My Incredible Journey
Because English is my second language, you may find a bit of an “accent” while you are reading. I am asking everyone to overlook and excuse any “accent” that you may find when I am blogging or letting you know what is new in my life. Please know what ever you read comes from the heart and is written with my passion for life, family friends, my team at work, my client’s and for Bailey Connor Catering.
I am the oldest child growing up in a small town in Germany. When I was 11 years old, I finally became the proud sister of a sweet little boy who became the apple of every ones eye. We sort of grew up as only children in a way, and I wish he would have been born sooner. I missed having a sibling when I grew up. Even though I was close to my cousins, it was not the same as having a brother or a sister.
During my teenage years I think my parents thought I was a wild child. When in fact all I ever wanted to do was dance the night away. I loved dancing and listening to bands. Not having a car meant that I had to take a train to get home. There were many of nights when I missed that train I was supposed to take and I was late. Sorry Mom and Dad for causing you so much worry, but it was worth it, and innocent, sort off.
During one of my dance outings, I met a dashing young United States Army Captain, fell in love, got married, and had a beautiful daughter, Tanja. After moving to the United States, we lived in Houston for a short time and then moved to Nacogdoches, TX, where my husband attended Stephen F. Austin. It was there were I had my first hotel job.
I have always wanted to be in the hospitality industry, but my mother put a stop to my hotel career plans and directed me to go to business school. She wanted me to have a family live which she never had. My father’s hotel/restaurant career kept him away from us during many holiday and family events. Little did she know what was about to happen. After working in various departments in the hotel business, I enjoyed a very successful hotel career as Director of Sales/Marketing which took me around the USA. I lived in Dallas, Memphis, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco Baltimore, and ended up back in Houston, working for Holiday Inn’s, Crown Plaza, Swiss Hotels, Marriott, and Hilton Hotels.
As timing goes, things could have been better. I was recovering from both an illness and a divorce, and was searching for a new job. Instead of searching in the employment section of the paper, for some reason known beyond me, I ended up in the “business for sale section”. I was not looking to purchase a business at this time of my life; I was just bored reading the paper. I am convinced that it was fate which took me there. I found a listing for a catering business that was for sale. After many meetings with the owner and duedellegnce I made the purchase of a lifetime. My friends and family would have cautioned me against taking the risk, so kept this a secret for several months.
It was a courageous decision to walk away from a successful hotel marketing career and gamble everything on my dream – but that’s exactly what I did in 1997. With only $5,000 in cash and a loan from my 401K, I took the leap and purchased a catering business in Houston. It was the fulfillment of a dream I nurtured during my childhood in Germany.
My business gives me the ability to combine my traditional European standards of service, with my passion of planning a catering event that will be remembered by all in attendance for its exquisite attention to detail. But my business is not only homage to the rewards of taking a risk, but also an indication of what I hold dear. It is named after my granddaughter, Bailey, and my grandson, Connor.
My Philosophy
I feel that my journey embodies the true meaning of the American entrepreneurial spirit with my “can-do” attitude and outstanding work ethic. My company is a reflection of my own values, holding at its center a belief in 100% integrity, responsibility, respect, active communication, and value. I believe Bailey Connor Catering is a testament to the possibilities that still exist in America today. I came to this country as an immigrant and ended up building a successful business from the ground up, solely through hard work and determination
Initiatives that I took to make my business grow and successful
Although it’s true that I took an initial leap when I purchased my business, that didn’t mean that I was not well-equipped to handle it. I developed a thorough business and marketing plan using my years of experience in the hospitality industry to guide me. I sought out those who could give me valuable advice that I could use and build upon. I made sure I carefully defined the company’s goal and purpose, products, markets, competition, marketing strategies and budget. I knew who our customers would be. And then I really got to work!
My team and I took food samples to potential clients, participated in culinary community activities, became WBEA and HUB certified, joined industry associations, and carefully surrounded myself with top-notch staff. Along the way I became a member of, and actively participated in, the International Special Event Society, Meeting Planner International, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau. My pursuit of WBEA certification landed me on the “preferred vendor” list for Super Bowl XXXVIII. Because of this, and our outstanding ability to build relationships and choose high-quality staff, Bailey Connor Catering was awarded 27 catering events during the Super Bowl. My team and I worked a total of 108 hours on a week.
