Mexico in Connecticut

MIGUEL LEAL, SOMOS

WORK • Tuesday Routine

MIGUEL LEAL • CEO and co-founder • SOMOS
Neighborhood you work in: Stamford, CT 

It’s Tuesday morning, where are you working?
On Tuesdays, I’m at the SOMOS office in Stamford, CT. We have a hybrid work model, but a few days a week, all of our tri-state area team gathers at our office so we can collaborate in person, which I find essential to building a strong company culture. Before I head there — just a short drive from my home in Old Greenwich — I work out at Crossfit Affinity.  

What’s the Tuesday morning scene at your workplace?
Our office is bustling on Tuesday mornings, since all our team members are working together in person. Each day is different but one thing’s for certain: We will be eating Mexican food. We’re often taste-testing new SOMOS recipes, which is one of the biggest perks of working at a food brand. 

What’s on the agenda for today?
For the past several months, our team has been hard at work preparing for and attending Expo West in Anaheim, the Super Bowl of food trade shows. For us, Expo is one of the most important weeks of our year. It’s an opportunity to get SOMOS in front of retail buyers and showcase our Mexican food products. Today is our first back-in-the-office meeting after attending Expo last week, so we’re focused on following up on our existing and new retailer connections, and promoting our new product line, Simmer Sauces, which allow for quick at-home Mexican preparations using what’s already in the fridge.

What’s for lunch?
I grew up in Mexico, which means I’ve always eaten rice and beans with almost every meal — including lunch. I really try to make my own lunch instead of eating out. Something quick and filling is the key for me, and rice and beans are the base I turn to time and time again. A base of brown or white rice topped with black and/or pinto beans, a few slices of avocado, and any leftover protein I have in the fridge (like chicken or steak), plus a drizzle of salsa macha (aka Mexican chili crisp) gives me the energy I need to power through the afternoon. Sometimes I’ll pair it with the crunchiest bag of tortilla chips I can find for even more texture.

Any plans tonight?
Tonight, I’m meeting a friend from business school, and we’re going to Siren, a Mediterranean tapas restaurant with amazing, non-alcoholic options, in downtown Old Greenwich. I’m looking forward to enjoying the gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas, and a non-alc michelada.

If I arrive a bit early, I’ll go across the street and do a bit of work at Joe’s Cafe, our local independent coffee bar. They have really comfy sofas and great natural light. After dinner we might head out to Old Greenwich Social Club for drinks and to watch some NBA playoff action. 

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I just bought myself a new Wilson Ultra V4 tennis racquet and I’m loving it. I picked up tennis about eight years ago and this is the first time I’ve bought a brand new racquet. I play tennis a couple of times per week and I’ve been able to meet a lot of great people through the sport.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I’ve been loving ButcherBox, a subscription service that helps me keep my freezer stocked with high-quality proteins, from chicken to meat to fish.