Influential Woman · Food & Beverage / Mobile Food Services
Natacha Martin
Owner and Founder, Chacha's Empanadas LLC
Vidor, TX 77662
Her Story
About Natacha
Natacha Martin is the Owner and Founder of Chacha's Empanadas, a made-from-scratch empanada food truck based in Vidor, Texas. She launched the business in March 2026 after being laid off from her role as a Systems Engineer at Lennar Corporation, transforming a career transition into an opportunity to pursue her passion for entrepreneurship. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience in information technology, retail, and customer service—including roles at FedEx, cell phone companies, and RadioShack—Natacha applies her technical expertise, operational skills, and customer-focused mindset to building a successful food business. Originally from Venezuela, Natacha immigrated to the United States at age 16 and built her career through resilience, discipline, and continuous learning. She combines her IT background with her culinary passion to manage every aspect of Chacha’s Empanadas, from operations and marketing to customer engagement and business research. Her menu focuses on authentic Venezuelan-inspired empanadas prepared from scratch using a traditional sofrito base, featuring signature flavors such as classic beef, chicken, pork birria, Cajun shrimp, and crab rangoon. Committed to quality over expansion, Natacha believes in perfecting her specialty while creating a memorable experience for every customer. Natacha's business philosophy is rooted in ethics, integrity, faith, and genuine human connection. She believes in treating people with kindness and preserving the human touch in business, values that are reflected through her interactions with customers and her mission to uplift others through inspirational messages and community engagement. As she continues growing Chacha’s Empanadas, Natacha envisions expanding into frozen retail products, pop-up restaurants, nationwide distribution, and eventually international markets. Her journey represents the power of reinvention, combining technology, entrepreneurship, and a passion for authentic food to create a meaningful impact in her community and beyond.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natacha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, strong ethics, hard work, and the ability to build authentic relationships with others. Throughout my career, I have found that treating people with kindness, maintaining integrity, and prioritizing genuine human connections have been the foundation of every achievement I have reached. These values have guided my decisions, shaped my professional journey, and helped me create meaningful relationships that continue to contribute to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from my mother: always look beyond a person’s appearance and take the time to see their heart. This lesson has deeply influenced the way I lead, serve others, and build meaningful relationships. It has reminded me of the importance of empathy, understanding, and recognizing the value in every individual I encounter throughout my personal and professional journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to embrace curiosity, take initiative, and never be afraid to pursue their goals. With the resources available today, including smartphones, computers, online research, and tools like AI, there are countless opportunities to learn and grow. Be a go-getter, seek knowledge, ask questions, and continuously improve yourself. Stay true to your vision, keep things simple, focus on what you do best, and do not dilute your purpose. Most importantly, do not let fear hold you back—if you believe in your idea and are willing to work for it, take the leap and make it happen.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges facing small food businesses today is navigating increasing regulatory requirements and rising operating costs, including new permitting expenses and compliance demands. However, these challenges also create opportunities for entrepreneurs who are committed to delivering authentic, high-quality products and exceptional customer service. As consumers continue to seek unique local food experiences and specialty offerings, businesses that stay true to their values and prioritize quality have the opportunity to build strong, lasting connections with their customers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are ethics, integrity, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. I believe it is essential to always consider the human side of every situation and treat people with respect, empathy, and kindness. In a world where the human touch can sometimes be overlooked, I strive to lead with compassion, maintain genuine connections, and make decisions that reflect strong values and character.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.