love for traditional Salvadoran food into AMBA Pupusas, a growing business rooted in family, faith, and perseverance. Her journey is a testament to what can happen when determination meets the right support system.

Originally from La Unión, El Salvador, Maira moved to the U.S. eight years ago and now lives in Castro Valley with her family. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2022, after having her youngest child. Wanting to stay active while caring for her baby, Maira began selling pupusas to her coworkers. “They tried them once,” she recalls, “and then they kept asking me to let them know when I’d be making more.” Word of mouth spread, and so did demand.

Learning by Doing

At first, Maira had no experience in business—she had never sold anything before. But she remembered watching her child’s grandmother make pupusas back in El Salvador and relied on those memories to guide her. She also leaned heavily on her faith, praying for direction. Eventually, with her husband’s encouragement, she invested in a grill and began selling regularly. Then, as if by divine timing, she received a $1,000 grant that allowed her to grow her business.

Support from Centro

Even with growing sales, Maira knew she needed help to formalize her business. That’s when she found Centro Community Partners. “Centro helped me a lot because I didn’t even know I needed permits,” she said. With hands-on support from Centro staff, Maira learned how to navigate licenses, set pricing, and organize her operations. Centro also provided feedback on her packaging and presentation, helping her elevate her brand and build customer trust.

Running AMBA Pupusas is a full family affair. Maira cooks, her husband takes orders and handles payments, and her young son even helps when he can. Their small setup in the back lot of a Livermore property has become a beloved stop for locals—and the menu has grown. What started with a few pupusa varieties now includes tamales, aguas frescas, and chicken sandwiches. Maira even designed and printed her own bilingual menu, featuring a photo of her family. The name “AMBA” is made up of their initials: Agustin, Maira, Bradley, and Adonai.

Despite her quiet nature and challenges with customer service, Maira pushes forward. “My husband is the one who talks to people—I just make the food,” she admits. But she’s slowly building her confidence with Centro’s support and learning to step outside her comfort zone.

Building a Legacy

Maira’s goals are clear: to one day operate a food truck and eventually open a storefront that provides for her family and creates jobs in her community. “The next step is to buy a food truck so we can sell more days and earn more,” she says. She dreams of AMBA Pupusas becoming her family’s main source of income.

Reflecting on her journey, Maira offers this advice to other entrepreneurs: “First, ask God for guidance. Second, go to Centro—there’s so much help. And last, believe in yourself.” Through her resilience, faith, and willingness to learn, Maira Fuentes is not only building a business—she’s building a legacy.

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