Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Beavers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Courtney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Moving from Compton to Santa Monica at an early age, afforded my family many new opportunities and experiences but it was not without its challenges. Growing up was hard in a single-parent household with four children. There were times where there was little amount a food to go around, I learned that “Necessity breeds creativity” and thus my passion for cooking. Unfortunately, life presented its hurdles for me, and I left home early and was homeless for a few years. This was a dark time for me. I was alone in shelters with no family or friends to call on, and it was in one of these shelters where I attempted suicide to end the pain. It was my subsequent failure that made me realize I still had a purpose and meaning for my life, I just needed to find it. A year later, I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu of Culinary Arts.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggles? Haha! Many, but all are expected and worth it. As it currently stands, I run every aspect of 213 Ramen alone. From social media to food production and sales, it’s been a one-man show. Ten months ago, I quit my job as a personal chef to pursue 213 Ramen full time. This not only made me a full-time small business owner but also a full-time dad to an amazing two-year-old. So balancing home and business life has definitely been challenging, but fruitful. I get to spend more time with my daughter and 213 Ramen has just celebrated its one year anniversary. Suffice it to say, this papa is proud of both of his babies.
Please tell us about 213 Ramen.
213 Ramen is a Latín-Asian fusion. I do classic flavors like the Green Chile Ramen and Black Bean broth, or sometimes do specialty bowls like the Michelada Ramen or Chili Cheese Frito Ramen. All of my broths and noodles are vegan, and the proteins I cook on a classic barrel smoker. The best part of the bowl is the elote on a stick that I put in the middle of everything. I figured if Roy Choi can do Korean. BBQ tacos, then I can do latín flavored ramen. 213 Ramen started off just doing pop-ups on weekends around Los Angeles. Now operations have expanded into catering for films and weddings, as well as having set locations where customers can find it regularly.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey. I make sure to turn every stumble into a lesson and chance to improve for the future. Struggle is the only way to grow. If it isn’t hard, and you’re not learning or challenging yourself, then what’s the point? It hasn’t been smooth sails all the time, so looking back after a year and all that has come, it makes me feel better when I say, “I did it!”
Contact Info:
- Website: 213ramenla.com
- Phone: 3106635961
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @213ramen
- Facebook: /213 Ramen
- Twitter: @213_Ramen
- Yelp: /213 Ramen
Image Credit:
Bobby Flowells, Victor Manuel Rivera III, Roaming Hunger
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