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Chef Bettina Williams-Evans grew up in Beaumont, Texas and is a proud product of Beaumont ISD where her love for cooking with her mother was nurtured in her Home Economics classes. Beginning in middle school, under the direction of Mrs. Josephine Coburn, Chef Evans discovered her niche and fell in love with sewing and cooking. While in high school, Mrs. Coburn and Mrs. Eileen Slater nurtured Chef Evans' love for cooking and encouraged her to join Future Homemakers of America. Along with FHA and now realizing her gift for teaching, she also joined Future Teachers of America under the leadership of Mrs. Barbara Daniels and set her eyes on becoming a Home Economics teacher. As life would have it, Mrs. Evans changed her area of specialization to Special Education because of her love for the special need’s population. After graduating from French High School in 1983, Bettina attended Lamar University and earned her B.S. degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Special Education in 1989.
As she began her career in the classroom, she also began to learn every aspect of the food service industry through reading and trial and error in the kitchen. Chef Evans took her mother’s recipes and some of her own creative dishes and started to build her catering business which grew into Simply Delicious Catering in 2001. After a brief stint with her first restaurant, Classic Southern Cuisine, LLC. Bettina’s passion and love for cooking would not allow her to give up on her dream.
In August of 2016, Chef Evans formed Bettie Jean’s Homestyle Cooking, LLC and opened her second restaurant. It was at that location she was able to fulfill her dream and share her two greatest gifts of teaching and cooking with the Southeast Texas community. With roots from Breaux Bridge and Opelousas, Louisiana, Chef Evans created dishes she refers to as LaTex cuisine. In addition, she partnered with Texas Workforce Solutions and opened doors for individuals with disabilities to get on the job training to prepare them for a career in food service.
After almost three years serving her Southeast Texas community as a restaurateur and 14 years as a professional caterer, Chef Evans hung up her keys in 2019 prior to the pandemic and went back to the public school classroom where another dream became reality as a Culinary Arts Instructor at The Career and Technology Education Center. It’s with her broad experience in the catering and restaurant industry that Chef Bettina Evans continues her passion for the food industry and is training the next generation of chefs and culinary professionals to pursue their love for the art of cooking and serving others.
The BEST is yet to come!
BBP: Who or what inspired you to start your own business?
BE: My mother and grandmother both were entrepreneurs. My maternal grandmother owned a boarding house that was later converted to a neighborhood tavern. My mother was an educator by profession but catered small events for her close friends and family.
BBP: What has been your greatest challenge operating a business and how do you work to overcome it?
BE: I owned two businesses in the food service industry. I launched my catering company, Simply Delicious Catering, in 2001 and continue to cater for small private events and party trays. However, my greatest challenge was when I operated my brick and mortar, Bettie Jean's Homestyle Cooking, LLC. My first challenge was my operating system. When we opened, business took off like an Amtrak train. I had a full staff and a system in place, but the system I had in place could not handle the traffic that came through our doors. Therefore, I had to retrain staff and hire more employees. Secondly, when you lease space, especially in Beaumont, you as the lease, cover all costs which are very costly. And in my case, the HVAC system did not operate properly. This was not discovered until after the lease had been signed. Hence, I would have to say when writing your business plan, interview another business owner who would be willing to share a realistic operating budget as opposed to a pro forma budget which is a guestimation. In addition, before signing a lease, ask all questions and have a contractor to complete a walk through with you. Landlords are good at not disclosing information.
BBP: What advice do you have for someone considering opening a restaurant?
BE: Before opening a restaurant, make sure there is a need in the community. Start with a business plan. Have your financials in place. You must invest before financial institutions will give you a loan. Just as with your personal budget, have a rainy-day account. Ask yourself, when business slows down, how will you be able sustain your day-to-day operation? When considering opening a restaurant, location, location, location!! It is highly important. And most importantly, hire a bookkeeper/accountant to keep up with payroll and taxes.
BBP: Why do you think small businesses struggle in this community?
