Today we’d like to introduce you to Alfred Collins.
Alfred, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with my parents teaching us how to cook and to take care of ourselves. My mother would say to me and my brothers, you need to learn how to cook for yourself. She would say just in case you end up with a girlfriend or wife, that doesn’t know how to cook or doesn’t like to cook. This way, you will be able to take care of yourself. Growing up loving to cook, learning how to make my mother’s seafood salad, and my dad’s pan-fried cornbread was just the beginning. My brother Richard and my late sister-in-law Torry would venture out to start Collins Brothers Catering in Wilmington, Delaware years ago. We did good, we did a lot of different church and family events, it was truly fun. With our jobs, we just stayed busy, and never really launched out into the deep, maybe it wasn’t the time then, but now is definitely the time. I moved to Atlanta seven years ago, with my girlfriend Brandi, we’re married now, thank God. My passion has increased along with my vision, and I have been blessed to be connected to dreamers, shakers, and movers. People thank know how to think outside the box, but also know that there’s a gift within them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think one of the hardest things is to identify the gifts that we’re blessed with, and learning how to be effective and not just busy. Seeking God for wisdom and knowing and understanding to know your purpose. I struggled with myself, and I think at times that’s our biggest fight, it’s called fear. I would say to myself one day, I’m going to start my own business. Well, I just had to stop myself from saying one day, because one day just continued to pass by, and I was still stuck on one day. It sounded nice to tell others, it made me sound important and as if I was going somewhere, but the truth of the matter I was still on one day. I would say my biggest challenge was just for me to believe in myself, I had to take a deep look on the inside of me, and not my surroundings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve just got promoted to Food Service Director at my job, I was kitchen manager before then, and lead cook. I love to cook for the residents, and their family at my job, also the staff. I feel great when see people enjoying the food I cook for them. My mother would say it’s not about the money, and it’s not a job when you love what you’re doing. What sets me apart from others is knowing that I have so much history in me from my family along with the creativity to tell my story. My story is to be told from a vision that is entitled “Brick by Brick”.
Any big plans?
My plan for the future is to leave an impact in this world, to know that I meant something and I did something great. I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation coming up and doing greater things. We have to push them and get them to a level where they can take off, and realize they can soar. My big changes would be just to continue to be around those that are at the level I want to be at and those that are trying to get to that level. Because once you renew your mindset, you have to change your circle of influences.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Alfred Collins
Image Credits
My wife Brandi Collins, my God daughters Kayla and Keyla Romeo.n
