When Igneris López Ríos had the opportunity to join Texas Lutheran University’s very first cohort in its new MBA program a few years back, she seized the day—and hasn’t looked back since. “I recognized that earning a master's degree would enhance my prospects for greater professional opportunities,” the 2023 grad said. She’s seen that proved true in her own life, and has some advice for those considering entering an upcoming cohort. “While the effort required to achieve a bachelor's degree is significant, earning a master's degree distinctly sets you apart and enhances your career prospects.”
For López Ríos, that’s exactly what’s happened, as she’s advanced professionally at an automotive technology company thanks to her efforts. But she’s also applying her knowledge to a brand-new enterprise. “I’ve recently had the opportunity to reconnect with one of my long-standing passions—culinary arts. I'm currently in the process of developing a Puerto Rican pastry business, which has been both a creative and fulfilling endeavor.” López Ríos says earning her MBA was just the push she needed to pursue that dream. “The concept of my business began after I graduated.”
The business, La Diáspora 787, offers a taste of Puerto Rico, López Ríos’s native land. “We are a proud Puerto Rican family who made the difficult decision to leave our beloved island in search of greater opportunities and a brighter future. Though our journey brought us to Texas, our hearts—and our flavors—remain rooted in Puerto Rico,” she says.
Before pursuing her MBA, López Ríos had earned her bachelor's degree in culinary management, but her love of baking was born much earlier, in her childhood. “I fondly remember baking cupcakes from boxed mixes with my mother and selling them in our community,” she says. “That early spark ignited a lifelong love for creating and sharing food.”
La Diáspora 787—so called because “La Diáspora” represents those who left their homeland, and 787 is the area code in Puerto Rico—is a culinary venture that began at local farmers markets in Seguin. “Our mission is to bring the authentic taste of Puerto Rican cuisine to our new community, one dish at a time.”
López Ríos will no doubt need to call upon everything she’s learned to run a successful business, and she appreciates the fact that she was able to fit TLU’s MBA program into her schedule—which also includes a career and a full family life. “The most advantageous aspect of pursuing an MBA at TLU is the dedicated, intensive education provided within a single year, which accelerates the opening of new opportunities,” she said.
“Our dream is to grow from a market stand into a full-fledged pastry shop, restaurant, and coffee house,” López Ríos says, “a warm, welcoming space where people can experience the richness of Puerto Rican flavors and hospitality.”
As López Ríos turns her dreams into a sweet reality, she’s glad she took the plunge and pursued her MBA. “TLU's MBA program significantly enhanced my professional capabilities, opening doors I had never imagined.”
To learn more about La Diáspora 787 or place an order, check out their Instagram page (@la_diaspora_787), give them a call at (830)800-1451 or (830)800-1450, or drop them an email at abbiignerisladiaspora787@gmail.com.
To learn more about TLU’s MBA program, click here: Master of Business Administration | Online | MBA Program | MBA.