Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyshia Kimberly.
Hi Alyshia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Houston seven years ago after I graduated college at Western Michigan University. Shortly after moving here, I began to manage a Boutique at the Galleria. A lot of our clientele were athletes and entertainers, so there I began my personal styling and shopping career which ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. Shortly after, I started my e-commerce-based businesses Seduisant Strands and Eden Hygienic. On January 1, 2021 I opened my first physical business Hookah Hut, where we sell portable hookahs. Think smoke shop on wheels, that’s us! I took a chance on Hookah Hut, I began developing my business plan and business model in the heart of Covid. I had faith that all though we were in the middle of a pandemic, if I put forth 100% effort consistently, I could not fail. So for five months straight, I worked sometimes 16-hour days to meet my grand opening deadline.
Flash Forward to today, I oversee the daily operations of Hookah Hut, as well as the accounting for my liquor wholesale business Antilles Liquor and Wholesale. As of May 2022, I am also a licensed realtor in the state of Texas. I practice real estate daily with the support of my amazing broker Courtney Okanlomo, of Collective Realty Co. On top of my ventures, I prioritize being a loving, present, active mom to my seven-month-old son Lyan. Although my days are hectic and a true juggling act, I am truly living and loving the serial entrepreneur lifestyle!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to become an entrepreneur is by no means a straightaway. Prepare yourself for obstacles, roadblocks, and detours! The best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to overcome adversity and become resilient. I’ve learned some hard and costly lessons along the way. I would say procrastination is something you have to keep far away when you are running a business especially in Texas. You must report and pay your sales, taxes, and reports on time or else you gave penalties and fines. Let’s just say I submit my things early now. It’s always best to get ahead anytime you can anyways in this life because you never know what’s to come. When you own and operate a business and something goes wrong with your power, plumbing, employees, register, supplies, that’s always your job to find a solution, and find a solution quickly as it could again cost you!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Hookah Hut has been my main focus as it is my first baby after all! Hookah Hut is special to Houston, as we are the first Hookah and smoke goods truck of its kind. Our hookahs are portable, reusable, and fit securely in your car cup holder so you can smoke and drive! You could literally have hookah anywhere the pool, beach, or car! I saw the gap in the market for portable hookah during Covid. Back home in Detroit, hookah to go is a social norm. They literally sell hookah cups at the gas station. I was hesitant to commit to a retail space for my business idea at the time since it was Covid, but I was open to a food truck or styled trailer. Coincidently, my uncle back home in Michigan had a trailer that he would only use for a few months out of the year. He offered me this trailer as a token of belief in my vision for my business – Because of this family tie, Hookah Hut is run and operated like a family business to this day.
I take pride in hiring students or young adults from within the community. I also try and give my employees the opportunity to work as many hours as they want. I love being able to compensate them for their work ethic.
At Hookah Hut, we offer reusable and disposable hookahs. We sell smoke goods like tobacco, rolling papers, edibles, and hemp products. We offer services such as catering and wholesaling. We are also retailed on Fridays at Emit Cigar Lounge in Sugarland.
We will be celebrating two years of business at the end of the year. I’m so proud of myself and my company for surviving and thriving in our first year of business. My plan is to expand my business across Texas before embarking on other states.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I really enjoy spending time with my son these days! I’m definitely the obsessed parent kissing him a million times a day! I also enjoy being out on the water, shopping, and of course, living in Houston I’m a certified foodie! My favorite right now is Pondicheri Indian food!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hookahhuthtx
- Facebook: Hookah Hut HTX
- Other: 5550 Val verde st Houston, TX 77057
Image Credits
@macbphotography @tarfphotography
