Eli Madrigal | Striving for the American Dream Through Groceries With Heart

Eli Madrigal
Utahn Since 2006
President and CEO of Rancho Markets

I immigrated to the United States when I was 15 years old. My grandfather was born in Oklahoma and we as a family came here for opportunities to grow and it opened doors for us to realize our dreams. We worked very hard since I was young to make a difference in my community and to use my entrepreneurial spirit for good. I studied and worked since I was 15 to make it in the grocery industry. I worked six days a week to be able to afford my schooling.

Once I was 23 years old, I was a working single-mom and I had to provide. I started at the basic level, first as a cashier, then on to being a stocker, and then all the way to management, logistics, and everything in between. I was driven and passionate about this industry. This is a pretty male-dominated area, so it was difficult for me to get ahead and make a name for myself, but I was up for the challenge. I put in double the effort and it just made me even more passionate. I realized that I wanted to work for myself and in February 2006 I moved from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City to start my own grocery chain, which is now known as Rancho Markets.

Our first store was in Salt Lake City. I had a friend suggest coming to Utah, but I didn’t know the first thing about this state, let alone how to navigate the street system which was a challenge for me when I first moved here! However, it is a beautiful place and has allowed me to thrive in my business and relationships. Across my journey people believed in me and I’m grateful for it.