Meet Amber Benjamin | Co-Founder & Guactologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Benjamin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We both believe in creation. It was clear to us that we were not fulfilling our potential working for someone else. We spent a lot of time talking about different business ideas, but Guaca Go happened organically. I bought Carson a Florida avocado- he had only seen Hass avocados growing up in Texas. He’s a creative guy and made me some guacamole and put it back in the shell serving it as a snack before we ate dinner. I didn’t like avocado at the time. I tried it and was like, “WHOA! This is so good!” A few minutes later, we were like, “this is it, this is our business.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I spent most of my life working in the food industry. My dad owned a pasta factory and an Italian restaurant, Al Bacio when I was growing up. Carson and I were both destined for entrepreneurship. I like to say it’s our destiny. Carson started a couple of businesses such as a tailgating company during college and his own window cleaning company. We work better together; complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Asking if it was easy seems to be a strange question. I always wonder why people ask that. So, no, as you would assume, having your own business is not easy. It is complicated, never ending and can be physically and emotionally challenging. What you learn is to have the growth mindset- it refuels your optimism and your fire. You don’t say no; you say how? or when? or why? I want the world to believe in the delicious, fresh and simple nature of our food. It is not just about guacamole but what our guac bowls can provide for you in your day. It is fun food that is also nutritious- you can enjoy it over a beer, after the gym, for a quick bite or snack over it at the beach or on the couch.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When people visit, we always take them to Riverbend Park in Jupiter. A day flowing down clear, freshwater in Old Florida nature. We spend a couple days at the beach. We do day trips with full picnic and then we’ll grab some pizza and go for sunset. We always end up eating at Hurricane Alley in Boynton Beach and now, Guaca Go.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe that Guaca Go is a collective movement of all those who believed in the idea. “You just make guacamole.” No, we don’t- our food is more than that and there has been so many people over the years that see what we see. From our original employees who bared with us as we figured things out to our parents who showed up at every event to people in the industry to rushed to our side to give us advice and share knowledge. Guaca Go seemed to draw people in since it is so different. It feels like we always had support surrounding us; people who were rooting for us. We’d like to give a special thanks to Erin Ryan, Pete & Kathy Peterson, Jaliyah Dinard and our parents.

Website: Guacago.com
Instagram: @guacago
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuacaGo
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/guaca-go-boynton-beach-3

Image Credits
Cody Bonney