Spotlight: It’s A Vibe Catering
Founded in Portland, It’s A Vibe Catering specializes in bold, flavorful meals inspired by Southern, Caribbean, and Pacific Northwest influences. From beautifully curated events to pop-ups and community meals, everything they create is intentional, not just in taste but in the energy they bring into every space. Below, co-owner Kristin shares more about the business, what they’re most proud of, and the challenges they face.
What's special about It’s A Vibe?
Kristin: What makes us special is what's behind the food. We use our business as a platform to mentor and train youth and adults impacted by the justice system, providing them real job skills, confidence, and opportunities in the culinary world. Through our Street Team and community partnerships, we believe food can be a bridge and bring people together across backgrounds, generations, and experiences. Our setups are amazing, our flavors are unforgettable, and our mission is pretty simple: serve amazing food while creating pathways for people. When you book It’s A Vibe, you’re not just getting a caterer - you’re supporting a business that reinvests in the community.
What role does the community play in your business?
Kristin: The community is the reason It’s A Vibe exists and continues to grow. A large portion of our bookings come from community partners and nonprofits who intentionally choose to support a small, mission-driven business like ours. That support has allowed us to do more than cater events. It has helped us create real opportunities for youth in our community.
Through our Street Team, we hire and train young people, many of whom are navigating tough circumstances, and offer them hands-on experience in food service, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. Watching the community show up, whether it's by hiring us, spreading the word, or mentoring us or our youth, reminds us that we’re not in this alone.
We’ve also received guidance and support from organizations like Hacienda CDC, Historic Parkrose, Black United Fund, Prosper Portland, and others who have shared knowledge, resources, and encouragement as we grow into a sustainable business. It takes a village, and we’re grateful to be part of one that believes in lifting each other up.
What has been your biggest success to date?
Kristin: Our biggest success isn’t just about money or big events. It’s the growth of our Street Team. Over the past few years, we’ve watched our team members come in with little to no kitchen experience and grow into confident leaders who understand food prep, customer service, and even the basics of running a business.
Some have learned how to price menu items, work events professionally, and think like entrepreneurs. Seeing that shift, from uncertainty to confidence, is the most rewarding part of what we do. Food is the tool, but empowerment is the real outcome.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Kristin: Like many small businesses, one of our biggest challenges is balancing our mission with financial reality. We are deeply committed to creating jobs and paid opportunities, especially for youth and individuals who need a second chance. That means our payroll and training costs are high, and growth often requires investing in people before we see a financial return.
We also face the ongoing pressures from rising food costs, equipment needs and facility expenses as we work to create stable spaces for our programs and operations. Support from the community - whether through bookings, partnerships, mentorship, or sponsorship makes a real difference for a business like ours. Every event booked and every connection made helps us continue creating opportunities while doing what we love: feeding people and building pathways forward.
