Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Raphael.
Hi Andy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
That is a wonderful question.
I am a career (retired now) police officer with over 30 years public service.
The most important job I ever had/have is being the husband to my wonderful wife Teresa (33 years and counting), father to our daughter Alexandra & grandfather to our 3 grandsons
After a very interesting & blessed career. Which spanned Patrol, k-9, SWAT, narcotics Detective, State and Federal task force assignments, training officer, Community policing officer and School Resource Officer. I have been recognized with numerous local, state & national awards. Additionally, I was President of the Southeast chapter of the largest private sponsor of the Nation Law Enforcement Officers Memorial fund, The Police Unity Tour. Lastly, pertaining to this section of my life. I am an instructor with the largest community policing initiative in the world Coffee with a Cop and the creator of Cookies & Milk with a Cop.
After retirement I started playing a lot of (really bad golf) and continued riding my bicycle on multi-state rides.
One day in 2021 while having coffee in a local coffee shop (if you know me, you know that is a DAILY occurrence) a friend of mine convinced me to take my hobby of catering events to the next level.
I went home and mentioned this to Teresa. Here response was “You have been retired for 4 years, do you really want to go back to work, working 60 plus hours a week? After thinking about everything that needed to happen to take this from a hobby to a business. We decided to invest a “very small” amount of money and give it one year to see what happens. What we knew was we both are not afraid of hard work and long hours.
The first event we were hired for was a Halloween party for 250 guests. So, there it was we would either be successful or out of business right out of the box. Well, we are still standing so I guess that event went well.
Over the past four plus years we have continued to grow and expand our footprint in the community. We like to consider ourselves the “not your typical catering company”. We experiment with unconventional presentations and display.
Weather it is wedding, bridal or baby shower, milestone birthday, graduation, sweet 16, quince, celebration of life, corporate event. private in-home chef’s dinner. From 12 guests to serving 10,000 guests.
We make every event personal. We meet with each client and plan each event to their specific desires. We work with brides for 18 months leading up to their wedding. In-person, video calls, phone calls and texts. If the meeting needs to be at 10pm then we meet at 10pm. After all, it is our privilege to be a part of all of these life milestones. Clients become family to us.
We pride ourselves on our ability to give back to a community that supports us so much.
Some of the local and national non-profits we support with our time, money and in-kind donations are:
American Cancer society (I am one of their 25 men in pink)
Matthew’ Hope
Hope for More Foundation
Advent Health Children’s Charities
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Foundation
Windermere Wine & Dine
Southern Cross Service Dogs
Eight Waves
Polka Dogs
Police Unity Tour
I am sure I am leaving some things out.
Of course we are fully licensed, insured and have a professional commercial kitchen.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming from a background outside of this industry there was definitely a learning curve. I was blessed early on to randomly come in contact with a few “liked minded” industry professionals who believed it was their duty to assist others breaking into the industry. They were so secure in themself and their businesses that they took calls from an unknown up start and gave of their time and experience freely. They will never be forgotten for that.
How do you think about happiness?
Being able to be a part of so many major life events being celebrated by our clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Bigboardscatering.com
- Instagram: @Bigboardscatering
- Other: Instagram @Bigboardscatering
Image Credits
I will send photos in a separate email
