The person that we are about to profile has truly turned her passion into a successful career as an entrereneur. Born in Columbia and currently based out of Miami, Ingrid Hoffmann is passionate about food and shares her talent and enthusiasm with diverse, international audience. Her shows are currently showcased in her Food Network series, Simply Delicioso. Ingrid hosts her Spanish language cooking and lifestyle show, Delicioso, on Galavision/Univision and recently came out with her cookbook, Simply Delicioso: A Collection of Everyday Recipes with a Latin Twist (Clarkson Potter/Random House). Over the years, she has also excelled as an entrepreneur pursuing different ventures. I recently met Ingrid when she was here in Los Angeles to appear on the Ellen Degeneres Show.

4entrepreneur: What motivated you to write a cookbook?

Ingrid Hoffman: My love of food was one of my main motivations, as well as the desire to show people how to bring bold, diverse, fresh and very easy flavors in to their life…and in such an easy way! I believe that cooking delicious should take minimal time, and that quick, appetizing food should not be boring.

4entrepreneur: Can you share some of your entrepreneurial journey?

IH: Working on a multicultural brand has been an interesting challenge. I have to be the same person while still speaking to two different targets, demographics and tastes.

4entrepreneur: How were you discovered as an author and for your TV show on the Food Network?

IH: I started by creating my portfolio of work, contributing to magazines and participating in local cooking segments on TV, eventually making regular appearances on Univision’s Despierta America. Through these mediums, I was able to show people what I did firsthand and was inspired to develop the concept of my Spanish-language lifestyle show, Delicioso. The show was picked up in Latin America and aired by Hearst entertainment, Cosmopolitan Network. Then, it aired in the US on a private channel from Direct TV. In 2006, Delicioso launched on Galavision, the Univision sister station, which continues to air new episodes. Food Network executives saw my appearance on Martha Stewart’s show in early 2007 and contacted me. I launched Simply Delicioso in July 2007 and we’re currently airing new episodes.

4entrepreneur: What is your advice to fellow entrepreneurs who are pursuing careers similar to yours?

IH: Be focused, committed, passionate, hard-working, and most importantly find a niche that is unique and identifies you. Adapt to change and hone in on brand messages. Never be discouraged by closed doors – it’s more of a reason to fight to open them!

4entrepreneur: What do you like to do in your spare time?

IH: Cook, eat, travel, read, listen to music, and I love the outdoors.

4entrepreneur: What’s something that people might not know about you?

IH: That I am fluent in 5 languages!

4entrepreneur: What are some of your future plans? ( more books, TV shows? )

IH: Who knows what the future may bring? Right now I’m enjoying the two shows and I recently came out with my first cookbook, Simply Delicioso: A Collection of Everyday Recipes with a Latin Twist. I’d like to eventually come out with my own spice line since that’s such a big part of my cooking.

4entrepreneur: 4entrepreneur members are diverse, dynamic entrepreneurs who are not afraid to dream big, pursue with passion, and make things happen. Any words of motivation or advice that you would like to offer to our readers?

IH: As I say on my show, “If I can do it, you can do it!” My motivation has always stemmed from looking at others who are succeeding and telling myself if they can do it I can do it also!

( 4 entrepreneur exclusive Interview: copyright 2008 4entrepreneur.net, Photo credit: Andrew Meade )

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