Woman finds big success with Troy empanada business

TROY – Lidia Zanbrana-Madera says it wasn’t uncommon in her family to have empanadas on the breakfast table.

They always had to be made a certain way – stuffed with lots of flavor.

She never planned on starting a business making them, even though entrepreneurship ran in the family.

Zanbrana-Madera attended the College of St. Rose, and wanted to be a speech pathologist. She eventually went to work in the corporate world. However, she wasn’t happy.

What did make her happy was making empanadas. So she continued working, and made them her side hustle. They were a hit.

Not only is her business, Lidia’s Empanadas now booming, but her quality of life is different.

Hear what she says helps make the best empanadas by watching the video of Elaine Houston’s story.

DIGITAL EXTRA: Elaine Houston and Rachel Tiede discuss this week’s “Today’s Women.”