Today we’d like to introduce you to Badra Andrews.
Hi Badra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and an Entrepreneur, Owner and Founder The Bougainvilleas Event Venue and Catering, and A Thousand Oaks – Events and Retreats.
I started my first business at age 23, a Bakery “Rising High” while raising my two young children. At age 25 I opened my 2nd Business, “Pro-Motion” a hair salon & fitness center for women, which I sold 5 years later. That’s when I ventured into my 3rd Business for 13 years, I was a partner in Café Caspian Persian Cuisine, and Cascadas Mexican Restaurant, finally leading to my current endeavor in the events and catering industry. my passion and love for the hospitality business are noted by exceptional customer service and an incredible eye for detail, with the intent of exceeding the expectations of every client.
I am a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10K small Business – Alumni 23, and in 2020 I was inaugurated as the President of NAWBO Houston (National Association of Women Business Owner.) I am dedicating this year to giving back to my community.
My favorite quote to live by “Be the candle that can light up a dark room or be the mirror to reflect it”.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life, in general, is not a smooth road, in business is even more of a rough road than people will ever know. this past year, “the year of the pandemic” all events came to a complete halt, no events meant no income, I had to think of ways to keep my employees, pay rent, utilities, etc.
I had to pivot our business to catering only, and with so many restaurants it was hard to put us on the map, so I thought of getting sponsorships from friends, family, corporates, etc, I would use the sponsorship money to feed the front-liners and use social media to promote the business that sponsored the meals. it was a great success and it help keep my staff working.
The core of any business is the staff/team, I have been very lucky and blessed to have a wonderful team to work with, I have open-door communication and their input and ideas are very much appreciated and welcomed, when losing a valued employee it is very hard and takes time to train another, and that is truly a big struggle for many small businesses.
Weather also affects our business, when hurricane Harvey hit our area, we had 3 slow months due to all the damage and everyone was busy rebuilding their homes, and we had to postpone many events to a later day.
We’ve been impressed with The Bougainvilleas Events & Catering Venue, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Bougainvilleas mission is to be EXCELLENT in everything we do. Our beliefs and philosophy is set on High Values and our goal is to exceed customers’ expectations of EXCELLENCE. Our vision is to full fill and meet the highest expectations and to elevate and empower our employees believe in themselves. The core values for us is to always do the right thing…. Everyone is important and everyone matters and by always doing the right thing and doing it with excellence you will succeed beyond your dreams.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love Houstonians, the culture, Art, museums, the diversity, and the hospitality, everyone is so kind and friendly I don’t like traffic jams and humidity. but I don’t mind putting up with that because the positive is so much more than the negative.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thebougainvilleas.com
- Website: https://www.thebougainvilleas.com
- Instagram: bougainvilleas_houston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BougainvilleasHouston
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqKpI-n5I3GRkKXVUU5JtMw/about
Image Credits
@ammarselophotography
