Jazlyn Ponce is attending Ventura College as a full time student. Currently on her last semester working towards her Associates Degree in Social Media Marketing. Aside from school she enjoys listening to a podcast (Psychopedia) and music (anything between 1985-2015) on the daily. Working on fun little art projects. As well as taking captivating photos. Above all she makes sure her husky, Thor is loved.
Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary. They offer a mix of Mexican and seafood from three different locations. These locations are in Venture, Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. With a wide variety of items on their menu, and nine different savory salsas to spice up any item on the menu at their salsa bar. In this episode we dive right into the core of customer experience—from the ocean-themed ambiance to the enticing sound of fresh fish cooking on the grill to welcoming smiles, the relaxed beach-town vibe, or the ideal Baja-style taco, which embodies Snapper Jack’s positive vibes.
This beloved family-owned taco shack has been delighting the community of Ventura County with its mouthwatering food since the year 2000! Snapper Jack’s is joyfully celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They proudly offer a delightful blend of Mexican and seafood dishes at their three fantastic locations in Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. With an exciting array of items on their menu, plus special offerings from time to time, and nine different savory salsas to elevate any dish, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Among the nine salsas, their Secret Shack Sauce and Yolandas stand out as the fan favorites!
Legendary Salsa Bar
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Cinthya, the incredible store manager at the Ventura location. She embarked on her journey with Snapper Jacks at just 19 years old back in 2016, starting at their original location in Ventura. Later that same year, she transitioned to the dearly missed Downtown Ventura location to lend a hand, showcasing her dedication. Cinthya truly enjoys the vibrant environment, appreciating how Snapper Jacks genuinely cares for and values its employees. The company offers great growth opportunities, promoting employees from assistant manager to a possible store manager. Snapper Jacks has flourished within the community by hosting fundraisers and providing support and donations in various ways. Even during COVID, they continued to serve the community through DoorDash and online orders. Cinthya describes the atmosphere as beachy, infused with 60’s and 70’s surfing and skating vibes. She values bravery, outgoing personalities, charisma, and teamwork in potential new employees, taking her time to get to know them and ensuring they prioritize customer service. From her perspective, the best-selling item is the Jacks Combo, featuring a choice of any two tacos (grilled or battered fish, chicken, steak, or potato) accompanied by rice and beans. For newcomers, Cinthya is the go-to person for recommendations, providing informative answers to any questions. Her favorite menu item is the Cancun burrito, which she describes as “like fireworks in your mouth, bursting with flavors and a perfect mix of seafood and Mexican food.” The Cancun burrito includes sautéed shrimp, real crab, rice, jack cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, and avocado slices. When I asked her to encapsulate Snapper Jacks in a single sentence, she joyfully replied, “Overall welcoming, warm, and eye-catching.”
Snapper Jacks is brimming with hardworking staff who bring positivity and dedication to their roles. The kitchen team arrives bright and early each morning to craft everything fresh from scratch, ensuring quality and flavor. Complementing them is a wonderful group of devoted cashiers and managers, all eager to serve the community. Their warm, caring, and attentive nature creates a friendly atmosphere, always greeting customers with a bright smile. Snapper Jacks has recently introduced delicious Chile Relleno items, and I highly recommend heading over to give these delightful dishes a try!
Nestor is a senior manager thriving at all three locations of Snapper Jacks, a company he absolutely loves being part of, thanks to their fantastic flexibility with his schedule. He proudly joined the team through his father, who was a chef for Snapper Jacks, and since 2011, he has witnessed remarkable growth over the years. The working environment radiates warmth and camaraderie, with everyone collaborating joyfully. Nestor has seen Snapper Jacks blossom within the community, understanding that this vibrant spirit is the heart and soul of the business. It’s uplifting to watch people come and go, sharing their delightful stories of frequent visits over generations and recounting how Snapper Jacks has been their treasured first stop in town. New customers often walk in, excited for their first adventure and eagerly seeking recommendations. Nestor happily suggests the nachos with chicken and also recommends the Mahi tacos, filled with cabbage, cheese, and Shack sauce, while they’re still available. His personal favorite is the scrumptious Chicken Caesar burrito, packed with chicken, caesar, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and tortilla strips. When asked to describe Snapper Jacks in one sentence, he beamed, “Very welcoming, a great place for some delicious food!”
I had the fantastic opportunity of speaking with Jarrid, the general manager of Snapper Jacks, who has been a beloved part of the Snapper Jacks family since 2000, just three months after the opening. He truly enjoys working for Jack and Laura, as they are incredibly gracious and appreciative of their entire team. Across all their locations, there’s a joyful commitment to maintaining the original vibe and environment. With the lively 60’s music, charming decor, vintage Schwinn bicycles, classic longboards, and nostalgic surf movies from the 50’s and 60’s, guests can feel that they’re stepping into a space where the timeless surfer spirit thrives. Snapper Jacks has joyfully expanded through Ventura County, opening a location in Camarillo in 2006, followed by another vibrant spot in Thousand Oaks in 2011. Laura’s philosophy centers on the power of word-of-mouth, allowing Snapper Jacks to flourish through the loyalty of delighted customers. If a visitor truly enjoys their experience, they’re eager to share it with others. Described as a “great family atmosphere with excellent service and delicious food at a reasonable price,” Snapper Jacks offers a delightful fusion of Mexican American flavors, famous for its amazing fish tacos.
