She started selling arepas from a cart in Queens after fleeing Colombia. Now, the "Arepa Lady" reflects on the "triumph" of her thriving business

Maria Cano – better known as the "Arepa Lady" – has been a staple in Jackson Heights, Queens for decades. After fleeing violence in Colombia, she started selling arepas (corn cakes) from a street food cart since the late 1980s, becoming so popular she and her family were eventually able to open up two storefronts in New York City and potentially a third on the way. 

However, the origins of her venture were not easy. 

"When you arrive as an immigrant in the United States, life is very difficult because you don't know anyone, you don't know the language," she told CBS News in Spanish. "Having young sons that were in school was tough."