Helen Velesiotis
Owner, President and CEO
Taco Taco Café

What do you do?
I manage all aspects of my business.

Length of time at this job: 15 years.

What is it that you like best about your job?
Creating food and serving people.

Education/Major: Business school.

What career path led you to where you are today? I have owned several different businesses — retail, convenience stores and restaurants.

When did you know that you were in the right place in your career? When I saw the warmth of my
customers.

Would you encourage your children to go into the same field?
Yes, I would.

Who were your mentors?
Debbie Ann Balthazar, John Nicolaou, Aunt Dia and my mother.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A clothing designer.

What person do you most admire? There are several: Mary Alice Cisneros, Dr. Ricardo Romo, David Tuttle and Judge Orlando Garcia.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off? Spending time with my family, making delicious food and eating together.

What is your favorite vacation?
Santorini, the Greek islands and Paris, France.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy cooking, baking, sewing, designing and decorating.

What book(s) have you read lately? Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton.

What is your all time favorite book? The Diary of Anne Frank.

What’s the best movie you have seen in the last year? Draft Day.

What is your all time favorite movie?
There are two: The Magnificent Seven and Gone with the Wind.

What type of music do you like?
Classical, soft rock and Greek music.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life personally and professionally?
Professionally, Tim Blonkvist, and, of course, my husband and my family.

What brought you to San Antonio? God, and I am most grateful to Him.

What do you like most about San Antonio?
The culture and the way of life.

What community groups or not-for-profit groups are you involved with as a volunteer? The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sunshine Cottage, American Sunrise and August Heart.

Do you have a favorite restaurant? Taco Taco Cafe, of course.

Do you have a favorite dish?
Enchiladas Verdes and Puffy Picadillo Tacos.

How do you find balance in your life — career, community and home life?
I try to do everything as well as I can while moving fast.

What is your favorite relaxation strategy? To go shopping!

What are your goals?
To bring Taco’s authentic Mexican food to tables all over the world.

What is the best advice that you have ever received?
“When you have your health and your family, you have everything.”

People would be surprised to know that …
I love Taco Taco, love San Antonio and love the people. Actually, maybe they wouldn’t be surprised.