We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Reina Montenegro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Reina below.

Reina , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I started my business because of health reasons that made me go vegan. I didn’t want to give up my favorite childhood foods, so I worked on making tasty vegan versions of them.

To my surprise, people loved my dishes just as much as I did! The positive feedback from friends, family, and the community encouraged me to launch my business. As more people heard about my food, it became really popular. My journey has shown me that you can be healthy and happy at the same time, and I hope to inspire others to try plant-based eating without losing flavor.

Reina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I created this business for my own benefit. As a heavy meat-eating Filipina who turned vegan, I found myself struggling to find things to eat. I did it out of survival, but also because I truly love food—it’s my love language. I dedicated my life to creating amazing dishes that even non-vegans would enjoy. In fact, 65 percent of my customers are not vegan; they come for the food! This is my story and the foundation of our brand, reflecting how we started and who we are.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before COVID, I was running myself ragged managing three restaurants. I thought that doing more was the way to succeed, but in the process, I neglected my family and my health. When COVID hit, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It forced me to shut down my businesses and take a step back to reset.

I consolidated my efforts and opened a simple takeout restaurant. During this time, I learned the importance of working smart instead of just hard. This new approach has been much better for my mental and physical health, allowing me to find a healthier balance in my life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media is a full time job. I committed to posting everyday for a whole year to gain followers and engagements. It is not easy but I did it! Hence the 120k followers and being verified.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chefreina.com
• Instagram: Chef.reina
• Facebook: Chefreinainc
• Linkedin: Chefreina
• Twitter: Chefreina
• Youtube: Chefreinainc
• Yelp: Chef reina

Image Credits

None