BE: The restaurant business is not an easy industry, and I knew this going into business, however, I was determined to own and operate my own. From my personal experience, when a new business opens everyone will support you in the beginning. Whenever a new restaurant opens the customers flock to what is new. When I closed Bettie Jean's at the end of my lease, five new restaurants opened in Beaumont and five closed, all within three to four months. We must invest in our business and advertisement is an area where we tend to not include it in our budget, or we feel there is not a need to do so. Business owners must keep up with what's trending as well. Without customers, you don't have a business. Get to know the needs and wants of your customer base.
BBP: As an educator, what is one piece of advice you would give to parents of high school students?
BE: Education is my first love and cooking is my passion. I encourage parents to watch and observe your child. Learn what excites them and steer them in that direction early in life. Each of us is born with a gift(s). Those gifts need to be nurtured early.
BBP: Why do you think community service is so important?
BE: Community service is important because it teaches us to be selfless. It takes us out of our comfort zone and teaches us how to give back and help others. Through community service we learn the gift of servitude and humility and how to reach beyond the scope of ourselves.
BBP: If you could change anything about your community, what would it be and why?
BE: One area of change I would like to see happen in our community is that we truly become unified and grow our area to be a city that people want to relocate to and raise their families.
BBP: What does the word "success" mean to you? Why?
BE: Success to me is understanding my purpose in life, why God created me, and fulfilling my destiny.
BBP: If you could, would you change anything about your journey? Why or why not?
BE: If the LORD say the same, I will be 59 years young on June 5th and my journey in life has taught me many valuable lessons. Because of the examples I had before me in life, becoming an entrepreneur was inevitable. My love for individuals with disabilities and cooking put me on the path to become an educator and it all has come full circle. Now in my later years, I am able to teach what I love doing the most, cooking and teaching. These gifts have positioned me to pass the baton to the next generation as I teach seniors to become future culinarians at the Career and Technical Education Center. I have no regrets! What I have learned in my past in the food service industry, sometimes failing forward, prepared me for my now and I owe it all to my Savior Jesus Christ.
BBP: What is your favorite thing to do after a long day?
BE: After a long day at work, I look forward to going home, spending time with my husband Oscar and chatting about our day. But to be honest, there is nothing like enjoy having a facetime call with my adult children Sierra, Bria and Caleb and grandchildren, Oliver and Brynne. Life is GOOD!
Jevonne “JC” Pollard has served the citizens of Jefferson County Precinct 1 faithfully since being the 1st woman elected to the position as Constable in 2018. Jevonne is a graduate of West Brook Senior high school, class of 1997, LIT Police Academy graduate 2001, and is currently seeking her degree from Lamar University.
Constable Pollard is a graduate of Sam Houston University’s LEMIT Texas Constables Leadership Commandc College, and The L.I.F.E Program. She is a TCOLE instructor, a certified TCOLE Mental Health Peace Officer, a Texas Justice Court Training Center instructor, an ALERRT Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events instructor and a Texas Law Enforcement Peer Support Network peer.
Constable Pollard is a Charter member of LULAC SETX, member of National Constables and Marshals Association, member of The Justice of The Peace and Constable’s Association, SETX Democratic Women, Hispanic Proactive Coalition, NAACP, and her office is one of the only LEO agencies that is a Business Partner with Beaumont Independent School District.
Constable Pollard is a community advocate and partner for; The Alzheimer's Association, Nutrition and Services for Seniors, IEA Ben’s Kids, Family Services of SETX and Spindletop Behavioral Center.
Constable Pollard has been married to her high-school sweetheart, Lance, for 20 years and they have two children, Jacey and Chase. She is passionate about the community she serves and considers herself a servant and not a politician.
BBP: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement?
CJP: My father is the reason that I chose a career in law enforcement. I’m a daddy’s girl and when I found out he was a cop in Louisiana, it was a no- brainer to me. I still wear his cuffs today.
BBP: Who or what inspired you to pursue an elected official position?
CJP: I chose to get in elected office because the idea of serving at the highest capacity in my field was always appealing. I don’t believe anyone goes into their chosen profession to be average or mediocre and we all aspire to be the best version of ourselves.
BBP: What has been your greatest challenge as a constable and how do you work to overcome it?
CJP: One of the hardest challenges is being a woman in elected office but the challenge is also the advantage. Being a woman allows you to bring a different perspective and approach to leadership, law enforcement, and politics.
