Modern Entrepreneur Profile: Mississauga's Jesus Perez Zarate

In conversation with Jesus Perez Zarate, recipient of the Mississauga Starter Company Plus grant.

1. What does your company provide/do?
Chucho’s Churros provides premium frozen and fresh churros for foodservice and home consumption.

2. What inspired you to start your company?
My cultural background as a Mexican has always inspired me to share our gastronomy with the world. Everywhere I travel, I try to share my vision of food as something that unites people. In Canada, I’ve seen how churros have made an appearance, becoming increasingly popular as a festival treat and a choice for gatherings. This inspires me to share our offer with the Canadian community and create meaningful moments through our products.

3. What’s been the most impactful lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
Simply being an entrepreneur, in all its forms. I have more than 15 years of experience in the food industry, supported by both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and yet I have never learned as much about food and business as I have by starting my own company. Committing to building your own project and selling it to the world is one of the most impactful things a person can do in their lifetime.

4. How do you unwind?
Spending time with my wife and daughter is the strongest antidote to the tensions and worries of everyday entrepreneurial life. Family is at the center of my attention, and I try to make every moment count. In fact, part of my product mission is precisely that—to bring the joy and warmth of our food into Canadian families.

5. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
The best advice I can give is simple: get hands-on. Work in a place that does something similar to what you want to do, learn as much as you can from as many positions as possible, and always listen to what you’re taught. There’s nothing worse than someone replying, “Yeah, I know,” when you’re trying to teach them. Be humble and learn from everyone, especially senior members of a company.

6. What are your goals for 2026?
Our main goal is to scale our operations and reach new markets within the GTA by collaborating and partnering with industry leaders to make our product a lasting trend. We are also working toward offering a front-store experience where customers can come and enjoy our products.

7. How did the Mississauga Starter Company Plus program help you start or expand your business?
The program has been tremendously helpful by allowing me to connect with and be mentored by a panel of experts at IDEA. Through the program, I’ve gained valuable directive-level insights that have guided me in setting up a strong business plan for success. Not to mention the trust and financial support the grant provides for expanding our operations.