We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alicia Boyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alicia below.
Alicia, 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?
It’s such an honor and privilege to answer this question! The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, couldn’t be more true for me. It all started in the neighboring homes of my grandmother, aunt, and mother, who all raised me. My grandmother Alice’s story started young, as she is the oldest of twelve brothers and sisters. At the age of ten, she helped raise and care for her siblings while still being raised herself. At the age of nineteen, she moved from Eastern Shore Virginia to Maryland, for a better life, with fifty dollars to her name and her children in tow. Her best friend had first heard about the seafood industry and brought my grandmother with her to shuck oysters. At first, my grandmother traveled seasonally and eventually decided to settle in Maryland. From 1959, she worked at the local seafood houses, shucking clams, oysters, and picking crabs. In the off-season, she worked in produce fields picking strawberries, cucumbers, and green beans as well. She held that career for 33 years while caring for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the widows in the local community. At the age of 83 years old, she can still be found making rolls, crab cakes, and other seafood staples for the local waterman and community. If you met my grandmother today, she would tell you how proud she is to have served “every denomination of people,” at her dinner table. My grandmother has been one of my greatest teachers in food, love, and family. My vision has always been to create the same, “seat at grandma’s table” feeling for my clients.
My Aunt Colleen’s story started at the young age of eight. Instead of working in the produce fields, she babysat the children and cleaned the homes of the field workers. Up until 10 years ago, my aunt had always worked at least two or three jobs at a time. From hotels to seafood restaurants to retail stores, she had maintained most of those careers for seven years or more! Several employers repeatedly recognized her exceptional work ethic. She tells the stories of being invited to move from a part-time temporary to a full-time permanent role, granted her wish to never have to work the register again, and taking a vacation anytime she wanted. There was even an incident where two managers begged on the floor, in front of the whole store for her not to resign. She has run a successful childcare business for 24 years, opening all hours of the day and night to accommodate first responders and others who had special circumstances. She has worked and worked hard, but always had time for her family and community. She was the person who taught me how to ride a bike and bake my first cake.
My Mom Sheila’s story is as courageous and bold as my grandmother’s and aunt’s. At ten years old, she had jobs doing lawn care and cleaning houses. Even before that, she worked in the produce fields with the rest of her siblings during the summer. She also had a full career working in seafood houses, a call center, hotels, and museums. When she found out she was pregnant with me she became even more committed to building a good life for us. So much so that when I was eight weeks and one day old, she woke up and went to get a haircut, and called a headhunter (known as a temp agency these days), to find her a job. She earned one in banking as a teller shortly after. While working at the bank, she also worked part-time at McDonalds, so that our family could purchase a home. Because of my mother’s diligence, she created a home full of care and love. She created a place where family and friends are always welcome and want to be. Her passion for excellence and ability to set the ambiance and create a peaceful space where people can gather is something I carry with me.
These leading ladies in my life have always set the example to have a passion for hard work, creative, and delicious foods, warm environments, open hearts, and plenty of seats at the table. They are my history and I am their heritage. I am their wildest dream and they are my greatest inspiration. I proudly carry on my family’s exemplary work ethic and legacy of heartfelt hospitality
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Alicia Boyd(pronounced uh-lee-suh), wife, mother, innovator, and Humble Hearts Catering & Events Owner. As a child,I never had any other dream than to be a chef and have my own business. I have watched my family feed hundreds of people in our community. To see my family’s level of hospitality pouring into others, I always believed us to have a family restaurant. My catering business is one of the ways I strive to honor the women in my life; by elevating the joy and comfort they shared, and serving it to my community..My life’s mission is to be a woman who fosters community through hospitality and healthy relationships, which leave a legacy of friendship and leadership for her family and future generations.
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?
Community, vision, and grit have been the most impactful in my journey. I have been dreaming big and building a team of wise people in my corner. I couldn’t have made it this far into our business without the group of wise advisors that I have set around me. There are so many things that I don’t know about running a business. I’m determined to continue to walk in purpose, write the vision, make it simple, and allow the strength and wisdom from my community to help us break barriers together. The best advice I can give is to lean into your community. Mine is a whole tribe! People have supported me in every aspect of the business from recommending me to clients, operations guidance, to the “soul” behind the service care, and much more. I have partnered with some amazing like-minded “friendors”, to accomplish some major feats, while developing and growing in my unique identity. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Running a business, especially a catering business, can often be a high-stress assignment. There have been many times when I have felt overwhelmed and burnt out. I’m not only a business owner but a wife and mom. I have a responsibility to manage all these assignments with care. Starting this year, I have committed to making myself a priority, so I could give my best to others. I often wake up between 4 am and 5 am to read a devotional, a chapter from my latest book, and enjoy some me time. This has helped me set my day up for success no matter what tasks I have to tackle. My cup is full and everyone else is getting my overflow. This time has helped me see the importance of boundaries and not allowing my identity to get lost in what I do and don’t do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.humbleheartsevents.com
- Instagram: hhcateringandevents
- Facebook: hhcateringandevents
Image Credits
Seasonal Grazing Display – Alicia Boyd