BBP: As a successful woman in a male dominated field, what advice do you have for women who are considering a career in law enforcement?
CJP: I would tell any young woman thinking about entering law enforcement or a male-dominated field to know their strength and their weaknesses. I would also tell them to fortify themselves mentally because they are entering a space where more women are needed but not wanted. It will be one of the most difficult things they will ever do, but it is essential that we show up and when we do we support each other.
BBP: Why do you think small businesses struggle in this community?
CJP: I believe many small businesses struggle because of lack of real preparation and understanding of what it means to start a business. The Small Business Development Center at Lamar University used to host a monthly seminar about starting a small business and it was very helpful and insightful. You don't see that happening much anymore and I believe people aren't well-equipped to know and understand how it works, long-term.
BBP: You have been very active in your community. Why do you think community service is so important?
CJP: My brothers and I were raised with a service mindset. My dad served his country and served as a pastor and my mom is a nurse. Service was bred into us from childhood.
BBP: If you could change anything about your community, what would it be and why?
CJP: I would love to see less division between the North and South County, and better services available for our at-risk youth.
BBP: What does the word "success" mean to you? Why?
CJP: Success is a living, breathing experience that is ever evolving.
BBP: If you could, would you change anything about your journey? Why or why not?
CJP: I would not change a thing about my journey because although it’s been very difficult it’s shaped me and my administration in a way that can’t be measured. The expression is… “A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.”
BBP: If you could give one single piece of advice to a teenager, what would it be and why?
CJP: The advice I would give to any teenager or young adult is to keep your eyes completely fixed on the goal. Race horses wear blinders for a reason.
Nikki Relford, age 39, was born and raised in Beaumont Texas. She is a successful business owner of 17 years, motivational speaker, business coach, and author.
Nikki is the founder of Once Upon A Dream, a non-profit childcare center for teen parents. She is also the owner of Niklem Kids Academy, Executive Director of Aspire 2 Dream (a residential operation for foster kids), CEO of Aim to Achieve Emergency Shelter, owner & creator of Aspire Doll Collection (a motivational doll and children's book company), and co-founder of Wise & Rooted Counseling (nonprofit counseling for youth and families).
Nikki has many childcare certifications, is a TBRI Practitioner, certified anger resolution therapist, licensed chemical dependency counselor, and licensed childcare administrator. She has devoted her life to helping children and families in need. She is motivated to continue working with children with disabilities and helping parents to deal with challenging behaviors.
Nikki utilizes hands-on skills she has learned over the years from working with her own twin boys who have Pervasive Developmental Disorder. She also uses real-life situations from childhood trauma to work hands-on with children.
Nikki lives in Beaumont, Texas with her husband Lemuel and children. They love taking family trips, community outreach, and entertaining family. The Relford's have a passion for cooking and serving others.
BBP: Who or what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
NR: My Uncle Toby was an entrepreneur. I saw him start multiple businesses and become a successful entrepreneur.
BBP: What was the inspiration behind your decision to become an author?
NR: I have ADHD and I’m always busy. Writing helps me channel that energy. I decided to write children's books to inspire and motivate young children. Working in the field of child abuse, I often interact with youth who need to be encouraged. So, I decided to write stories to help them dream.
BBP: What has been your greatest challenge as an entrepreneur and how do you work to overcome it?
NR: My greatest challenge has been time management and adequate staffing. To overcome this, I try to keep my staff motivated in the workplace and maintain structure.
BBP: As a successful owner of multiple businesses, what advice do you have for someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
NR: Set the goal, create a plan, and then implement it. Ignore the noise of others and follow your own dreams.
BBP: As someone who works with the youth, what is one piece of information you would give to parents of teenagers?
NR: Parents!!!!! Listen to your teens... they have a voice and opinions that matter. Please stay in their business and know what's going on with them. Follow up on what they tell you and know their whereabouts.
BBP: Why do you think small businesses struggle in this community?
NR: Small businesses must understand that the community is who drives our business. Without the support and customers, we have no business. So, great customer service should be a priority.
BBP: You have been very active in your community. Why do you think community service is so important?
