He didn’t know it, but Juan Eduardo Acosta’s entrepreneurial journey began as he prepared to leave for college.
Before he left, his mom taught him how to cook so he could take care of himself. Once on his own, Juan developed a love for cooking and a deep connection with the flavors of Peru, his native land, along with the stories behind each dish and the joy of preparing food for others.
After moving to the United States, this passion stayed with him. Cooking for friends and family, everyone said the same thing: “You should open a restaurant.”
What started as a simple life skill turned into a dream to start a business of his own.
He decided to test the waters in 2023 by launching a food truck serving authentic Peruvian dishes, full of flavor and made with love.
Juan’s first year operating the food truck provided invaluable entrepreneurial education. Beyond cooking, he was developing comprehensive business skills and proving his concept’s viability in the marketplace.
In the spring of 2025, he was ready for the next big step, starting his own restaurant. Recognizing the complexity of this transition, he sought guidance from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas.
Carolina Mejia, ASBTDC bilingual business consultant, directed Juan how to obtain the appropriate permits and register his business. Then they tackled bigger challenges, including hiring practices, operational systems, cash flow management, and marketing strategies.
Understanding the critical role of digital presence for a new business, Carolina collaborated with Juan on building a comprehensive social media strategy, refining his Instagram presence, and optimizing his Google Business Profile.
“For this project, it was a pleasure working with Juan. He is very smart, independent and always looking to learn,” she said.
Warike 115 Peruvian Bistro opened in Rogers in early summer 2025.
The word “warike” is commonly used in Peru to describe small, often hidden, spots where the food is exceptionally good. They are local treasures known for serving traditional homemade meals.
Juan’s sister works alongside him in the kitchen, preserving the family’s flavors and recipes. His son plays a key role in customer service, bringing warmth and hospitality to the experience. Together, they’ve built more than just a restaurant—they’ve brought a piece of Peru to Northwest Arkansas.
Peruvian cuisine blends traditional indigenous ingredients like ají peppers, potatoes, and corn in a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences.
“The most beautiful part of this story is that it all started with something simple: cooking with his mother. Today, that passion has turned into a real business, one that connects cultures, families, and flavors,” said Carolina.
Throughout this journey, Juan has taken important steps to move his business forward, with the local ASBTDC happy to support him along the way.
“ASBTDC was the beginning to start thinking about the start of my business and helped in many ways,” he said. “It was like someone opened a door to be able to discover things that, at the time, I didn’t think possible. I am very thankful for all the help that I got at the beginning of my journey.”