We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what’s your definition for success?
I used to think that success was a look or an action that you see. Now, with me being in the position I’m in, I know that success is a feeling. Your success is dependent upon how you measure yourself in life not what everyone sees or thinks.

People think that I am successful because I am own several businesses and have now been 1+ year working for myself. But what they don’t know is even though I am doing extremely well, I’ve not reach my desired level of success within this. Not yet.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the founder of a new food truck coming soon called Brunch Me Please! It will be located in Carlsbad, New Mexico then eventually travel among the United States. BMP! has already made itself a household name in Carlsbad. This is the very first business I started and since the first day it has hit the community hard with great food and flavor. During New Mexico’s festival season is where I was really able to get the name out there. And if you know about the festivities in New Mexico then you know it’s really busy!

With the food truck, there has been some challenges getting it going due to lack of consistency in mechanics and the iamchefandrea private chef brand taking off the way it has. But I will not be defeated in any way. It is still on the way.

Because of BMP! doing so well I’ve been able to start the iamchefandrea catering brand. I get to be a little more flexible and personal with this brand. I do a lot more filming with this therefore you truly get to know me as much as possible business wise. The YouTube channel has already kicked off but right now, I’m currently working to amp it up with a tv series.

There’s so much more to come it’s hard to explain it all and I think that’s where the challenges come in. I’m only one person so I’m working hard to develop the proper team to delegate some of these responsibilities to. Finding the right person/ people is extremely hard. It’s hard to get someone to see your vision through their eyes. Patience is definitely something I’ve learned along this journey. If you know me, then you know I’m an if I want it right now, I get it right now type of person. But it doesn’t ways work like that lol.

Either way I am absolutely proud of my current accomplishments. Making front pages of the newspaper, placing 3rd in the Green Chile Cheeseburger Cookoff and catering this year’s Winter & Wine Festival hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. I couldn’t be any happier to be apart of these events and much more. I’m also proud of my future accomplishments because there’s no way I’m done yet. Not even close!

Becoming a private/ traveling chef has opened many doors for me. As I said earlier, I’m extremely thankful to be catering this years Winter & Wine Festival’s VIP night and general admission Saturday. There will be a massive charcuterie board, prime rib carving station, hors’ deurves, pasta, cheesecake and more! Shoutout to Brittany Walterscheid who reached out to me for the event. Thank you for believing in me!
I’ve also been very fortunate to cater several oil field companies such as Occidental Petroleum and Devon Energy and keep them as retaining clients. But as of right now, I feel as tho the 2022 Carlsbad 40 Under 40 award ceremony and Southeast New Mexico State College (SENMC) Faculty Appreciation Day has topped almost everything for me. Both events were spectacular and I had the honor of serving Mayor Dale Janway and House Representative Cathrynn Brown at the SENMC.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would have to start at Milton’s Brewery. That place is like family! They’ve shown me so much love setting up and serving food on their Trivia Tuesdays and so much more. We must stop at Pecos River Cafe if it’s the day time or Lucky Bull if it’s at night. Then we would head out to the Carlsbad Caverns. I haven been there yet but I know it’s a must see. People come from all over to world to witness it. A trip to Albuquerque could be in the mix! Then maybe hit White Sands and The Sitting Bull Falls on the way back!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. They are the ones that continue to uplift me especially in moments when they might not know I’m feeling discouraged. Thank you and I love you.

David Shands & Donnie Wiggins of the Social Proof Podcast and Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings of Earn Your Leisure. These four people are my virtual mentors. Dropping gems everyday. Contributing to my growth without even knowing me. Although I did meet Shands once. Thank you.

Website: Iamchefandrea.com & brunchmepls.com

Instagram: @iamchefandrea

Twitter: @iamchefandrea

Facebook: Iamchefandrea

Youtube: @iamchefandrea

Image Credits
Eyenid Manzo

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