Meet Luismiguel Flores

We recently connected with Luismiguel Flores and have shared our conversation below.

Luismiguel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My purpose really started at home, with the values my parents instilled in me. My dad was a hardworking, selfless provider, and my mom created a nurturing home environment. I vividly remember always telling my parents, ‘We should open a restaurant with the food we eat at home because it’s so good.’ Even from a young age, I recognized the joy and connection that food brought to our family, and that love for cooking and sharing meals stayed with me.

As I grew up, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer and going to law school, which eventually led me to explore different career paths in business management. These roles equipped me with the skills to manage people and understand the technical side of running a business, even though my passion for food and entertaining was always there. Italian cooking became a special focus for me because it was something my mom didn’t cook, so I taught myself. I’ve always loved hosting people—bringing them together through food and creating a welcoming environment. The joy I get from seeing people enjoy my food is what drives my catering business today.

But beyond passion, finding my purpose also required understanding the technical side of running a business. I’ve faced the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship and the need for grit to keep going. Growing up, I moved frequently between schools because my parents weren’t satisfied with the quality of teaching. This constant change helped me learn how to adapt and become comfortable in new environments. That experience shaped my resilience, which has been essential in my business journey.

In my professional career, I spent seven years working closely with finance, contracts, and insurance. My last role at Community Partners in the non-profit sector gave me hands-on experience with back-office operations, which has been invaluable in running my own business today.

A key turning point came in 2010, when I was introduced to a catering company in Northridge. My sister’s mother-in-law worked there and got me the opportunity. It wasn’t planned—I wasn’t invited by the owner—but they needed someone to fill in, and I stepped up. That first job led to a long-term connection with the owner, Scott, who recognized my hard work and positive attitude. I ended up working for him for nine years, learning the ropes of the catering industry. That’s when I knew I wanted to open my own business.

In 2017, after the birth of my first child, I realized I needed to create something more for my family. I started a catering side hustle, which initially provided extra income on the weekends. But instead, I reinvested everything back into the business, and by 2022, it grew into a full-blown operation. Now, in 2024, we have our first food trailer, and we’re looking to expand further, with dreams of opening a restaurant. Every step along the way—from my upbringing to my professional experiences—has been like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. And today, that puzzle forms a beautiful business that not only feeds people but also provides for my family.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the owner of a catering company that’s grown from a small weekend side hustle into a full-scale operation with our very first food trailer. My journey into catering began years ago, almost by chance, when I was introduced to the industry through a company called Big Screen Cuisine in Northridge. What started as filling in for a single event eventually became nine years of learning the ropes of the catering business. During that time, I discovered my passion not only for cooking but for creating experiences that bring people together through food.

Our business specializes in wood-fire pizza, which has become the heart of what we do. While we offer Italian cooking, it’s the art of making wood-fire pizza that really sets us apart. There’s something special about the process of creating pizza from scratch and watching people enjoy it fresh out of the oven. I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they try our pizza. For me, it’s not just about serving food, but creating a welcoming and memorable experience.

We started our business in late 2019, just before the pandemic hit. By the fall, we were fine-tuning our recipes and getting our ovens ready, creating a plan to launch. Our first catering event was in February 2020, a family gathering of 100 people. I can tell you, the way we catered that party is not how we do things now—we’ve learned a lot and become much more efficient. But as you know, in March 2020, everything shut down, and nobody was catering. We had to pivot. After taking a few months to regroup, we began popping up in East Los Angeles for the rest of the pandemic, adjusting our approach and continuing to serve our community.

What makes our brand unique is the blend of artistry and business acumen that we bring to the table. I’ve worked in HR and business management for years, which gave me the skills to manage people, finances, and the logistical side of things. Balancing the creative side of cooking with the technical aspects of running a business has been essential to our success.

In terms of what’s new, we’re excited to be expanding our operation. We launched our first food trailer recently, which allows us to serve more people and bring our wood-fire pizza to different venues and events. And this is just the beginning—we’re looking to grow further, with dreams of opening a restaurant in the near future. We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re always reinvesting in the business to make sure we’re offering the best possible service and food to our clients.

