We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yesbabe- Co-founders Veronica Cabezas And Tessa Velazquez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
YESBABE- Co-founders, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
At YESBABE, we are very aware of the toxic proclivities of the food industry, and our company was made as a reaction to that environment. We prioritize and celebrate our daily routines of meditation, journaling, affirmations, and human connection – all before even jumping into the work day!
We encourage each other, and those in our collective, to find what self-care practice makes them feel the most whole and present. This approach has been immensely effective in helping us to feel more grounded, particularly when we are juggling many balls in the air.
We also check in with each other quite often, which has allowed us create a space where we both feel safe, open to express, and grounded. By valuing embodiment, safety, and self-care, we set a standard for our own worthiness, which actually gives us the freedom to fully express our business desires and ultimately reach our goals.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
YESBABE is a female-led culinary and lifestyle collective that crafts experiences celebrating global traditions through a Latin lens. We offer:
– Unique culinary experiences and events
– Cultural curation and storytelling
– Culinary travel experiences (launching soon)
– Media content creation focused on food and culture
Our “sazón” – that je ne sais quoi which gives life to flavor and flavor to life – stems from our deep exploration of world culinary traditions, particularly those of Latin America, and our diverse network of culinary contributors and cultural curators.
“YESBABE” flips the script on the classic “YES CHEF” motto. In our kitchen, equality reigns supreme, with a crew of unique individuals bringing their vibrant personalities and life stories to the table. We break the wall between the back of the house and front of the house – in our kitchen, everyone is a BABE.
We’re very excited about our next growth stage: “Plates to Platform,” expanding from a food service business to a multi-faceted company with media, travel & e-commerce platforms.
Currently, we’re planning our first culinary trip to Latin America with a group of culinary activators, collaborating with one of our trusted babes. The trip aims to fully engage with heritage culinary practices, form mutually beneficial relationships with local communities, and promote non-extractive tourism.
This aligns perfectly with YESBABE’s core mission: using food as a universal language to foster interconnected communities thriving on joy and mutual well-being. Our goal is to inspire protection and celebration of heritage recipes, while documenting local stories, culinary practices, and cultural traditions for our media platform.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most important qualities that have been most impactful in our journey are: (1) Curiosity, (2) Intention for Purpose-Driven Growth, and (3) Embodiment.
When we started YESBABE, we determined that we wanted to grow by following what felt good, which is why we are guided by the motto “YESBABE is a feeling.” This approach requires significant inner work, including:
– Naming our long line of diverse experiences.
– Expressing gratitude for every step (and especially misstep) involved in getting us to where we are now.
– Looking inward and asking ourselves what our true desires are.
As entrepreneurs, we have the freedom to choose our own paths, but it can be very tempting to give in to external pressures about what we “should do.” It sounds simple, but it’s constant work to check in and ask ourselves, “What do we truly want?” Once we can name that and identify the associated feeling, we can always find a way to move towards accomplishing our goals. Fortunately, we have each other to provide checks and balances constantly.
This embodiment of our values and approach has allowed us the freedom to be intentional in our purpose-driven growth and the development of our creativity.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Conscious individuals, organizations and corporate groups who value meaningful connections, understand the power of intention, and see food as a catalyst for nurturing relationships and fostering innovative discussions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yesbabenyc.com/
- Instagram: @yesbabenyc
Image Credits
Paolo Verzani @paoloverzani
Albina Stoyanova @albitooo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
