Ready to try a “Lovett Bowl?” A new concept shop in downtown Houston features healthy smoothies, acai bowls, parfaits and more — and it’s owned and operated by a Rice University sophomore.
Ivan Diaz opened Oasis in the food hall Lyric Market last year, all while balancing his rigorous Rice course load and social life as a new college student. He had previous experience as an employee and manager of a local smoothie shop while in high school in Houston, and as a first-generation college student, he recognized that studying business at Rice offered a stronger foundation for his future.
“I want to make my family proud,” Diaz said. “And I don’t have to give up my dreams of business ownership for that to happen.”
The Lovett Bowl is one of the shop’s most popular treats, he said. It’s named for the iconic building on Rice’s campus and includes acai imported straight from Brazil, granola, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, chia seeds and honey sauce. Check out Rice’s social media to see how it’s made and hear more about Diaz’s journey.
Diaz began his undergraduate business classes last year as a freshman, and as a sophomore, he will declare his major in business with a concentration in finance. He said that in just a few classes, he has already seen how his coursework and Rice’s entrepreneurship community will expand his perspectives and open new doors in the world of business.
“I’m excited to learn more in the classroom and in my concept,” he said. “There’s so much potential here.”
His future plans include expanding and pitching an acai shop to be included on Rice’s campus, joining the student and staff dining options. Learn more about Diaz and Oasis in this feature story by Houstonia.