In this VC social podcast episode we are interviewing Tristan the owner of Sports Institution, as he talks about the trials and tribulations of Sports Memorabilias online marketplace boom.
This awesome little coffee and tea spot is located in our beloved hometown, Ventura, at 2271 N. Ventura Ave, where it has been spreading joy for 5 fantastic years! They have just opened an exciting new location in Oak View at 485 N. Ventura Ave. Lovewell is all about sharing smiles, creating memorable moments, and providing a warm and welcoming space for everyone to connect. With their unique hours—Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 2PM—they’re making sure there’s plenty of time for you to enjoy their delicious offerings, even if they’re closed on Sundays. If you’re seeking amazing coffee, tea, and fresh pastries, this is the perfect destination, and I can’t wait to share with you all the reasons why it’s a must-visit!
My next interview was with a Lovewell enthusiast, mother, and teacher, Dolores. Even though Lovewell isn’t a short drive for Dolores and her family, their frequent visits have made them a beloved member of the community, recognized by the staff, owners, and fellow regulars. Her first visit with a close friend in the summer of 2021 marked the beginning of her delightful journey there. Dolores describes the atmosphere as incredibly friendly, vibrant, and reminiscent of a family gathering. She appreciates how the staff genuinely care about their customers rather than merely pushing their products. Dolores was drawn back in by one of the specialty drinks she had found delicious. After exploring a variety of coffee shops around Ventura, she confidently favored Lovewell for its exceptional quality and smooth coffee. She highly recommends the Marble Mocha (a delightful mix of white chocolate and mocha) and the CJ special (a heavenly white chocolate mocha with caramel drizzle). Her enthusiasm extends to their Ginger Turmeric tea, which she also highly recommends. Dolores describes their fresh pastries as “Bomb Dot Com,” delightfully baked every morning. When asked to describe Lovewell to someone unfamiliar with Lovewell or to encourage a visit, she vividly recalls the scene from the movie Elf where he bursts into the coffee shop exclaiming, “Congratulations, World’s Best Cup of Coffee!”
If you’re curious to learn more about Deloris’ inspiring insights, she shared an amazing review and images on Yelp that is sure to uplift your spirits! Additionally, she has launched an Instagram account dedicated entirely to Lovewell, showcasing all the positivity and joy it brings.
I interviewed a fellow classmate, Mae, and her fiancé, Jared. Mae enjoys tea while Jared loves coffee. They enthusiastically support this local business for many wonderful reasons. They fondly remember the previous coffee shop, Django’s, and appreciate how convenient Lovewell’s location is for picking up their favorites on the way to school, visiting a few times a month. The cozy atmosphere instantly puts them at ease. Jared remarked on its delightful mix of modern touches and an industrial look. They both love admiring the beautiful pictures and drawings of Ventura that adorn the walls. Mae and Jared spoke glowingly of the baristas, who made them feel warmly welcomed when recognized as regulars. It’s heartwarming to see how the baristas effortlessly create a friendly environment, taking the time to connect with their customers. It’s clear that the baristas set a positive pace and atmosphere. The seasonal and special menus elevate their beverages, making them stand out from traditional coffee shops. I asked both of them to describe Lovewell place in one word or a sentence to encourage someone new to visit. Mae joyfully said, “they got good food and good people,” while Jared simply stated, “the community.”
I had the pleasure of interviewing one of their fantastic managers, Rachel. She passionately believes that customers return because they are treated as valued individuals rather than mere “transactions,” and have a connect relationship on a deeper level. Lovewell sources their coffee from a remarkable farm in Tennessee called “The Well,” which proudly provides clean water to the community. Rachel feels that the coffee at Lovewell is special for its smooth, non-burnt flavor, offering a delightful experience. Lovewell features an impressive selection of 22 different teas, from “Fraser Tea.” For tea lovers searching for a diverse range of options, Lovewell is the perfect destination. Additionally, Lovewell presents an exciting variety of special menus throughout the year, and when their seasonal offerings return, they always aim to keep things fresh and unique.
I had the delightful opportunity of interviewing one of their fantastic baristas, Steven. He firmly believes that Lovewells coffee not only draws customers back but also that they return for the exceptional customer service. As a passionate barista, his goal is to ensure that every customer has an amazing experience. They offer a little bit of everything to cater to a wide variety of guests. The menu at Lovewell features familiar beverages that new visitors will love, as well as exciting and unique options for those seeking something different. Steven enthusiastically recommends the “Earl Gray Tea Latte with simple syrup.” When it comes to pastries, he is particularly excited about the Cheese Jalapeño Bagel and Nutella Croissant. He describes the cheese jalapeño bagel as “cheesy, a little spicy, and customizable with a variety of cream cheese options,” while the Nutella croissant has “the perfect crunch on the outside with a soft, layered interior filled with Nutella.” When asked to describe Lovewell to someone who has never heard of it or to encourage a visit, he joyfully said “welcoming” a place where customers can sit back, relax, and enjoy their time without any interruptions.
After reading and enjoying to know more about Lovewell’s community, make sure to stop by at Ventura, at 2271 N Ventura Ave or Oak View at 485 N. Ventura Ave or visit their website to make an order online, using this link LoveWell. You can always find them on Instagram and YouTube
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