User:HospitalityJournalist/sandbox

• Comment: Earlier (G13'd, and recently refunded) draft on the same subject exists at Draft:Alexandria Hollowell. -- DoubleGrazing (talk) 07:27, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

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Alexandria Hollowell

Alexandria Hollowell (born December 9, 1992) is an American hospitality magnate and restaurateur. She is the owner and operator of LE Meals, a Gullah-Geechee and Creole fused restaurant in Austin, Texas. In 2020, she was recognized as being a pioneer for the Gullah-Geechee community in the Austin Monthly.

Early life and education

Hollowell was born in Nassau Bay, Texas and raised between League City, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida. Her mother is Gullah-Geechee from Charleston, South Carolina and her father is Creole from New Orleans, Louisiana. Both parents pursued active careers, her mother, a mechanical engineer and graduate of the University of South Carolina. Was immediately hired out of college into Boeing and was acknowledged as the first African-American women in her role while there. After Boeing, her mother went on to pursue an Operational Plant Manager position at Anheueser-Busch Brewery in Houston, Texas, where she was again, the First African-American woman in several positions. Later moving to Jacksonville, Florida to accept a Senior Manager of Operations position with Anheueser-Busch Brewery, taking Alexandria with her. Alexandria's father was a United States Coast Guard Commander and one of the first African-American men in his role.

Due to both parents being active in the workforce, Alexandria's journey began under the care of a Spanish-speaking nanny, shaping her earlier years with diverse linguistic influences. By the age of nine, she was a self-trained cook and had established her taste for organic food. When her parents divorced at age 11, she was nearly independent and cooking had became second-nature. Picking up dish ideas from watching her parents cook between the two households.

Alexandria Hollowell earned her bachelor's degree in Organizational/Corporate Communications from the University of Houston in 2019, achieving Cum Laude Honors. Notably, she was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and recognized as a Fulbright Candidate. Hollowell received the National Engaged Leader Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success, leading to her selection among a distinguished group of students to participate in executive meetings with industry giants like Warner Bros., Paramount, FOX, ABC and more.

In addition to her academic achievements, Hollowell holds certifications as a Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA) and a Certified Hotel Appraiser (CHA). Demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning, she graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors, attaining an Executive Master's Degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Houston in 2023.

Career

Alexandria Hollowell, a distinguished figure in the culinary and hospitality industry, has had a notable career marked by entrepreneurship and culinary expertise.

In 2015, Alexandria entered the hospitality industry as a hostess at Landry's Inc., swiftly progressing to head server within a year. Over the next five years, she navigated through various Landry's Inc. concepts and titles such as bartender and front-of-house manager, showcasing her dedication to customer service.

In 2016, she achieved recognition within Landry's Inc. as one of the two top servers company-wide, excelling in company sales, promotions and earning positive reviews.

In May 2019, Hollowell moved to Austin, Texas, joining Pappas Restaurants as a server before securing a full-time role as an Executive Account Manager in her field.

Lavish Endeavors™

In 2017, Alexandria Hollowell established Lavish Endeavors™, a Houston-based, telecommunications enterprise that encapsulates her extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Functioning as a digital gallery and booking platform, it provided a space to engage with Hollowell's services and explore her portfolio. As a published model, actress, radio personality, production assistant and published hairstylist. Hollowell has contributed her skills to notable projects, including roles in the production teams for NBC Sports, CNN, and 5th Ward the Series.

Lavish Endeavors was driven by a commitment to crafting distinctive and unforgettable experiences for its clients. The company stood out as a tangible expression of Hollowell's proficiency and enthusiasm, offering a window into her entrepreneurial acumen. Notably, the acronym "LE" in her company LE Meals™, represents "Lavish Endeavors™." However, the company Lavish Endeavors was paused in 2019. As Hollowell focused on her ambitious goals within the hospitality industry.

LE Meals™

On April 1, 2020, Alexandria Hollowell established LE Meals™, an organic dessert enterprise in Austin, Texas, initially operating from her home's curbside. The venture gained swift acclaim, selling out within the first 10 minutes and earning the moniker "Red River Food Gem" for its popularity. The soaring demand prompted an interview invitation from Eater a mere four months after its launch.

In August 2022, Hollowell, marked a significant milestone in her career with the grand opening of a new location in Austin, Texas. On July 12, 2022, Eater reported the expansion as LE Meals™ introduced a second spot within the Wingman Kitchens MLK commissary that offered an additional dine-in option.

In her role, she has integrated global channels to push the company's mission, developed consumer product goods, and successfully launched e-commerce and social platforms. Her accomplishments include acquiring and nurturing high-profile client and investor relations, along with providing valuable insights to train and lead all employee and managerial positions.