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

Hi Jenny, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Cinco Books was founded to provide authentic literature in Spanish to both Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities in the United States. As a significant supplier for public libraries, school districts, and families raising bilingual and multicultural children, we take pride in our role of introducing publishers from Latin America and Spain to the American market. Our efforts have opened doors for those who previously struggled to navigate this market.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cinco Books was established nearly 15 years ago after my time at a Chicago book distribution company focused on foreign languages. As director of the Spanish and Portuguese departments for three years, I gained insight into the publishing world and developed a passion for the profession. In 2011, I relocated to Miami and founded Cinco Books with a focus on exploring the children’s literature market. While my previous job catered to college bookstores, we often received requests from libraries and schools for Spanish-language children’s books.

The initial 3 years posed challenges, as I simultaneously held two jobs to cover expenses. During evenings and weekends, I devoted myself to marketing Cinco Books and establishing its reputation by reaching out to potential clients and collaborating with publishers. As our efforts paid off, I was able to leave my other jobs and focus solely on developing my own business. Our growth was natural and we gained recognition for our consistent, high-quality collections, carefully selected literature, and understanding of the US communities passionate about promoting the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.

Today, Cinco Books is a leading distributor for Spanish-language books and the sole distributor for Portuguese books in the United States. We offer specialized services to libraries and school districts, assisting with the curation and creation of collections in these languages. Our extensive knowledge of global publishing is maintained through our attendance at major international book fairs. Additionally, I regularly present at annual conventions, book fairs, and events to keep industry professionals and the public well-informed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to the beach to experience iconic Miami Beach. After, we could explore the Vizcaya Museum. For a taste of southern cuisine, I like to visit Root and Bone in South Miami. If we’re feeling up for it, we could also hit the recently opened LA FITNESS on 152nd Street for a workout. Other places worth visiting are Golden Rule, a classic fish market and restaurant that’s been around for over 80 years in South Miami. For a weekend filled with culture, I would bring my friend to Artefactus Black Box Theatre for some Spanish teatro. And of course, no trip to Miami is complete without trying the best Colombian coffee at Macondo Coffee Kendall. This café not only offers amazing coffee but also has a rich cultural atmosphere. It’s also where we hold our monthly Cuentos in Macondo event for families in Miami.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The women in my life inspired and ignited a desire for progress and success with their life examples; from the very beginning, my grandmother and my mother with their unwavering support, wisdom, and love guided me through life’s challenges, shaping me into the person I am today.

It takes a village to raise a child, they say, and it took more than a village to raise me and guide me; I am grateful for countless women who have been part of my journey, in every stage of my life, from teachers, aunts, friends, and mentors in my professional and adult life like Patricia Aldana who inspires me every day to become a better editor of children’s literature.

Website: www.cincobooks.com

Instagram: @cincobooks and @jenecita21

Linkedin: jennyLizarraga

Twitter: @cincobooks and @jenecita21

Facebook: @cincobooks

Youtube: @cincobooks

Other: TIKTOK @cincobooks We use it to do literary comedia

Image Credits
All pictures belong to Jenny Lizarraga

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