CAROLINA ACOSTA
NAME: CAROLINA ACOSTA
AGE YOU FEEL: 32, I’VE ALWAYS FELT OLDER THAN I’AM.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: QUEENS, NY.
YOUR FAVORITE CUISINE: PERUVIAN- MY BF’S FAMILY PUT ME ON!
WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THIS CARD GAME SPROUT FROM?
The idea came from the first product I helped launch with my partner, called Azn Flush, the party game for Asians. When John Lim came to me with an idea for a cultural drinking game, I immediately got on board to help him with the branding, visuals, and website. We both understood that a Latinx game was next and when Azn Flush took off, Tragos was born. John and I are of different cultures but it was our ethnic backgrounds that made us bond as great friends. As American-born individuals, we realized that our cultures could be more present in our lives because they are part of who we are and a great way to bond with people within our own communities. Tragos has done exactly this for me personally, as well as for all the fans.
DID ANY OTHER CARD GAMES HAVE AN INFLUENCE IN THE CREATION OF THIS GAME?
Yes, we continue to take inspiration from existing games for new versions but the ones that inspired at first were King’s Cup and Piccolo.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARD THAT’S BEEN FEATURED IN THE GAME?
I’d probably go with “Give your best “Azucar!”. I’ve played with non-Latinos and it’s always hilarious to explain this card and then watch them give their best Celia Cruz impression. It’s also great to see Latino players immediately know what to do when they pick up this card!
WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO CREATE A CARD GAME FOR THE LATINX COMMUNITY?
This game has become more and more important to me and the community as time passes. Player testimonials continually support the message of this game which is having fun, bonding with friends and fam, and feeling understood, especially for Latinos born in the US, that like me, have a connection to their culture but sometimes either feel judged for being too Latino or not being Latino enough. Tragos makes the topic of culture light-hearted and encourages all types of Latinos to play.
HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED THIS GAME WITH YOUR FAMILY? IF SO, HOW DID THAT PLAY OUT?
I have played with family! When it’s with cousins, it’s a blast. Everyone just makes joke after joke when it comes to every card! My mom and tias have a hard time concentrating on turns so three turns in and they’re still discussing the last card because it led to one story and then another. I’ll say that it’s always a great conversation starter, at least, and a great way to learn something new about someone playing every time. I can never play the Trivia cards though because I know all the answers (haha) and I always get the same jokes like, “What do you know? It’s not like you invented the game or something…”!
STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACED AS A LATINX ENTREPRENEUR?
There have been several challenges I’ve faced starting my own business. Something I feel like I struggled with in the beginning especially as a Latinx entrepreneur (less so now) was representing a Latinx brand when I didn’t really identify 100% Latina. To be able to create something that stood for every subculture within the Latinx umbrella felt like a lot of pressure, especially because I didn’t have much experience in anything I was doing except for the way I was raised. It was like double-imposter syndrome. However, a year later, I’ve met so many different types of Latinos that I now feel absolutely fine with just how close I am to my roots, and I’m still learning how to improve the products to feel general to all of Latin America. Asides from this, the other challenges are general to every new business owner – figuring out finances, operations, budgets, etc. I’ve never had to Google so many things in my life!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS?
My biggest advice would be to believe in a long term vision that you hold onto throughout your journey. This vision will help you determine hard decisions you have to make for your company to stay true to your goals and values. I also strongly suggest having a network on board. Be friends with everyone and create meaningful relationships with those who resonate with your vision. I couldn’t have done half the things I did this year without the team I recruited along the way, along with other people in my network.
WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE IN CREATING AND PROMOTING A BRAND? WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM THEM?
The financials are something I’ve always been terrible at so I asked for help everywhere. Through family, old colleagues, and new friendships, I found a marketing analytics expert, a badass accountant, and investing and brand consultants. The best advice I’ve received from these individuals is: invest with a vision (tied to my last answer), keep your data and your budget organized as quickly as possible, and make smart tax decisions for your business. These are the non-sexy things no one wants to think of when building a fun product but they will lead to longer success because they create a great foundation for whatever you build.
LOVING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF CAROLINA FOLLOW HER @carocostaa & FIND THE GAME AT tragosgame.com
