e caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angie Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

It takes hard work and determination to be successful. Staying focused. Have short term and long term goals you want to achieve. Having a business plan and following it. Remember success doesn’t always happen over night so be patient.

Angie, 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’m from Lake Charles, Louisiana. We moved to Hitchcock, Texas when I was 9 years old. I graduated from Hitchcock High School in 1988. I remember telling my mother I wanted to be a model. My parents paid for me to go to one of the best Modeling Schools so I could train and learn more about the industry. I was 14 years old when I graduated and started modeling. My mother worked two or three jobs to make sure I had everything I needed. I’m forever grateful. I’m blessed to have her in my life. I take care of her now. I later signed an exclusive contract with a Modeling Agency in Houston. I’m most proud of being “Beauty of the week” in Jet Magazine in July 1993. This opened so many more doors for me. I worked a full time job in accounting and modeled part time. It wasn’t easy I had many sleepless nights. I decided years later I wanted to take my modeling career to the next level. I did my research to find out how I could become a Talent Agent so I could open my own Modeling Agency. I wanted to help inspiring models pursue their dream. I was the founder/owner of Pure Elegance Modeling Agency (PEMA) in Houston. Business was great! I had models from my agency featured in commercials, runway shows and even had a model featured on the front cover of a local magazine. At that time I was working full time for a firm as a Human Resource Manager. I later decided to move to Dallas and I closed my agency after 4 years in business. I was offered a job at a Law Firm in Dallas and worked there for 14 years as a Accounting Manager. Let’s fast forward to the good part. A former model with an accounting background now a restaurant owner. Sounds crazy. I met an amazing man who is now my husband. A self taught BBQ Pitmaster described as a backyard warrior. We have been together 14 years. Kelvin’s dream was to one day open a Bar-b-que Restaurant. I had accomplished so much in my past I wanted to help Kelvin pursue his dream. I took all of my savings and invested it to help open Harris Bar-b-que. We put everything in God’s hands. I say this with a smile but love will make you do some crazy things. Kelvin and I are the owners of Harris Bar-B-Que in Cedar Hill. We have been in business 10 years. It took awhile but our business is a huge success. We have been in newspapers, magazines and was featured on The Drew Barrymore Show April 7, 2022. Just in case you missed the show watch the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/cP1gBdKrYko We made Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints List in 2017 and The Next 50 Honorable Mentions List in 2021. Our restaurant is known for great customer service and award-winning bar-b-que. If you haven’t tried Harris Bar-b-que then put it on your bucket list. We look forward to meeting you.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My friend had her birthday party at a club. Kelvin wasn’t a guest but was sitting close by. I couldn’t stay long since I lived 45 minutes away. I started saying my good byes then a friend walked over to Kelvin and asked him to walk me to my car. We made jokes about Kelvin not being a guest and could be a possible serial killer. We all laughed. Then Kelvin said I’m not a serial killer and would love to walk you to your car. I remember walking with him and hearing “You’re so beautiful”. We exchanged numbers and two days later went our first date. Best decision I made. That was 14 years ago and we are now happily married.

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

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.harrisbarbque.com/
• Instagram: @HarrisBarBQue
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057489577838
• Twitter: @HarrisBarBQue

Image Credits
Morgan Stevenson – Cover Photo/Make-up Artist
Terald Flag – Jet Magazine