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

Hi Christina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up surrounded by family members who are small business owners and was able to help out where I could in everything from retail to food services. Starting my own business was always something I was very interested in, but wasn’t really sure how or when I could start my venture. In 2018, I was helping plan my girlfriend’s bridal shower and was looking for ways to incorporate her engagement photos. She and her then-fiancé hiked (in heels!) with their photographer (Pink Posh Photography) across Iceland and got some amazing shots. We came up with a boba bar station for her bridal shower to help themselves to a variety of teas and toppings featuring the engagement photos on the cups. It went so well, we decided to do this at a much larger scale (500 guests) at their wedding the following year and I hired some friends to serve weddings guests. In 2021, I started getting inquiries for boba catering at a few weddings and showers. Once we started catering weddings, inquiries for everything from smaller, more intimate events to larger corporate events started coming in. My main intention is to truly personalize your event, to embellish the cups, drinks and menu with your colors and theme. I have also enjoyed creating the drinks that I get to share with fellow boba lovers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I get to make my own syrups and concoctions with fresh fruit and teas, which make for tastiest and prettiest colored drinks. I love seeing people’s eyes light up when they get to try one of our drinks and have boba (sometimes for the first time). The tea drinks I prefer are more tea forward than some places, which I’ve learned may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Most importantly, it truly takes a village to operate; I wouldn’t be able to survive without my team, my friends and family to help with delivering, packing, transporting, babysitting and everything in-between. We’ve gotten to meet and work with some of the best vendors in Houston and Austin, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities arise in 2023!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Montrose: Coffee and breakfast at Campesino Coffee House
Visit the Menil, MFAH and the Cullen Sculpture Garden
Squid ink campanelle at Marmo
HH at Uchi

Rice Village:
BYOB + Omakase at Sushi By Hidden
Cocktails and desserts at Navy Blue

Washington:
Double smash burger at Burger Bodega
Wonton noodle soup with bbq pork at Pho King Noodle Bar
Cocktails at The Sugar Room

Chinatown:
Mien ga (chicken soup with clear noodles) or Oxtail Pho at Pho 54
Sizzling steak and eggs at My Baguettes
Dim sum at Fung’s Kitchen
Icy grass jelly signature at Meet Fresh
Soup dumplings at One Dragon
Watermelon soju & avocado bomb at GiAu bar n bites
Spicy tonkotsu hot pot at Shabu Squared
Shredded chicken or BBQ pork banh mi at Nguyen Ngo

Heights:
Cocktails at Permission Whiskey
Black pepper spaghetti at Coltivare
Carpaccio at Moon Rabbit
Squable (all the pastas!)
5 hand roll set with extra habanero aioli at Handies Douzo

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This list could go on forever. My husband for being the master boba tester and main caretaker for our son when I’m out making deliveries and catering events. My team – Jax (@jaxsjar), Kasey and Omar for always saying yes to my crazy ideas. To Kimy and Pink Posh Photography for the photos. All my vendors turned friends – so many incredibly talented people I’ve gotten to work alongside and continue to include me in their events. Thank you!

Image Credits
Jorge Valencia Christine Wright Annie Mescall Amy Tran

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.