Today we’d like to introduce you to Venessa & Kirstan Hawkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My husband and I both grew up in Houston. We’ve now been married for 13 years and have four amazing children. I graduated from Prairie View A\&M with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and my husband pursued a career in firefighting and EMT.
While working full-time in our respective careers, we also started catering on the side — something we’ve been doing for the past 13 years. About two years ago, we took a leap of faith and bought a food truck. It was a big move, but it allowed us to bring our food directly to the community in a more personal way.
For a while, we were juggling both the food truck and our full-time jobs. Then in November 2023, my husband stepped away from his 15-year career in the fire service to focus on the business full-time. I followed a year later, leaving my job in education in October 2024.
Not long after, in November 2024, we were approached about a potential spot opening up at the Safe Harbor Marina. At first, we didn’t think we were ready for a storefront — but God clearly had other plans. That moment shifted everything, and here we are today, doing what we love and building something that feels much bigger than just food.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been long nights, early mornings, and a constant need to wear multiple hats — from marketing and finances to operations and customer service. As entrepreneurs, it feels like the work never really stops. There have been plenty of sleepless nights spent thinking through ways to improve and keep moving forward.
One of the biggest challenges has been finding balance. We’ve had to miss family functions, kids’ games, and school events — and that part is tough. You end up working more hours than you ever would at a traditional 9-to-5, but the reward is different. There’s something deeply fulfilling about building something of your own and seeing the impact it has on your community. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Southern Vacation Catering?
We’re a family-owned business based in the Lake Conroe area, and we operate a food truck, a storefront at Safe Harbor Walden Marina, and offer full-service catering. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to quality and authenticity — everything we serve is homemade, made from scratch, and made with love.
On the food truck and at our marina location, we specialize in barbecue. It’s something my husband has spent years perfecting, and we take a lot of pride in the flavors, tenderness, and consistency of our meats. When it comes to catering, there’s not much we can’t cook — we offer a wide variety of dishes to fit any occasion.
We’re extremely proud of the standard we hold ourselves to. Every dish that leaves our kitchen goes through a quality check — if something doesn’t taste right or meet our expectations in flavor or tenderness, it simply doesn’t get served. We care deeply about the experience each customer has with our food.
One of our biggest goals is to one day be recognized among the top 50 BBQ joints by Texas Monthly. But more than that, we want people to know that this isn’t just food to us — it’s a reflection of our story, our hard work, and the love we put into every plate.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
For us, it’s the Bible. It’s my foundation and guiding light — both in business and in life. It helps me stay grounded, focused, and reminds me of my purpose, especially during the challenging times. It’s the ultimate source of wisdom, encouragement, and strength.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/southernvacationcatering?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=cef0ef7e-192b-4e5a-92fa-b7b3af3239ff
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernvacationcatering?igsh=MWpkbzhxY2FmMWp2eg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DnVPaV5ZB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@southernvacationcatering?feature=shared
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/7bMcQJm
Image Credits
@canfidenceandquirksphotography