At the heart of it all, our mission is simple: to provide great food and great experiences. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or a family gathering, we strive to make every event special. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received and excited for what’s next.

 

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I would say the three most impactful qualities or skills that shaped my journey have been adaptability, resilience, and a strong foundation in business operations.

1. Adaptability: This was crucial, especially during the pandemic. When everything shut down in March 2020, we had just done our first catering event in February. Instead of being discouraged, we pivoted. We took a few months to rethink our approach and began popping up in East Los Angeles for the rest of the pandemic. This adaptability allowed us to continue growing despite the challenging circumstances. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to remain flexible and open to change. The road won’t always be straightforward, but being adaptable can help you find new opportunities when challenges arise.
2. Resilience: Running a business, especially as an entrepreneur, requires grit. There will be ups and downs, and it’s essential to push through tough times. Growing up, I moved around a lot, which taught me to adjust to new environments and face uncertainty head-on. That experience prepared me for the roller coaster of running a business. My advice for building resilience is to embrace discomfort and understand that failure is part of the process. Every challenge is a lesson that makes you stronger.
3. Business Operations: Having a solid grasp of the technical side of running a business has been invaluable. My background in HR, finance, and contracts gave me the foundation I needed to manage not just the creative side of the business but also the day-to-day operations. Understanding the business side helps keep things running smoothly. For those early in their journey, I recommend focusing on learning the ins and outs of business operations. It’s not just about the product or service you’re passionate about—it’s also about how you manage the business behind it.

For anyone starting out, these three areas—adaptability, resilience, and business knowledge—can set the foundation for long-term success. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to evolve as you go.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I’ve been fortunate to have several people who’ve helped me overcome challenges and build the skills I needed to be successful, but three stand out: my family, my best friend’s family (the Diazes), and my mentor from Big Screen Cuisine, Scott.

First, my family has been my foundation, especially my parents and my spouse, Ashley Gomez. My dad, through his hard work and selflessness, showed me the value of persistence and resilience, while my mom fostered a nurturing environment that encouraged me to explore my passion for cooking. Ashley has been my rock and constant support since we started our journey together in 2010. When I started my catering business after the birth of our first child, it was the values from my family and Ashley’s support that gave me the strength to push forward, even when things were uncertain. My extended family and friends have been my tribe, always stepping in to help with the kids, while my brothers and brothers-in-law are quick to jump in and assist with events when I need them. Having that support network has been crucial in balancing my work and personal life.

Joe and Lorraine Diaz, my best friend parents, were also instrumental in helping me find my way. Through their plumbing business, they showed me firsthand what a successful business can provide for a family. I was practically part of their family—coming along for family vacations, family dinners, and witnessing how their business supported a fulfilling life. Seeing their success up close gave me a clear vision of what was possible and motivated me to create something similar for my own family.

My best friend Joseph has always been there when I’ve needed a hand. He’s been a constant source of encouragement, always lifting me up when I have doubts and pushing me forward when I needed it the most. His support has been invaluable throughout my journey.

Finally, Scott, the owner of Big Screen Cuisine in Northridge, played a pivotal role in my development. I got my start in catering when my sister’s mother-in-law connected me to the company in 2010. Scott saw something in me from the start, recognizing my hard work and positive attitude, and gave me the chance to learn the ins and outs of the catering business. I worked for him for nine years, and during that time, I learned not only the technical aspects of catering but also how to lead, manage people, and approach challenges creatively. His mentorship gave me the confidence to eventually start my own catering business.

All of these people—my family, Ashley, my tribe of friends and extended family, the Diazes, Joseph, and Scott—were instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and build the resilience, adaptability, and business skills I needed to be successful. My advice to others is to surround yourself with people who believe in you and push you to grow. Mentorship and support are invaluable when you’re navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
N/A

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney 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.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,