Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Stevens.
Hi Kari, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
At an early age, I discovered my passion for cooking, making money, and helping others. Not only did I enjoy the cooking aspect of it but what I most enjoyed was seeing others enjoy what I cooked. While most kids played outside or watched cartoons, I was either playing “doctor” to my siblings, watching cooking shows, or in my neighbor’s yard picking pears off the tree to place them in my red wagon selling them door to door.
I fell in love with it. Going into my teenage years after graduating high school growing up, I wanted to be a brain surgeon or a Chef. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend college. I graduated at 16 years old and started working two jobs, I ended up in the medical field and slowly transitioned into business management. And I fell in love with it. I knew growing up, I wanted to own my business. Mostly because I watched my father as a single dad work so hard to give us what we needed, and I knew that I needed to do something different.
I needed to build something for my family. So, by the time I turned twenty-one until about. 29 I worked three jobs. I worked, 90hours a week. I knew I had to save every penny to be able to afford to open my own business and Fast forward, after years of saving and planning I opened Vogue in April 2020. Unbelievably, it was during the pandemic and while most businesses closed their doors. I was able to grow a company from the ground up.
I am in the process of franchising my business. As a multistate business and I plan to expand around the world and offer something that no other company can. While making a difference in our communities.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Opening during the pandemic in April 2020 was the most challenging thing I’ve ever endured. During the first year, there were many more challenges (personal and professional) I faced while struggling just to keep my doors open, staffing issues and supply issues were exceedingly difficult.
While struggling with my business, I also had an infant that I was trying to raise as a single mother. If that did not challenge me, then losing my father in March 2021 did.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We specialize in hand-crafted Coffee and Bubble Tea. I created a menu so diverse to cater to Houstonians, as we are a truly diverse city. Only at Vogue can you add Tapioca to your Hand-crafted Espresso based drinks (ex. Caramel Macchiato) and add CBD. We offer traditional bubble tea, milk tea, fruit tea, smoothies, frappes, Arnold palmers. fresh-baked pastries from a local bakery.
We currently have an extensive list of flight options; we are the first in the nation to offer Bubble Tea Flights! Now, we have Hot Latte Flights, Hot Chocolate Flights, Bubble Tea Flights, and CBD Flights. We want to set the tone for customer service expectations, and we are committed to making sure our customers leave happier than when they came in. We want to make a difference in your day, every day!
I’m dedicated to being involved in our community. I want to make a difference in any way I can. I’m most proud of our Slogan “Be. Bold. Brave. Someone.” The meaning behind this is something I live by, and I hope to inspire others.
Be bold – Always be confident and courageous with anything you do in life. Be brave – Always take risks without fear, be ready to face all challenges. Be someone – Leave a mark on this world, make a difference no matter how big or small.
Contact Info:
- Email: Franchise@voguecoffeebar.com
- Website: www.voguecoffeebar.com
