We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hiroaki Takeda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hiroaki below.
Hi Hiroaki , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I don’t think too much about everything. When I focus on what I want to do and needs my fear goes less.So I would say I focus positive things then show less risk for me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born in Ehime Prefecture Japan by the ocean. There are mountains around and I went skiing in winter.
I grew up in nature.
Denver is surrounded by nature like my home town.
It took me a while to get used to living in heavy snow especially driving my food truck.
But on a cold snowy or rainy day, my customers are waiting for my warm food.
It makes me keep going on cold and bad weather days.
Most of my food recipes are from my mother.
I modify little for high elevation flavor.
My mother Machiko is my teacher who I am as me and a chef today.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I was working for a Tour Company when I came to the US. I worked 7 days to save money to come to the US.
My first job was a Tour Guide in Las Vegas.
I guide and also cook for job and own camping.
There are so many National Parks near Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon National Park, Zion, Bryce National Park.
I also went to the Yosemite, Kings Canyon area, too.
Then I had a chance to come to Denver for my tour one day.
The tour company started developing business in Colorado.
This was the turning point of my life.
After I lived here for a while I decided to live here for my own business to open a Food Truck.
I didn’t have much money.
I didn’t know many people.
I didn’t know much about food trucks.
But I remember I had a dream to open Ramen Food Truck for cold weather Colorado and will make it happen.
I met some great people in Denver.
One person made my first food truck within my budget.
He gave me information about the Commissary and I went to see.
The manager of the Commissary is a great person and he explained to me so many things about food truck business.
I found some Breweries which gave me a spot for my food truck.
I started having regular customers.
Other food truck operators gave me a lot of information about business.
I can’t stop appreciating the people who are supporting me and my business.
I could not do all these by myself.
I have met so many great people and I will meet more.
I try to be the one who can give hands to other people,too
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We are available for events and catering. We can come out with a food truck or drop off.
Contact Info:
- Website: NinjaRamenMobilecom
- Instagram: NinjaRamenMobile
- Facebook: NinjaRamenMobile@denverfoodtruck
