We were lucky to catch up with Beckii Morales recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Beckii thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.
A few weeks ago, I was on the radio with 102.7 KIIS-FM to promote my small business. The producer of On Air With Ryan Seacrest had the opportunity to try our dumplings and reached out about featuring us on the show’s “Hometown Hustler” segment, where they highlight a local business every Friday morning. My family and I were completely shocked and excited at the same time. Growing up, I have always listened to KIIS-FM so to hear myself on that radio station was pretty surreal. Many of our family, friends, and customers reached out and let us know they tuned into the segment when it aired. My family and I are so overwhelmed by all the love and support that surrounds us. We are so grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about our dumplings!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My family and I are the people behind Ken’s Porkstickers. Our dumpling journey started in 2020 when our family was impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and suffered job losses. My dad Ken and I took a leap of faith and launched Ken’s Porkstickers to overcome adversities caused by the pandemic. It’s true when they say when one door closes, another one opens. It was also hard to keep Ken out of the kitchen. At first, we wrapped dumplings for our close friends and family to enjoy during quarantine. After receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and encouragement, we decided to share our creation with everyone else. Our family has always been in the food and restaurant industry as Ken is a professional chef with over 30 years of experience specializing in Chinese cuisine. We currently offer 5 different fillings for our potstickers and wontons, serving the LA/SGV/OC communities.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Referrals are the foundation of our business. Many of our new customers are referred to us by friends, family, or other customers. The power of word-of-mouth marketing has been pivotal in helping us grow our small family business.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Aside from running my family’s dumpling business, I actually have a full-time job at a telecom company with a career in business strategy and legal operations. I have been with my company for almost ten years. I often find myself stretched thin juggling between both jobs, but this experience has taught me to be resilient and to prioritize my time more efficiently. My family and I have worked hard to grow our business and we are so proud of what we have created. There is a lot on my plate, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kensporkstickers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kens.porkstickers/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ken-s-porkstickers-montebello