‘Less complaining, more action.’ Charlotte baker finds a sweet spot as humanitarian

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – Manolo Betancur is a firm believer in the power of flour.

“This is life, man. You see?” he said, patting a slab of dough. “The Bible talks about the bread; the bread of God.”

The owner of Manolo’s Bakery says his success has been a godsend.

The cases in the bakery give customers an appetizing look at their bread, pastries, and cakes. When Manolo’s opened 27 years ago, it was the first Latin bakery in Charlotte.

At first, he saw more than just a business opportunity.

“I was very concerned about my children, and the children of my immigrant community, that they don’t identify themselves with the cultures of the backgrounds of their parents,” Betancur told Queen City News.

For decades, Manolo’s has been a local connection to Colombia known for decadent desserts. But perhaps the sweetest part is the Betancur’s devotion to making the world a better place.

He was born and raised in Colombia. As a young man, he served in the Navy before coming to America to begin his second life.

“I didn’t speak English,” he says. “So I just knew the numbers from one to ten and I knew how to say ‘yes’  to everything. So you could say ‘You’re the ugliest guy in the world’ and I was ‘Yes, yes, ha-ha!’”

He started with $900 in his pocket. Today, Manolo’s yearly sales have reached $1 million.

“It really hurts me and makes me sad when I hear people no longer believe in the American Dream,” said Betancur.

The icing on the cake is his sense of humor. Manolo is even better known for his sense of community, giving back in all kinds of ways.

For example, he donates birthday cakes to the homeless.

“I think every single business in the universe should be doing something for the community. It should be a law,” he says.

Betancur gave even more during the pandemic.

“We delivered more than 50,000 meals through local nonprofits, church,” the entrepreneur said.

He also raised money to help people in war-torn Ukraine. Manolo says his effort to rebuild bakeries there has a ripple effect.

“So if I support a bakery in Ukraine, I’m going to make sure that communities are going to have bread in their bellies. If you have bread in your belly, man, your spirit is still alive,” Betancur explains.

He believes philanthropy across the globe is his calling and responsibility.

“We are a rich nation and there’s too many rich people here. We should be doing a little bit more; less complaining, more action,” says Betancur.

Along with the bakery, Manolo also is in the coffee and gelato business. His success gives him even more motivation to help people across the world.

That philosophy gave him the formula for a true measure of success.

“You know I donate, I give something back to the community, man, and I keep receiving more and more blessings,” he said.

He learned that by breaking bread with those less fortunate.

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