Meet Hunter Ambrose of Irie Vibez in Lakewood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Ambrose.

Hunter, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My entire childhood, I grew up in foster care. After being emancipated at the age of 17, two weeks before I turned 18, I was pretty much homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Through perseverance and faith, I was able to locate my mother who was living at the time in Denver, Co when I was 21 years old. Although she suffered still from an alcohol addiction, my journey to Denver was a blessing in disguise.

I found resources that eventually led me to finding the Action Center Program, and I was able to stay in the shelter program while I was pregnant with my first daughter. Through this journey, I met Renata Heberton, founder of Angelica Village, who introduced me to intentional community and restorative justice. Angelica Village has supported every endeavor of mine from graduating cosmetology school to studying abroad in India, and entrepreneurship for myself and within the community. Because of this, I have been able to work on my degree and have been able to establish my own catering business Irie Vibez, Vegetarian Caribbean Cuisine. Alongside of food, we make teas, hot sauces, pumpkin breads, and even have an extension named Irie Vibez Suga and Soaps featuring handmade African back hand soaps and sugar scrubs. I truly love and believe in natural healthy options for what I put in and on my temple. I put that same energy into Irie Vibez because that is the philosophy that changed my life. Namaste.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Big obstacles are credit issues, balancing personal and business life, finishing school.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Irie Vibez – what should we know?
Irie Vibez is a vegetarian Caribbean catering company, with the ultimate goal of becoming a food truck business. We specialize in hot vegetarian Caribbean food, ‘teas, pumpkin breads, and hot sauces. We also have an extension called Irie Vibez Suga and Soap featuring homemade African Black hand soap and a variety of Scutari scrubs. What sets Irie Vibez apart is that we are totally plant-based, and none of our products are harmful to the environment!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Angelica Village has played a tremendous role in the success of Irie Vibez! Angelica Village is a nonprofit community that houses former refugees and foster youth from around the world and country. In addition, they are an intentional community whose works motto is to give what you can and receive what you need. They hold weekly community meals and have a variety of areas to be involved in such as gardening, tutoring, volunteering, donating, etc.

Pricing:

• Catering – 10$-12$ Per Person
• Personal Chef – 100$ Per Hour
• Pineapple Ginger Green Tea – 10$
• Mango Habanero Extra Hot Sauce – 12$
• Vegan Pumpkin Bread – $10L/$5SM
• Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Bread – 10$

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/102497204897804/posts/113339413813583/?extid=dYaxQbMrisxZABqD&d=n
• Phone: 7207253320
• Email: vibingirie@gmail.com

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