Thankfulness

It's the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. I have been so busy for the past 2 months that I haven't even had a chance to reflect on this Thankful holiday. Even though the original "Thanksgiving" wasn't really celebrated how we would like to think it was, it is still important to spend time with family and show gratitude for life in general. So with that being said, here is my top 3 of what I am most thankful for this year.

1. Health
Of course, I always have to be thankful for not just my good health, but also for my family and loved ones around me. I've seen so many people from a distance who have ailing friends or family members. For the most part, everyone has managed to stay healthy. My Aunt was diagnosed earlier this year with stage 4 breast cancer, but after months of chemotherapy and a radical mastectomy, she looks almost as if nothing has ever happened to her! Blessings from God for sure!!

Then of course there was Mama. She had to be taken to the ER twice this year. This lady.... there was absolutely nothing wrong with her. The first time, she didn't realize she took her medications TWICE. The second time she FORGOT to take her meds! Aye-yay-yay.

Here's a pic of the Carrido Family, it's not all of us, but it captures a lot of us for the most part. The only ones really missing in this is the Texas Family and of course those in the Philippines and Australia. Auntie Pinky wanted to capture everyone looking as healthy as possible before Auntie Lala had her surgery. Papa would be proud of what we've all become.

2. Sticky's Chicken
Yes, I'm thankful for the prospering business my brother and I created from practically nothing. This by far has got to be the toughest year that we've had. I feel like I've experienced more ups and downs with this endeavor than anything else in my life. We have had 3 official offers and 2 unofficial offers for partnership on opening a restaurant and possibly turning it into a food chain. We were recognized throughout the year on different sites; thrillist.com, yelp, papercitymag.com and other local blogs and sites. We also landed a partnership with UberEats Houston! Even though we had to turn down an opportunity of a lifetime in California, I don't regret any decisions we have made to continue in what we believe in. This year I learned the value of our company and how much it really means to me.

Huntington Beach, CA 

3. All the Little Blessings in Between

This year for some reason, my little prayers I've been asking God for have been answered. To others they might be insignificant, but for me they mean the world. Every single time I'm at my last straw on something, it doesn't matter what it is, but right at the moment I'm about ready to give up, God surprises me and he does it in a HUGE way. I can't be thankful enough for my faith in our Savior. He has helped me stay strong through every super low in my life. 

In conclusion, I'm truly grateful for my life. The awesome people that have come and gone throughout my life, especially this entire year have been the best supporters and have shown me love that I didn't even know existed. I'm truly blessed to have experienced this past year. I am now a stronger, more faithful and open person because of every experience and each person I've met. 

So, thank YOU.

There's ALWAYS Something

So today was the day that I've patiently waited a very long time for. I've prayed for strength and guidance for this moment to come so that I wouldn't get ahead of myself (like I always do). You can't even begin to understand my excitement when I got the text. It's almost a dream come true for me.... things like this don't usually happen.

I met him. Simply put, it made me happy.

Walking on Red

There are girls who collect purses, girls who collect clothes, or even makeup. I so happen to be a shoe girl. I love the way a nice shoe adds the perfect detail to a sexy outfit. Or the way a shoe adds character to an everyday look. It's always the shoes that pulls the entire "look" together. 

Yesterday I bought my first pair of Louboutins, it made me feel accomplished. Maybe it's the Filipino in me, but one of my life goals is to have an extensive designer shoe collection. I am by all means not a materialistic person, but I do however can appreciate nice things. For a long time, I have promised to buy myself a beautiful pair of shoes and it finally happened. 

Working hard pays off. It's ok to indulge and buy yourself something nice, you deserve it! Starting a business, getting fired from my "stable" job and then maintaining to grow our business in its second year.... I think I deserve it.

I will now go and walk confidently in my "red-bottomed-shoes" that symbolize my hard work and accomplishments. Until that is... I fall over. haha..

I Hope it's Not Too Late

Days.....

turned into

Weeks....

turned into

Months....

Now we have come full circled into a year. 

Today was the day that I believed would only come in my dreams. Never did I think this moment would become a reality for me. It's crazy, because now that it's here, I'm not sure how I really feel about it. A part of me is happy and excited, but at the same time I'm sad and scared again. Then there's this other weird emotion that's telling me: "Seriously?! You still care??"

I honestly wish I could be more happy and excited than this, but I can't forget how the heartache made me feel. I have so many questions, but for some reason it's almost as if now I don't care to know the answers. That's how much it hurt.... so hurt that I'm numb. 

Living in a Shark Tank

If you asked me 2 years ago, "How do you see yourself in 5 years?" My answer would have gone something like this:

I'll most likely be working in a management position for a company and hopefully work my way up to director, VP or maybe even CEO! Hopefully within those 5 years I'll have completed or in the works to complete my MBA. 

Boy was I naive.

Since the 2 years have passed, I got fired from my "secure job" and my brother and I created a company that has the potential to become a lot bigger than what we first expected. In our innocent minds, we just imagined not having to work for "The Man" and make our own money the way we want to. We did it, we are living the American Dream. We created something out of nothing and are thriving.

So what's next?

This past year, and mind you, we've only gone through 7 months of it as I type, we have been approached by 3 and a half offers/potential investors. I say half, because that offer was through word of mouth and that party never really took the time to come out and meet with us. As my brother and I sit through these "talk sessions" (I call them "talk sessions" because they never really want to admit it's a meeting about how they can involve themselves with us) I can't help but notice 3 common points in their pitches:

1)     I love your food and I want to take you to the next level. You have no money? Don't worry about   it, we'll figure it out. 

Of course you love our food, that shit is good! I know the money will come from you, you're just trying to diversify your portfolio. How much stake do you really want from us?

2)     I have all the resources you need to get to the next level, just look at my accomplishments! I believe with my knowledge, experience and network we can become the next Chipotle.

Oooookkkkkaaayyyy??? But do I even like YOU as a person?? This is a life long commitment here, can I work with you FOREVER?!?!?! Have you even worked in a restaurant??

3)     
*** My personal Favorite *** – This is a ONCE IN A LIFTIME OPPORTUNITY!!! We don't offer this kind of deal with just anyone and we get a lot of people coming up to us all the time. We have never offered anything like this to anyone because we don't work with just anyone!

Of course you've never offered this kind of deal, because our shit is one of a kind!!! And how are you offering a "once in a lifetime" when that other guy said he was "once in a lifetime?" Maybe ya'll should talk to each other, game plan and come back to us.

Don't get me wrong, it's SUPER flattering. I laughed at my dad when he raised the spatula and said: "I'm going to give you a million dollar sauce for free!" Now look at us, people actually want a piece of it. I can't believe this is actually happening. All I hope for is that the Big Guy upstairs leads us in the right direction for success.

What I've learned through all this, do what your gut tells you is right and PRAY. You will hear opposing critics inside and outside your circle, but YOU and God are the only ones who knows what the next best thing is for yourself. Live your dreams and live passionately. Everyone can have their opinion, but the only opinion that matters is yours.

If you ask me now what I'll be doing in 5 years, I confidently tell you I'll be living my dreams.