Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Hickman.
Hi Angela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am definitely a born and raised Brooklyn Rose. My name is Angela. I am a 32 years old mom and entrepreneur. My journey consisted of God teaching me strength and determination. My very first battle hit me in Oct 2004. As I newly entered high school, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I considered this the most alarming part of my life. Never for one day, I would imagine having Cancer. Neither did I ever think this was my end! The doctors tried a new course of treatment with me. At the age of 14, I didn’t entirely understand what my body was truly going through. I went through so many needles and chemotherapy. I am so grateful to God by June 2005, I was now Cancer free. I was granted another chance at this thing called life! My journey into business began in the fall of 2020. We were surrounded by so much confusion and unknown circumstances. I decided to take an unknown journey myself.
I newly began to enjoy cooking because of the pandemic. I began to experiment and try new recipes that captured the hearts of my family. I have always made empanadas but I began to take a serious approach after everyone insisted that I sell them. I began to create my very own recipes to fill my empanadas with. Being a city worker and having different opinions spoken to me I wasn’t sure if this was the exact road I should be taking. I had children who depended on me, bills that kept coming in, and my confidence level was down. I constantly questioned if I had the time to move forward with this endeavor. Fears began to creep up on me. Do I have what it takes to make this happen? Do I have the time to put in? Am I good enough? As I felt those fears arise, I forced each one back down to where they belonged. I stayed focused and created the time I needed to put in. I worked continuously on my job and at home in my kitchen. I was determined to make this new dream happen. I began to gain my confidence and wisdom in this new area of myself and my business. I began to surround myself with so much positivity and wonderful like-minded people. People who I could pour into and others who could uplift and share knowledge with me as well.
Most importantly I prayed through everything. Soon enough I had a menu, prices, and the most delicious empanadas. My business is Angies Delightful Bites! My empanadas are so flavorful and packed with so much love and exciting fillings. You will fall in love with each bite. I have so much to introduce to the world through my creative love of empanada making. This journey for me has helped me realize what I am fully capable of. I have new eyes for a bigger vision for my business, for myself, and my family. I truly feel unstoppable and have the Godfidence to continue to grow. Please, whatever you do in life you have to stay focused. Believe in yourself because many may not. Know that anything you put your mind to it can be achieved. Don’t let your tough days outweigh the great ones. Mostly keep and open heart and a big smile.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I constantly found myself toggling the many struggles of being a mom. Maintaining my home. Keeping up with my work schedule and getting the proper rest needed. Then I also had to balance myself. My mind, body and spirit needed me as well. From projects and homework. The daily cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Driving the bus on my work days. Making sure that I was taking in the proper nutrients, keeping up with myself with the things that made me happy, and keeping grateful praying each day. Things have gotten heavy for me on many days but I stayed focused no matter what I always made it all happen.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My empanadas are so special because they are packed and filled with different flavors to choose from. My most popular fillings are my beef with cheese, jerk chicken, spinach with cheese, spinach with shrimp, and bbq chicken. While each filling is very scrumptious, I find these to be the most popular choices. I also create hearts and flowers with my empanadas. I have bouquet packages that are created for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and special occasions. Mostly I am proud of how much everyone that purchases my empanadas are left with a feeling of enjoyment when having them. My empanadas come in various sizes and fillings, none like you have tasted before!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I can say luck has played a role in my journey but truly, God has really been my whole foundation for everything that has opened up and flourished right before my eyes. I honestly did not see my business growing and building so beautifully the way it is today. I am proud of where it started and the many rooms I have entered because of my faith in everything.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiesdelightfulbites/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ANGIESDELIGHTFULBITES
