‘Embrace Changes,’ Says Valobra, Whose Namesake Jewelry Store Has Become a Houston Institution
Whom do you credit? As I stand squarely on the shoulders of three great men that ran the company before me, my main motivation is to carry the torch to the next generation by carefully expanding the business, protecting the brand, and maintaining the highest level of ethics and professionality while doing it.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Passion and conviction for what you do are going to be of paramount importance for your success. Passion for success may not bring you success, but passion for your work will undoubtedly bring you success.
- Take great care of your client. A relentlessly fanatical approach to customer service is another great key to success.
- Never cease to learn about your business and ways to improve it.
- Don’t fear changes; embrace them and try to anticipate them.
What’s more important in a successful business: seeking the highest profitability or to striving to purvey your clientele with the best values? It is like health and happiness, the two do not exist without the other.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? The steady progression of custom designed jewelry creations for an ever more sophisticated clientele excites me. It challenges my staff and continues to refine our skills and knowledge. In terms of preparing for the future, my long-term goal is to instill the principles and business values to my next generations that were instilled to me.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner? Opening successful jewelry boutiques in America thousands of miles away from my comfort zone and making them highly successful. Creating a working environment that is both fun and efficient, cultivating long-term loyalty from clients and staff alike. Continuously curating a sterling reputation and an unequivocally ethical stance.
What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner? Successfully adapting to my business’ ever-changing trends, competing ethically and efficiently in the world of digital content, and constantly creating new designs while delivering value and exclusivity to our clientele.
HEAR YE, HEAR ye! The Texas Renaissance Festival has announced its plans for its 50th anniversary season, which opens on Oct. 12 and is preceded by a series of exciting events of magic and merriment.
Texas Renaissance Festival, which runs on weekends through Dec. 1, says this year's will be its biggest yet and include several new attractions. Already the largest event of its kind, the Renaissance Festival is attended by more than half a million revelers every year. It was the subject of a three-part docuseries called Ren Faire, which aired earlier this year on HBO and portrayed the battle for who might succeed octogenarian founder George Coulam in running the festival. (Officially, the Texas Renaissance Festival issued a statement distancing itself from the film.)
Ahead of the party in Todd Mission, Texas, those in Houston can experience adventure and enchantment at several kickoff events this month. On Sunday, Sept. 18, the Once Upon a Symphony concert in The Woodlands "transports visitors to far off lands" in a celebration of some of fiction's most fantastical fairy tales. The next day, Sept. 19, Ren Fest and Karbach kick off the Karbachtober Fest at the brewery. St. Arnold also has an Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
Then the gates open on Oct. 12, with the Ren Fest's own Oktoberfest celebration taking place Oct. 12-13. "Journey back in time to old Bavaria ... . Show off your lederhosen in our daily costume contest or participant in our bratwurst eating contest," beckons the website. Other themed weekends include "Pirate Adventure" and "Heroes and Villains," inviting the likely-already-dressed-up attendees to put on even more costumes and gear.
JUST IN TIME for patio season, a brother location to Houston’s original Loro Heights from Hai Hospitality and Franklin BBQ will bow Sept. 28. Loro is an approachable concept in the Hai Hospitality family that is also home to the award-winning restaurants Uchi, Uchiko, Uchibā and Oheya.
The Loro Kirby (5333 Kirby Dr., to be exact) menu will balance Southeast Asian flavors with the rich textures of traditional Texas barbecue. “Houston really embraced our first Loro location in the Heights, so we decided pretty early on that we wanted to open another location in the city,” said founding chef Tyson Cole. “This location will feature a variety of fan favorite dishes along with new options guests will only find at Kirby.”
The casual space in a former autobody shop takes cues from its siblings in Austin and Dallas, with inspiration drawn from Texas Hill Country dance halls. The interior dining space seats 120, with 70 dining seats outdoors on a dog-friendly patio with a pergola overhead. For waiting guests, there is an expansive shaded patio with a walk-up outdoor bar serving beverages, plus some outdoor games.
The vast counter-serve menu showcases shareables, smoked meats, salads, warm rice bowls, sandwiches, sides and cocktails. Tempting shareables include smoked salmon dip with shishito salsa, chicken karaage and pork tostadas.
Some of Loro’s most popular items are found under the Meat selections, including the char siew pork belly served with house hoisin sauce; oak-smoked salmon with cucumber-yuzu broth; and crispy Thai pork ribs in a sweet-chili glaze. Starting at 4pm, Loro serves up signature smoked beef brisket with chili gastrique and Thai herbs. Two-fisted sandwiches also hit the spot. The oak-smoked pulled-pork sandwich with sesame slaw and smoked pepper barbecue sauce and the double smash burger are exclusive to the Kirby location.
The perfect antidote for transitional weather includes the Chilled Ginger Noodle Salad with ginger-cashew sauce, and the arugula-and-melon Salad with cucumber tomato and lime vinaigrette. Optionally, add one of several proteins: Crispy Szechuan tofu, Malaysian curry chicken, or curry marinated grilled shrimp. So much to eat here, so little time!
To celebrate the opening of the second location,
Loro Kirby will participate in several events and collaborations this fall. For opening day, Sept. 28, Loro will offer $5 all-day boozy slushees. Also, Oct. 26, Loro will pop up at Rice Village neighbor, Tecovas, serving bites and taking entries for a Tecovas/Loro giveaway.
Additionally, Loro chef de Cuisine Esai Negrete and Houston’s own “Sugar Fairy,” Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, will collaborate on a pastry item for one of her Saturday Pop Ups — date to be announced soon.
Crispy corn fritters
Sweet-chili shrimp
Ribs at Loro
Crispy chicken sandwich
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