Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky McMillian.
Hi Becky, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Went to Anderson High School, graduated in 2001. Started working in a restaurant when I was 15. Went to The Culinary Institute of America, received a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts management, graduated in 2005. Started a personal chef business upon graduating. Did that for three years, along with being a chef at a mom and pop country club.
Went back up to NYC in 2008 to be an Executive Chef of a Kosher catering company. Came back down to Austin in late 2010 and started working for the RK Group as their Executive Sous Chef, did that for five years. Became a mom in late 2014. Left the RK Group in early 2015 and started working for a senior community as a Food Director, needed the Monday-Friday hours to balance being a new mom and having a career. Started my catering company, 512 Boutique Events in April 2018, and it has skyrocketed since the doors opened. Bought out another catering company, Savor Foods in May 2019. Grew quickly to a million dollars in sales. Covid hit in March 2020 and completely devastated everything. Slowly starting from square one again…
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Covid destroyed everything. Wiped all my corporate catering off the map. Businesses are slowly booking some holiday parties, but nothing compared to 2019. The event industry has suffered greatly from this. It’s mainly weddings and personal events that are happening. The homeless situation in Austin has also steered a lot of businesses away from Austin. We used to be a business destination city for corporate events. Lots of emails have surfaced with dissatisfied clients with the how our city is looking. Austin politicians need to turn our city around and become the beautiful city it once was!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m mostly known for building a great relationship with my clients, professionalism between my staff and clients, great food and overall satisfaction of everyone being happy! Events go a lot further than just having great food, how you run an event, being on time, being professional and jumping through hoops for your clients is how you win them over!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being friendly, polite, listening to your client’s needs and wants, helping them make decisions in other areas, being honest and open with them…underpromise until you are able to over deliver.
Contact Info:
- Email: 512boutiqueevents@gmail.com
- Website: www.512boutiqueevents.com
- Instagram: 512 Boutique Events
