Jeremy and I moved to NWA in 2019 from Southern CA. We lived in an RV for six months before we decided to move to Bentonville in early 2020. Jeremy is a US Marine retired and I was a Spanish interpreter for over 12 years. I was born in Mexicali, Mexico and migrated to California in 1993, at the same time Jeremy was graduating from Eureka Springs High and joining the Marines.
In 2020 in the middle of a pandemic, we decided to start a catering business in NWA, Carmelita Catering Co. We have been blessed to have been able to get this far into the business during these times.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband and I live in Bentonville with our 2 fur babies Betty Lu and Daisy Mae
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Jeremy retired from the Marines after 20 years of service and I am an entrepreneur by nature and in the middle of a pandemic we decided to embark on a new adventure by opening our catering company in NWA!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Pastafina in Cave Springs
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
1 year
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The Northwest Arkansas community has been so welcoming that it is hard to name one person in particular.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
To California to see my loved ones!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movie: Pretty Woman TV Show: Escape to the Chateau
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never give up on yourself
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t have a bucket list I enjoy every day of my life and try to live it to the fullest.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
No Rain by Blind Melon
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Sadly we are so new to the area and the pandemic has affected our ability to explore our community.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Morgan Freeman, I would want to talk to him about his netflix documentaries and find out if he really lived that life. We can have this chat over a beer at Bentonville brewery.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
All the trails around here, I can’t wait for spring!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I want to live in a van by the river, lol, seriously I want to own a house by a body of water here in NWA
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I bought a yurt to live in.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Vista CA
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
April, Christmas, 4/20
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
In and Out burgers
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband, my nieces and nephews
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Jasmin, Gardenia
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Warm, food, love
