We were lucky to catch up with Karla Putts recently and have shared our conversation below.
Karla, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Back in 2019, I took one of the biggest leaps of faith in my life. I felt really strongly that God was leading us to leave California, so my husband and I packed up our three dogs and everything we could fit into an RV and headed to Arkansas. It was a huge shift—my whole family stayed behind, and we didn’t really know what we were walking into. Everything felt new and unfamiliar, but somehow, even in the uncertainty, it felt like the right thing to do.
Amid all the uncertainty, I decided to take an even greater risk: I started a catering business. What I didn’t know at the time was that just months later, a global pandemic would hit. Starting a business in the middle of a worldwide crisis was never part of the plan, but it tested and strengthened me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It stretched me as a woman, deepened my faith as a Christian, and pushed me to trust in the vision I believed was given to me.
Together with my husband, Chef Jeremy, we built what is now Carmelita Catering Co. — a high-end catering business focused on creating unforgettable experiences through exceptional food. The name “Carmelita” is in honor of my mother, who generously shared her cherished recipes with Jeremy. What began as a tribute to her has grown into something even bigger. Today, Carmelita Catering goes beyond family recipes to craft unique, customized menus for each client. We focus on sourcing local ingredients and, just as importantly, we are passionate about employing and empowering women in our community.
What began as a personal leap of faith has grown into something deeply fulfilling — a thriving business rooted in purpose, family, and faith. It taught me that with faith, courage, and commitment, you can build something meaningful from the ground up, even when the world feels uncertain.
Karla, 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?
The path that led me into catering has been anything but conventional — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. What began as a series of unexpected turns slowly evolved into something beautiful: a business that blends creativity, hospitality, and a deep love for bringing people together around really good food. Over the years, Carmelita Catering Co. has become a synonym for elevated catering in Northwest Arkansas — but its heart is rooted in family, in storytelling, and in creating experiences that feel personal, thoughtful, and fresh.
Before I entered the world of catering, I worked as a Spanish interpreter for over 13 years in California. I loved serving others through language, but after more than a decade in that field, I was ready for a change. I enrolled in real estate school with plans to become a realtor — but God had something different (and better) in store for me.
Around the same time, my husband Jeremy retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years of service. He had always had a deep passion for cooking and loved bringing people together around good food. Watching him pour his heart into his food truck business, Devil Dogs BBQ, was incredibly inspiring — but I also saw firsthand how hard it was for him to grow it alone. So I made another pivot — this time into the culinary world, to join him.
Using my newly gained business and real estate knowledge, along with our shared determination, we built and eventually sold a successful food business before relocating to Arkansas in 2019. It was in those early days working beside him — serving food from the truck, catering small events, learning the ins and outs of the food world — that I fell in love with wedding catering.
Back in 2012, after our own intimate wedding, we often heard friends reminisce about the food and how it made them feel. That’s when it clicked for me: food has the power to define moments, create joy, and make memories that last a lifetime. That’s the heart of what we do at Carmelita Catering Co.
Our company has grown into a boutique catering service focused on creating meaningful, bespoke food experiences. We go far beyond menus; we craft culinary moments that reflect our clients’ unique personalities, stories, and celebrations.
What sets us apart?
It’s our heart. Every event is personal to us. We believe food should tell a story — and we work closely with our clients to make sure that story is felt and remembered. We blend comfort and creativity, culture and class, tradition and innovation. And we do it all with deep faith, purpose, and joy.
What I’m most proud of is the life and business we’ve built from scratch — not just the success, but the journey, the pivots, and the people we’ve been able to serve and empower along the way.
If there’s one thing I want clients and followers to know about Carmelita Catering Co., it’s this: we don’t just serve food — we create moments that linger long after the last bite.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that *all work is good work.* I’ve had to replace that mindset with the truth that *my work and my worth are unique and valuable.* For a long time, I believed that constantly doing, serving, and staying busy was the same as being productive or successful. But over time, I realized that this mindset was leaving me drained — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As a leader, I now strive to lead by example. I had to unlearn the deeply ingrained belief that rest, boundaries, or saying “no” meant I was being selfish. I’ve learned to value not just the output of my work, but the sustainability of it. Self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s necessary. It’s what allows me to keep showing up — not depleted, but whole.
I’m still learning and growing, and I continue to catch myself when old habits resurface. But today, I make it a priority to check in with myself, to create space for rest, and to encourage others — especially the women we employ and mentor — to do the same. Valuing my own worth isn’t in conflict with serving others; it’s what makes my service truly meaningful.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2022, my husband and I launched a new business venture — a modern Mexican food concept we were deeply passionate about. We invested a significant amount of time, money, and heart into bringing it to life, believing it would be a beautiful extension of the culinary work we had already been doing through our catering company.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. The venture didn’t succeed, and the financial strain was overwhelming. At one point, it nearly took down our entire catering business along with it. It was an incredibly difficult season — emotionally, financially, and mentally. For two years, I worked tirelessly, without a paycheck, doing everything I could to keep our dream alive and to rebuild from the ground up.
What got me through was my faith, my family, and a refusal to give up on what we had worked so hard to build. I leaned on grit, prayer, and perseverance — even on the hardest days. I had to make tough decisions, re-evaluate priorities, and take full ownership of the path forward.
Today, I’m proud to say that we are debt-free and growing a strong, empowered team. The experience taught me that failure doesn’t define you — how you respond to it does. That chapter pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, and I carry those lessons with me every day as we continue to build a business rooted in resilience, purpose, and hope.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CarmelitaCateringCo.com
- Instagram: @CarmelitaCateringCo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelitacateringco
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/CarmelitaCateringCo/
Image Credits
Corrie Childers
Whit Photography