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

Hi Danine, how do you think about risk?
I see risk taking as a necessity to becoming successful. You cannot learn and grow without it. Risk taking has played a major role in everything I have tried to accomplish. If I hadn’t taken the financial risk to buy my smoker I never would have moved forward with my catering business. Had I never taken the risk and put myself out there on social media I never would have become a paid Content Creator. Had I never agreed to the opportunity to cater my first wedding, although I was afraid, I would have never believed I could really do it. I truly believe without risk there is no reward.
 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Tejanas Fumadoras and content creations keeps me crazy busy!
Tejanas Fumadoras means Texas Lady Smokers. Well it literally translates to Texas Smokers but feminine. We like to take Tex Mex recipes turn them into small bites and fill them with delicious smoked meats. One of our most popular items is our Smoked Chicken Tinga Chimichangas. Another popular item is our Smoked Brisket Empanadas. I think our smoked Tex Mex and the fact that our meats are smoked by woman are what sets us apart from the others. There were many set backs personally and business wise. There were times when I would want to give up on myself and call it quits. There were times when I would doubt my ability to really make this happen. I had to learn that setbacks are lessons to grow. I had to learn that being persistent was what set successful people apart from the rest. I had to learn one person’s no was not the end, it was just the beginning. Those are lessons I take with me in Content Creation and when pitching myself to brands and PR companies. Those are lessons I take with me in everything I do Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever.

Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Gosh, Houston has so many fun and exciting restaurants! Let’s see, I would start her visit at my favorite breakfast tacos, Taqueria Laredo. We’d definitely have to get there early to snag one of their delicious Gorditas. Another breakfast spot we would have to hit would be a Houston staple, Breakfast Klub. The catfish, chicken wings and waffles are some of my most favorite! I love their grits too. For lunch and a little day drinking we’d have to stop at Postinos in River Oaks. Their patio is one of my favorites. A nice bottle of wine with some out of this world cauliflower, charcuterie selections and bruschette, yes please! Another spot I love for lunch or Happy Hour is Ka Sushi. Their Happy Hour menu selections are on point! Their Raw oysters are so fresh and a great price as well as their maki rolls. They also have this amazing dish that isn’t on the HH menu, but sooo worth it. It’s called Three Little Pigs. If you love pork like I do, order it! Then, thank me later! For dinner we would get fancy and go to one of my most favorite places in Houston. Bludorn. I’ve never had a bad experience and everything I have tried was beyond delicious. Another one of my favorites is Georgia James. They have one of the best steaks I have ever tasted. You can also get Japanese A5 Wagyu. Talk about melt in your mouth. We would have to get BBQ for sure! There are two spots I would have to take her. Gatlin’s Bbq and Truth. Their sides are top tier! It’s hard to choose between bbq joints cause it’s all pretty good here in Texas. So I go by the sides! Especially the potato salad and mac and cheese. Next would definitely be Tex Mex. You can’t come to Houston and not have Tex Mex. Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina has my favorite Chicken Verde Enchiladas and Chicken Tortillas Soup. For drinks I would take my Bestie to Anvil and I Know the Owner. Anvil has a very innovative cocktail program. It’s such a chill spot as well. You can have a nice conversation over some very tasty craft cocktails. I Know the Owner is such a super cute spot! Totally Instagram worthy vibe and cocktails. Plus I know the bartender, hahaha. We would have to do some more day and or weekend drinking at St. Arnold’s Brewery. Karbach Brewery, or 8th Wonder. Those are my top 3 favorite breweries in Houston. For Ramen, we would have to head to Chinatown to check out Tiger Den. For dessert we’d have to head over to Bing Su/ Mochinut for some Mochi donuts, the most delicious Bing Su and of course a Korean Rice dog. I would also have to take my Bestie for Pho and the most delicious bone marrow at Les Baget! Don’t sleep on this place! It is phenomenal. This list is making me hungry! On the weekend we’d have to head out to San Leon for some seafood on the patio at Gilhooley’s. Best part, they don’t allow anyone under 18. For seafood in town, we would definitely hit up Little Oyster Bar or Truluck’s for some stone crab.Fun things to do would be hanging out at the lazy river and Texas shaped pool at the Marquis Marriott Downtown then having dinner at Toro Toro. or Xochi. While spending time downtown, we would have to catch a show in the theater district as well. We would also have to visit the Natural Science museum and the Butterfly and Shark Exhibit as well as the new Galapagos Island Exhibit at the Houston Zoo. I’m not too outdoorsy but we have some really great outdoor spaces too, like the Japanese Gardens and the Houston Arboretum. There are so many more restaurants and places to visit! I can go on and on!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many women who have lifted me up and pushed me to be even greater. My mother, Lydia Alvarado, is definitely number one on that list. She is the one that has been by my side throughout this journey. She helps me cook and comes with me to catering jobs. My friend Ellie Ramirez, owner of Goodtimes HTX a bartending service, has been a huge supporter of Tejanas Fumadoras (my catering and event business) We have recently partnered to offer All-In-One packages to make event planning easier and less stressful for our clients. I am also really appreciative of Selena Torres (Influencer Coordinator) and Karen De Amat (CEO of Social Behavior and Influence by Social) of Social Behavior, for giving me my first opportunities as a Influencer/Content Creator. They’ve always been so supportive.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/neen.in.la.cocina?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tejanasfumadoras

Image Credits
Ayden Nichols Shayne Nichols Diana Tamir

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