Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim & Teddy Tran – Romero.
Hi Kim & Teddy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Kim Huong Tran, and I’m one of the co-owners of Mama Kim’s Vietnamese Cuisine here in Nederland, Texas. I was born and raised in Port Arthur, and I’m 35 years old.
After graduating high school, I attended a local college where I completed my certification as a pharmacy technician. During those years, I also worked as a server at a local pho restaurant for nearly a decade. That experience ended up shaping my path more than I ever expected.
At 24, I became a mother, and that really pushed me to reflect on what I wanted long-term—for both my family and myself. While working as a pharmacy tech was stable, I realized it wasn’t where my passion truly lived. I found that I thrived in the service industry, connecting with people and being part of something more personal and community-driven.
An opportunity came when the owner of the restaurant I had been working at decided to retire. I took a leap of faith and asked if he would consider selling the business to me. He agreed, and in 2021, at just 29 years old, I became one of the youngest pho restaurant owners in the area.
At the time, I had very little experience in cooking authentic Vietnamese cuisine or running a business. But I was determined to learn. Over the next few years, I poured myself into understanding both the kitchen and the business side of things.
Along the way, we faced some unexpected challenges, including complications with the original purchase agreement and issues with our rental space. By our second year, we had to relocate and rebrand completely. That’s when “Mama Kim’s” was born—a name inspired by what my children lovingly call me at home.
Through all the ups and downs, those challenges helped shape who we are today. Now, over five years later, we’re still growing and even working toward opening a second location. It’s been a journey built on resilience, learning, and a lot of heart—and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.
Hi, I’m Teddy Romero Jr., the other half of Mama Kim’s Vietnamese Cuisine. I’m 42 years old, and I grew up in the Nederland and Port Arthur area.
My journey has been a bit unconventional, but it’s always been rooted in designing and building things. As a kid, I was constantly drawing, and in high school I gravitated toward art classes—not just because they were fun, but because they exposed me to different perspectives and creative thinking.
That passion led me to attend a CAD school, where I graduated in about two years. I finished right around the 2008 economic downturn, when opportunities in that field slowed down. Like many in our area, I transitioned into refinery work and started at the ground level—fire watch, hole watch—and worked my way up through scaffolding, pipe fitting, welding, and eventually into planning. That experience gave me a strong foundation in discipline, problem-solving, and understanding how things are built from the ground up.
Over time, I saw where the industry was heading—toward prefabrication, 3D CAD, and laser scanning—so I pivoted into engineering and had the opportunity to learn laser scanning during a unique startup situation. That chapter allowed me to really lock in on advanced design and technology.
At the same time, I never let go of my passion for automotive design. I started designing and building cars and trucks, eventually launching small ventures that I later sold.
Around 2015, I met Kim while she was working at a local pho restaurant—I was a regular customer, usually working on my laptop there a couple times a week. At first, it was just casual conversation, but by 2018, I finally worked up the nerve to get to know her better. I’m really glad I did.
In 2020, Kim approached me about the idea of buying the restaurant she had been working at. I remember telling her, “You’ve already built one of the best service systems I’ve seen—let’s take a look at the numbers.” She had the drive, the vision, and even the savings from years of hard work to make it happen. That deal came together by the end of 2020.
At first, I thought I’d just help out here and there—changing light bulbs, fixing things, maybe doing some design work. But that quickly turned into something much bigger. I became her partner in every sense—working the floor, learning the kitchen, helping with branding, marketing, and overall design, and even picking up parts of the language and culture along the way.
In 2022, we faced a major challenge with our location and realized we needed to make a big move. I made the decision to step away from my other ventures to help build something new from the ground up.
Today, I’ve designed and helped build what is now Mama Kim’s in Nederland, and we’re working toward something even bigger—a family-owned and operated brand with plans to expand across Texas and beyond.
Looking back, I never would’ve imagined this path—ending up as a partner in a Vietnamese restaurant and building it into a growing brand—but it’s been an incredible journey. And getting to do it alongside Kim makes it even more meaningful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road—that’s what made the journey abstract for sure. We went from going broke, to building back up, to going broke again for the sake of scaling and ownership. It was all worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Service is the cornerstone of everything we do. It was the foundation of the first location I worked at, and the same system Teddy identified as exceptional. Maintaining that level of service takes constant effort, but it’s driven by the team behind it. They are the true extension of our vision, and we’re grateful to have such a strong team.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
We believe mentorship is everywhere. Whether it’s listening to our customers, observing other restaurants, or learning from different businesses, there are constant opportunities to grow. The key is staying open and intentional about learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mamakimscuisine.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mamakimscuisine
- Facebook: http;//facebook.com/mamakimscuisine
- Youtube: @mamakimsvietnamesecuisine
