Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Silvio Correa, Chef, and Director of Silvio Personal Chef and TROPICALI Brazilian Kitchen, located in Redondo Beach, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a Grill Master. I can grill everything my clients want me to. I have various kinds of clients from all backgrounds and tastes, from meat-eater to vegans. I love when people feel good, no matter what place they are, it could be an important meeting or celebrating their birthday, or just enjoying a BBQ with families and friends in their own backyard.
Tell us about yourself
I started cooking when he was 14 years old. While enjoying the weekends traveling and surfing the North Coast of Sao Paulo (Brazil). In Maresias Beach, I fell in love with the culinary experience of meats and seafood. I remember the end of the afternoon I went to meet with the Fishman on the beach to source fresh fish. I walked back to the lodge, live fish in hands, to create the freshest seafood recipes with vegetables, seasonings, and wraps of banana leaves on the grill.
At the local butcher shop, shop owners knew and loved me. I always purchased the best cuts of meat to prepare barbeques for my friends and family to enjoy. Silvio's BBQs rapidly picked up popularity, and I began getting invites to cook at parties for friends and families. The satisfaction on my clients' faces it's what motivates me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In 2003 my friends and I started my first Brazilian Barbecue Catering Company in Southern California, which became one of the biggest Food Vending and Brazilian Catering in LA. We attended events such as the Coachella Music Festival, in which they once cooked 4,000 pounds of meat (2-tons) in one weekend.
In 2008 that grew into me and my friends opening our first restaurant in Hermosa Beach called Silvio's Brazilian BBQ. Which remains a local's favorite and won 8 years in a row Best Ethnic BBQ of "Best Of The Beach Awards" in 2017 from Easy Reader local News Paper!
In 2017 I started Silvio Personal Chef, which returns to my roots, cooking and barbecuing in my client's houses, just has done for friends in the beginning. Now I am cooking over Malibu, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and other areas throughout Southern California.
In 2018 decide opened my Newest Catering Company, TROPICALI Brazilian Kitchen, which specializes in Catering for Corporations, providing the traditional Brazilian Cuisine. My small company has held large lunches throughout the Los Angeles area and has catered to large corporations such as Bird Rides Inc., SIEA Sony, Paramount Studios, SoFi Stadium, Fox Sports, and other corporations. Yes, I fulfilled my dreams, but I never stopped dreaming.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you are the owner, you never stop working, constantly thinking about what you can do better each day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Try to start your business on your own, and don't listen to people say you can't do it.
- It is ok to make mistakes now; it is time to listen, but you need to fix them right away, paying attention to the details.
- It is not gonna be easy, but you need to enjoy the ride and be happy you own your own business; be grateful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website:
https://www.silviopersonalchef.com/
https://www.tropicali.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tropicalibraziliankitchen
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silviopersonalchef/
https://www.instagram.com/tropicalicatering/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviopersonalchef/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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