In the small town of Dautillos, Sinaloa, Mexico, two enterprising students, Britany Esparza and Alejandra Soto, have transformed a problem into a valuable opportunity. Tasty Shrimp, their company, takes shrimp heads that were once considered waste and turns them into a flavorful seasoning. This idea has not only reduced waste but also generated a new source of income for local fishermen.

From School Assignment to National Success

The project began as a school assignment, where Esparza and Soto were tasked with identifying problems in their community. They discovered that shrimp heads were being thrown away, despite containing a significant portion of the flavor. With the guidance of their teacher, Cesar Gabriel Alfaro, they set out to find a solution. “We didn’t have to wait for someone else to come and see what we could do,” says Esparza. “We took the initiative to find a solution.”

The duo partnered with local fishermen and developed a process to turn shrimp heads into a valuable product. They realized that the lack of instruments and imagination was hindering the communities from taking full advantage of this marine resource. By creating a new value proposition for small communities, they motivated local fishermen to participate in the project.

A Pathway to Sustainability

Tasty Shrimp’s innovative process ensures a low carbon footprint, as the shrimp heads are prepared by local people in the community and then packaged and distributed through local channels. The product is now available on online marketplaces such as Mercado Libre, Walmart Marketplace, and soon on Amazon.

Esparza and Soto’s journey has not been without its challenges. They faced complicated negotiations with fishermen’s cooperatives and had to navigate cultural differences. However, they were able to build trust with the community. Esparza emphasizes the importance of seeking advice, having resilience, and humility. “Always listen, learn, and know that there are people who know more,” she advises young entrepreneurs.

Representing Mexico at the Enactus World Cup

Tasty Shrimp’s success has earned them a spot at the Enactus World Cup in Kazakhstan this October, where they will represent Mexico in the global entrepreneurship competition.