NR: It's because of Southeast Texas support that I was able to go from “Bankrupt to Success.” The support with fundraising and opening my first business was amazing. I'm thankful for the people in the community who assisted me to get to this point. So, I vow to always continue to give back to the community I live in.
BBP: If you could change anything about your community, what would it be and why?
NR: If I could change anything it would be more services for homeless people in this community.
BBP: What does the word "success" mean to you? Why?
NR: To me, success is simply meeting a goal that I set.
BBP: If you could, would you change anything about your journey? Why or why not?
NR: I wouldn’t change anything. My journey made me who I am. I'll forever be humble because of the journey I traveled to get here. The bankruptcy experience, repossession, and divorce are reminders that it happened to me and could happen again. I learned a lot from hitting rock bottom, which was the foundation I rebuilt my life on.
Now today I'm just building my empire, brick by brick.
Ms. Natasha Simon is originally from St. Martinville, Louisiana. She has lived in Beaumont, Texas for over 30 years. She is a Kingdom Woman, a mother of 2, a proud grandmother, a mentor, an educator, a community and an early childhood advocate. Natasha is passionate about and specializes in the Fundamentals of Preschool. She is a member of the 1st United States Census Early Childhood Complete Count Committee. She is also a member of the Jefferson County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. In 2020, she formed a Youth Complete Count Committee to educate the youth about the importance of completing the Census.
Natasha is the secretary for the Central High School Mass Reunion Committee. She is also the Youth Coordinator of the Golden Triangle Coalition of Black Democrats. As a member of the National Council of Negro Women Beaumont Southeast Texas Area Section, she serves as 1st Vice President and is Chair of the Scholarship Committee. She is also 2nd Vice President of the Top Ladies of Distinction Beaumont Chapter. Natasha is 1st Vice President of the Beaumont Branch NAACP where she willingly serves countless hours. She is Co Chair for the (WIN) Women in the NAACP, Membership, and Scholarship Committees. She is also the Youth Advisor for the Beaumont NAACP Youth Council.
In her spare time, she loves spending time with loved ones, traveling, shopping, and cooking.
BBP: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in education?
NS: Anna Liedy inspired me to pursue a career in education. As a teenager she inspired me to pursue a degree in Early Childcare & Development.
BBP: What has been your greatest challenge working in education and how have you worked to combat that challenge?
NS: The average (young) age of families and the different disorders that are so common in students is the greatest challenge working in education. Prayer and training combat the challenge.
BBP: What advice do you have for someone who may be considering a career in education?
NS: Re-evaluate your decision more than once. Ask yourself if it is about the income or the students. If it is about income, don't pursue this career. Our students deserve and need more than a warm body.
BBP: In your opinion, what is the first step in improving student behaviors in the classroom?
NS: The first step in improving student behaviors in the classroom is parents accepting their child’s behavior, and then holding the students accountable for the inappropriate behavior.
BBP: You are very active in the community. Why do you think community service is so important?
NS: Community service is important; it is helping others, building character, discipline, and skill.
BBP: As a longtime member & leader in the Beaumont Chapter of the NAACP, explain its significance & why people should join?
NS: As a member & leader in the Beaumont NAACP I believe its significance is that it is the largest, longest sustaining, African American organization. The community should join because it gives you the opportunity to become part of your local NAACP and a national network of people that support education innovation, health equity, environmental and climate justice, inclusive economy, and racial equity. It gives you a voice, and support.
BBP: If you could change anything about your community, what would it be and why?
NS: If I could change anything about your community it would be the division. Division is time consuming, and exhausting. We need to collaborate more. Collaboration is a good example of love, and unity for all.
BBP: What does the word "success" mean to you? Why?
The word success to me means productivity. Productivity is the act of producing, making progress, and moving forward.
BBP: If you could, would you change anything about your journey? Why or why not?
NS: No, I wouldn’t change anything about my journey. I wouldn’t change anything about my journey because God is the travel agent. He has customized my journey’s itinerary.
BBP: To date, what would you say your greatest accomplishment has been? Why?
NS: My greatest accomplishment thus far is surrendering my life to God because it is the most valuable treasure and inheritance that I can give my children. It will last for generations to come.
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