Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bebeau.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, I try to make the most out of small town life. I am the older sister to a younger brother with special needs. Since I was 3, I’ve been available to help out my family whenever needed — a big reason I’ve never moved to the city.
I grew up with entrepreneurship in my blood. My paternal grandfather founded the first anesthesiology group in the state of Texas in 1952; and my father’s sister married into the Zummo Meat Company family. I’ve been admiring the hard work and dedication it takes to run a successful family business by watching them for decades.
Out of college, I helped my father’s youngest brother to launch a frozen food product with Zummo sausage in it — Bebeaux’s Cajun Food. It was my very first marketing gig straight out of college. We were able to get the product into 36 grocery stores across Texas, including HEB. I spent my weekend handing out samples of gumbo to some of the toughest critics near the Texas/Louisiana border. It was tough, but I learned incredibly valuable information.
In 2015, I became a big cheerleader of my community’s restaurant scene and the eat local movement. I realized that big cities had dedicated food influencers, but my city didn’t. On an impulse, SETXfoodies was created online. Each time I would visit a restaurant, I’d snap a photo to let people know what’s available. The hashtag #SETXfoodies was born and eventually local restaurants are starting using it, and my following kept growing.
I received amazing opportunities from SETXfoodies, including writing a weekly food and drink column for Cat5, a weekly supplement to The Beaumont Enterprise, owned by Hearst Newspapers until Dec 2016.
In February 2017, my entire world was turned upside down when my father passed away suddenly in Las Vegas. After that, I had a quarter life crisis. Not knowing what the future held for me and not having the security of my Dad to rely on anymore. At the suggestion of my mother, I started reaching out to small business owners about their social media presence. Then, something amazing happened: These local owners had been watching my passion and consistency for all things local and started to trust me. I ended the year with a full fledged public relations agency called Passion PR Group, a handful of clients, a contract with the Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau launching an entire food campaign with the city, and helping pioneer the first ever Restaurant Week in Beaumont.
During 2018, fate was leaving breadcrumb trail when I encountered the food delivery service called Favor, owned by the HEB grocery chain. I had experience working in tech, and third party delivery years ago, it didn’t end well. I was shocked at what flexible partnership Favor Delivery offered local restaurants compared to the competition. So, I kept up friendly communication and then in May 2019, I was offered the opportunity to join Favor as a Sales Executive from Beaumont to Pasadena. My life has been on an amazing trajectory since! I was even honored as one of Southeast Texas’ 40 Under 40 Young Professionals in the area!
I am the luckiest girl in the world, getting to visit restaurants for a living. I feel privileged to learn the stories behind the passion of these owners and being able to share the items they serve. Some owners I meet are even trusting enough to tell me their plans, show me the blueprints, and hire me to manage their entire online presence! I think back to 2015 sometimes, and wonder what life would be like if I never created SETXfoodies — Then, I thank myself daily for taking a chance and trying something new.
In 2020, I’m treated like a rockstar in my hometown. I try to help others just like I’ve been helped along the way. When you’re kind, great things can happen. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that taking chances is as important as is consistency in your work. Be unique, and never look back. Sometimes people will laugh at you for doing something different, but don’t be nervous because things would be stagnant otherwise.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been a smooth road. Some days I would receive criticism that questioned my whole purpose. It’s hard to try something other people aren’t doing and declaring yourself an “expert” when it is just me and my camera. I’ve lost some of the people closest to me in life and still had to keep going for the sake of my family. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have met amazing people along the way who hold me up when I need it most.
Please tell us about the company.
Passion PR Group is the only food blogger (SETXfoodies) who also works for a tech company, Favor Delivery. I spend my work life in restaurants learning what works and what doesn’t from all perspectives. Owners tell me everything, and I can use that to my client’s advantage in all realms. I have frequent appearances on 12NewsNow as part of “Foodie Friday” and “The Roy West Show,” an iHeartMedia show for local business owners to discuss SETX.
I am known for stellar food photos, an amazing work ethic, and innovative ideas. I’m always involved in something, and I like to know what’s coming to town before it gets here. If you’re opening a business, I am your hype man!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the future, I want to continue to do marketing and working with restaurants. Maybe a gig for a hospitality company, perhaps? For now, I’m completely enjoying making Sales for Favor Delivery and helping local business owners through Passion PR Group.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.passionprgroup.com
- Phone: 4094446791
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: setxfoodies
- Facebook: setxfoodies
- Other: www.instagram.com/passionprgroup
Image Credit:
Photography by: Lauren Bebeau
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
