We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Estrada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson my business has taught me is to never stop building meaningful relationships. Building relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, like minded individuals in my industry, suppliers, distributors and my team has significantly impacted the success of my business. It’s also provided me with opportunities to learn and grow along the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
After graduating from culinary school I became a personal chef for multiple families. I would create pre-prepared meals in my clients’ homes so they could be preserved and reheated throughout the week. I show my love for others through food and knew that I wanted to expand the services I was offering. In my spare time I created my business plan while working on recipe development, menu creation and cooking as much as possible. I did all of this while trying to juggle being a new mom to two toddlers. Trying to create a work-life balance has created obstacles and challenges along the way but asking for help from family and friends has made it manageable and well worth it! Fresh Creations offers plant based Catering & Personal Chef Services. We create health-conscious plant-based food with quality and flavor at the forefront of every meal. Our services include a weekly meal delivery service, in-home or virtual cooking classes and catering events from corporate meetings to personal milestones. From uptown to downtown, we will handcraft your event, creating truly delicious plant-based bites. We provide innovate selections of food using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients, while creating a positive and lasting impression of your event. I love to partner and collaborate with organic farms and other businesses throughout San Diego to provide our clients with the very best, organic, fresh and locally sourced seasonal ingredients and products.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
If my best friend was visiting San Diego, I’d pick her up from the airport and drive across the street to Coasterra where we would sip on Deb’s Coconut Margaritas and munch on Tableside Guacamole while enjoying breathtaking views of the San Diego bay. From there we would head over to Little Italy where we’d walk through trendy bars, boutiques and Waterfront Park. The following day we’d hike Los Penasquitos Canyon and then head over for a brewery tour in Miramar. The days preceding we’d go to several of my favorite beaches in north county including Moonlight Beach, we’d walk through museums in Balboa Park, enjoy wine tasting at Rancho Guejito Vineyard, enjoy a relaxing pool and spa day at Harrah’s and dine at my favorite vegan restaurants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Fresh Creations wouldn’t be what it is today without the amazing people that have helped me along the way! I’d like to give a special shout out to my twin sister, Stephanie Johnson and extremely supportive husband, Juan Estrada. Both have been by my side throughout this crazy ride! I am beyond grateful to my Fresh Creations “Crew” Leo Garcia and Becky Pietrenski, who have helped make my dream come true and encourage me to have fun while doing it! I am extremely thankful to the neighbors throughout my community of Rancho San Pasqual (Aly Jamison, Tara Ramos, Bronwyn Mahieu, Mimi Wright and April Moor to name a few) who have supported and encouraged our business more than I could have ever dreamed! Our business wouldn’t be successful without you! Katie Farina, my mentor and amazing friend who has continued to provide me with motivation, emotional support and been a great role model every step of the way. Last but not least, I am extremely grateful to everyone I’ve had the opportunity to partner and collaborate with (I’m talking about you Stephanie Firenze, Dawn Neldon, Angela Minardi and so many more) that in turn has helped motivate and encourage me to become more effective, productive and provide additional value to our clients.

Website: https://www.freshcreationssd.com/
Instagram: @FreshCreationsSD