Meet Ali Palacios | Real Estate Broker and Chef

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

Hi Ali, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by food, textures, colors, and smells. I absolutely love to experiment with different spices, fruits, vegetables and preparation methods to come up with something unconventional but exciting.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Anyone that has worked in the food industry knows that it’s not an easy career. It requires a lot of passion and dedication. Even so, it’s just plain hard. I started my working career as a chef and worked for several years in the industry before I decided I need a change. I dabbled in a few management jobs and ultimately decided to get my real estate license. I fell in love with my job as a Realtor. I know understood the saying: “love what you do and you will never work a day in your life”. I found myself working more hours than I ever worked but loving every minute. I absolutely love helping people through the home buying and selling process. After a few years, I got my Real Estate brokers license and open my own real estate firm, Happy Clients Realty Group.

Through out the years, I have continued to cook and explore different cuisines. My passion for cooking continued so when I tried a freeze dried skittle I was floored. I remember thinking, I don’t even like skittles but they are so much better freeze dried! My mind immediately went into overdrive thinking about all the possibilities. The freeze drying process was something new to me and I felt like I could use this technology to come up with healthy and unique snacks.

I started with just candy. I experimented with every candy imaginable. Some worked and some were a disaster. I then went onto fruits and vegetables. This was the game changer. I decided to focus on flavor combinations that could not be found in a stores. Something unique that would set me apart. As so, my collection of fruit and vegetable, ready to eat snacks became super popular and are now my best sellers.

I am lucky enough to work in two industries that I love. They both feed my soul and inspire me everyday help.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived most of my life in the Houston metro area and I love this city. I love the fact that it’s very international. With that comes a wonderful blending on cultures and cuisine. Something I haven’t seen when traveling around the world. We really live in an amazing melting pot. If a friend was visiting Houston for the first time, I would show her what makes Houston so unique. For me, that would be the eclectic food and many cool stops along the way.

I would definitely schedule a visit to the following locations:
Smither Park – I love the unique mosaics

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern – I’d schedule the sound healing tour. It’s such a cool space to meditate.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – a tour of this beautiful Hindu temple is a must.

Brazos Bend State Park – This is a great place for a hike and wildlife sitings
Galveston – Spend a day near the water. A little shopping and fresh seafood.

Walk through Sawyer Yards on a day where the artist open their studios to the public.

One os the best ways to explore a city is through it’s food. These are a few of my favorite place.

BBQ at Witts Pits for their brisket and new potatoes.

Katy Asian Town for some delicious Malaysian food at Phat Eatery. Followed by a goldfish waffle cone and milk tea ice cream at SomiSomi.

Crawfish and noodles for some vietnamese style crawfish Xochi for a traditional mexican meal

Saint Arnold Brewery and 8th wonder brewery for a drink and visit.
Korea Garden for some amazing seafood pancakes and Korea BBQ
El Rincon Criollo for some authentic cuban cuisine.

Whataburger, especially if they’ve never tried it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We wear many different hats during our short lives. My success as a Real Estate Broker would not exist without my wonderful clients and friends. I’m lucky enough to work exclusively from referrals. There is no better compliment than someone recommending you for a task.

In addition, I have to thank all my loyal Crunche Snack customers that follow me form pop up shop to pop up shop and have supported this new and exciting venture.

Website: crunchesnacks.com and ilovehappyclients.com

Instagram: crunchesnacks

Facebook: crunchesnacks and happy clients realty group

Yelp: happy clients realty group