Meet Naomi Colon

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Naomi Colon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Naomi , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My mother is the cornerstone of my work ethic. Growing up, I watched her hold down two or three jobs at a time, tirelessly working to provide for us. Despite the instability of my father’s presence, she was a rock—unwavering and relentless in her pursuit to ensure we had everything we needed. Her strength wasn’t just in her ability to work hard, but in her incredible gift for finding a way through any obstacle that life threw at her.

From her, I learned what it means to be dedicated. I saw firsthand that work isn’t just about putting in the hours; it’s about putting your heart into everything you do, no matter how challenging it gets. Her example taught me that perseverance and commitment can move mountains. It’s a lesson that’s become a part of my very being.

In addition to constantly working to make sure that things got done she managed to do it all without complaint. She made sure that we did not see her pain. She made sure that we knew that nothing would be handed to us and that you have to work for what you want but in the same breathe she made it known that we were ALWAYS going to be ok.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Kitchen Hippies produces a line a premium beverage mixers, caters cocktail bars and offers a line of beverage and hospitality consulting services,

The Morning After Bloody Mary mix is my labor of love! Seeing people taste it for the first time gives me a sense of happiness every time. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in food service management from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte NC and all roads in every conversation kept leading back to “well why aren’t you managing the place?”  “You are wasting your talent!” Long story short I was stuck.  I thought I had all the time in the world to fulfill my career goals and then I fell in love.  I got married and had kids.  I no longer wanted to spend 60+ hours in a bar or restaurant away from my kids.  I wanted to make sure I had the time to be that PTA mom, a present parent, at church on Sunday and a present wife.   I love my job and I love what I do, but I don’t want to bartend forever so where do I go from here?  I went to several She Flew The Coop meetings, which is a great non profit that helps women fly to coop of comfort and live their truth.  I was working on my mindset and working on my personal growth but I decided at their “courage” meeting I was gonna take the leap of faith and leave my comfort zone to pursue my passion. I decided in that moment that I was going to show my kids the difference in being here every day and showing UP to really live everyday. Turning my hobby into my awesome business was the best step in pursuing my passion to show my children what it means to go for it and never quit.

I am dedicated to bringing people together through the joy of food and beverage. Our all natural Bloody Mary mix is made from the freshest, juiciest tomatoes, carefully selected to ensure the highest quality and taste. Kitchen Hippies believe in using only the finest, natural ingredients to create a delicious and refreshing drink that brings happiness to every sip.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting on my journey, I’d say the three pillars that truly made a difference were my understanding of flavor combinations, my skills in hospitality, and my experience in sales. These areas not only shaped my path but also create the foundation for my current successes.

For those just starting out, my advice is simple: never stop learning. The world is always evolving, and staying informed and educated is key to staying ahead. Take advantage of free business courses. They’re a treasure trove of information and can give you a structured understanding of how to manage and grow your business.

In hospitality, remember that the experience you provide is just as important as the product you offer. Treat every interaction as an opportunity to make a positive impression. Practice active listening, empathy, and always aim to exceed expectations.

It is YOUR business so make sure you are sharing YOUR story, Learn to communicate effectively and with passion. I promise you’ll see how it resonates with your customers.

To develop these skills, surround yourself with mentors and peers who embody the qualities you admire. Their mindset and habits will rub off on you. Networking is invaluable – it opens doors to opportunities and learning that you might not find on your own.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As Kitchen Hippies continues to grow we are looking to collaborate or partner with a co-packer and distributor. Balancing life as a mom and a full-time employee is a juggling act, especially when you’re trying to craft, market, sell, pack, and distribute a product all on your own.

I’m really trying to find a co-packer who gets it – someone who shares my values and is committed to maintaining the high quality and integrity of my product. It’s super important to me that the essence of what I’ve created isn’t lost in the process.

Teaming up with a company that can handle the production and another that can take care of distribution would be a game-changer. It would free up some much-needed time for me to focus on scaling up The Morning After and really getting it out there in a big way.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@poprockphotography @themorningaftershop

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