Maria de Lourdes “Lulu” Sobrino Founder & CEO Lulu’s Dessert Corporation

“The Entrepreneurial CEO”

Maria de Lourdes Sobrino is Founder and CEO of Lulu’s Dessert® Corporation. Established in 1982, Lulu’s Dessert®, is ranked among the largest and fastest growing Hispanic owned businesses in the United States.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Ms. Sobrino’s first business was in the tourism industry with an initial focus on organizing conventions and events. She later expanded her business to a travel agency, which grew so rapidly that she decided to open an office in Los Angeles. In 1982, Ms. Sobrino had to close her Mexican travel business due to the unstable economic conditions in Mexico; however, her entrepreneurial spirit grew stronger and she began to explore other passions and ideas.

Ms. Sobrino came with this great idea of ready-to-eat gelatin when looking for the popular dessert while living in the U.S.A staple in her native Mexico, the concept was new to the U.S. and a novelty when she introduced it to American grocers in California. Ms. Sobrino recognized a need, filled it and revolutionized the food industry by creating the first-ever ready-to-eat gelatin category, based on her own mother’s recipe.

From the initial production of 300 cups of gelatin a day, Lulu’s Dessert® has overcome many challenges and obstacles to become a leading maker of ready-to-eat desserts.

Ms. Sobrino’s leadership also got her recognized and invited to be part of President George W. Bush’s, Economic Forum in Waco, Texas to represent “Small Businesses”. She lent her expertise to identify obstacles to increase jobs and economy in America.

Ms. Sobrino’s business, leadership, community efforts and dedication to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses have won her much recognition by many corporations and the media.

The Schlesinger Library of the Radcliffe Institute for Advance Study at Harvard University honored Maria De Lourdes Sobrino (Lulu) in the National traveling exhibition that reinterprets the History of American Women and American Business. “Enterprising Women, the Businesswomen of America: 1750-2000” 250 years of History of American Women Entrepreneurs. Among 40 intriguing women who helped shape the landscape of American Business such as: Meg Whitman, Madam CJ Walker, Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey among others. www.enterprisingwomenexhibit.org

Currently, she is on the advisory board for Latina Style Magazine in Washington DC and NAFIN (Nacional Financiera, an investment bank in Mexico). She also serves as an advisor to Rancho Santiago College Foundation, NAWBO Enterprise Institute, BWN (Business Women Network) in Washington DC, US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce California Chapter, Enterprising Women Magazine and Otra Beer Company. Also she is a member of the Working Families for Wal-Mart (WFWM) steering committee.

She will share her story in her first book “Thriving Latinas Entrepreneurs in the United States” along with interviews with outstanding Latinas and their successful stories - May 2007.