Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Irvin.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Yes, of course, my name is Ashley Irvin and I am 24 years old, born and raised in Humble, Texas. Half Mexican, half American. My mother, Maria Irvin, is from Hidalgo, Mexico, and we both started Amalia’s Tacos. This all started when I was working in construction on and off again for a couple of years and after a failed attempt at an MLM business adventure next to my high school friends. 18 years old and driving all around Houston in an old F150 with no AC talking about investment plans and different types of life insurance to older folks. Those memories make me laugh, yet I cherish them because we were so innocent yet so hungry to make something of ourselves. And that drive still hasn’t left me yet. Fast forward to still floating through life, I now find myself working outside in refineries, warehouses, construction sites of sorts saving up for what I thought was school and living a 20-something-year-old life. Alongside my older sister, we would always bounce ideas off of each other at 4 am on our way to work and seeing what get-rich-quick scheme we could do so we wouldn’t have to continue that harsh lifestyle. My family and I have spent a significant amount of time growing up in Mexico, so I like to think of it as we got by the best of both worlds. And there is this notion that because you are born in The States, you don’t struggle as much financially, and in comparison, you don’t as much to third-world countries, of course, but the struggle is still real as some may say lol especially growing up with a good-sized family in a trailer home. I’ve climbed 200ft towers, worked in an aircraft carrier, a submarine, cleaned homes, worked in restaurants, been a tutor, graduated community college, and recently tried university, where I met somebody that would change my life. A nice gentleman that took me under his beautiful wing and showed me the ways of business. Mom has been in The States for quite some time now, cleaning houses, worked in restaurants, sold clothes, anything to help provide for the family. A hard working woman with great people skills and a desire for business. Fast forward, and we’re here now at Amalia’s Tacos trying to make it happen, and a full circle moment; Amalia means hard-working girl, funny, right? Mom and I decided to go for this jump since she has always had business tendencies, and honestly, it has been nothing but support from my family and the community since I think they identify with us. Just a small family, a mother, and daughter supporting each other in trying to make it, with the support of a good team of course.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I cry sometimes haha. Becoming a business owner has not been as glamorous as one may imagine it to be. Especially a food trailer; they’re not sexy lol or oozing with successful career vibes! When I tell people what I am up to I can hear the disappointment in their voice or some are not as coy about it and will straight up laugh in my face. It’s a mental battle for sure, not knowing if you’ve chosen the right path for yourself, listening to people’s constant criticism, figuring out how we are going to pay the bills, a fridge breaking down, the electricity not working, so, of course, the road has had difficulties, but I am bigger than them. And despite it all, I have become more determined than ever to make it flourish and make our vision into a reality. Not a lot of people see it, and that is okay, as long as my mother and I see it, and the people who advise me and guide me; other than that I don’t really mind for people’s opinions over the business. In my mind, we don’t lose, and I know the obstacles will make the victory so much sweeter! There has been negative, but there has also been positive, and honestly, I try not to listen to either but just stand confident in our team that we provide an amazing customer service, a tasty taco, and a mean salsa! A smile when meeting people + a tasty taco like cmon haha cmonnnnn! I just don’t see how that could not workout in our favor!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I want the readers to know that this is a humble family from Humble, Texas, pun absolutely intended, who are just trying to make it. It’s your next-door neighbors who have struggled and have now mustered up the courage to feed the local community tacos with an authentic Mexican touch. See, I’m spoiled! I’ve been to the deepest parts of Mexico and have tasted true Mexican cuisine to know a good taco from a bad one. We’re picky, and we just want to bring that to the area since yes taco trucks are everywhere but one how we do it? No sirree! For my Mexican folk, no señor! Haha we’re also a vibe; I like to think so. Being Mexican means respecting your culture through having a happy spirit, pride in a hardworking spirit, finding fulfillment in being family-oriented, and of course, delight when biting into a good taco. That’s what I want the readers to know; that’s what Amalia’s Tacos is about.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
La vida da muchas vueltas. Meaning life is unpredictable; you never know who you are serving or meeting in general. So, my rule of thumb is to be as absolutely kind as I can possibly be when meeting someone new. And being open to what they have to say, since I don’t know it all of course! Learning to be coachable but being smart in vetting out what advice to take and not to take. Learning how to filter out what I want to feed my mind from what I don’t. Yeah, so just treat people right, and by doing good, good will come unto you, I suppose. If you make a mistake or mistreat someone, try to correct it, learn from it, and move forward. Keep moving forward, every day get better, every day get stronger mentally, with hopes that one day we will make it
Contact Info:
- Contact: Amalia’s Tacos (346) 386-3088
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaliastacos/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093192005098
Image Credits
German Martinez