Obstacles I encountered in my business and how I over come it
The biggest obstacle that I faced when I started my business was lack of capital. I wasn’t able to get a small business loan, and financed my business on retirement and credit cards. Despite that leanness at the beginning, I believe my persistence, passion, and vision enabled me to succeed. At one point, things looked a little bleak. I still owed on my credit cards, and someone was writing fake checks on my bank account. The banker who was helping me with this problem, offered me a loan, and I was able to turn around my company and become debt-free.
I had one other obstacle to face. I didn’t have the necessary culinary skills to run a catering kitchen. So I did what I always do when I have a problem – tackle it head on. I attended the LeNotre Culinary Institute every day from 6 p.m. to midnight until I became a Sous Chef.
Contributions to Support Small and Women/Minority Owned Business
For me, part of success is giving back. In my business’ early years, people were generous with their time and knowledge, and I now return that favor. I spend large amount of my time mentoring women starting new businesses, as well as volunteering in my International Special Events Society chapter and MPI. I also make it a priority to do business with women and minority-owned businesses when possible, and encourage and help aspiring entrepreneurs to reach for their dreams.
Civic and Community Involvement
I believe it is important when growing a small business through community involvement, and that giving back is a moral obligation. I have participated in fund-raising at various times for the American Cancer Society and AIDS-related charities, as well as making in-kind donations to multiple charitable organizations and Unity Church over the years. Unity Church has been very instrumental in my life’s journey.
I have served on the Board of the International Special Event Society since 2004, including 2 stints as President in 2006 and again in 2011. My continued involvement in this organization gives me an opportunity to share my enthusiasm for the special events industry as well as an opportunity to show others through my example how to run their business ethically.
My Family
I have a wonderful blended family all over the world. My parents live in Germany. I have cousins and a wonderful aunt also living in Germany. My brother Volker lives with his wife Michi and daughter’s Katja and Antonia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have sister-in laws and brother in-laws in Houston and Ft. Lauderdale, Nieces and Nephews in New York, Florida, Texas, Kuala Lumpur, and Scotland, I have a wonderful Mother in law living in Houston. I have a most amazing daughter, Tanja, grandchildren Bailey and Connor. She lives with her husband Steve in Little Rock, Arkansas. I miss them everyday. Her stepdaughter Sara lives with her husband Mark in Bristol England.
In 2005 I got married to Mort Levine, the love of my live, and now have a step son, Larry who lives with his wife Karen and children, Jordan and Stephen in Chicago. I wish we could spend more time with them. We have 2 cats, which my husband says he does not like too much, however when he thinks I am not watching, he plays with them.
Last year we made our family complete and adopted our first dog. I thought Mort was going to name him after his favored singer “Frank Sinatra”; instead he called him “Stoli”, another favorite of his. We think he is human and more than a dog. He comes to work with us every day. When Stoli joined our family, Mort insisted that Stoli will never sleep in our bed. Guess where he is sleeping now?
My Friends
I am very lucky to have a large circle of friends, and stay in touch with my friends from Germany and other parts of the country. I love hanging out with my girlfriends and enjoy a glass of wine or two, go shopping or on all girls trips.
List of Business and Professional Honors received
1998 – 2013 HBJ Top Houston Area Catering Companies
2004 Outstanding Achievement Award, ISES
2006, 7, 9 Fastest Growing Women Owned Business
2006 Founders Award, ISES
2007, 8, 9 Pick, the Knot Best of Wedding Caterers
2006,8, 9 Fastest Growing Women Owned Business
2009/10 Named “Best Catering Company in Houston” by the Houston Magazine
2010 Best Food, Asian Chamber of Commerce
2009/10 Among Houston’s 10 best Caterers, Click 2 Houston
2011 Best Caterer, Readers Choice: Meetings and Events
2012 Best Off Premise Event Cuisine, International Special Event Society
2013 Sponsor of The Year, MPI-HAC
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