We had the good fortune of connecting with Sequoia Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sequoia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My business has focused on prioritizing people and the planet first. When it was product based, products were intentionally chosen that were made of recycled or organic materials, and shipping envelopes were compostable. Since the beginning we have opted to non-profit organizations that support the work of those helping immigrants and refugees.

Since the shift to services in early 2021, Puebla York works to educate, encourage travelers to travel slower and especially support local and women-owned businesses. Whether this is at home or during their travels. We know that helping locally owned businesses has a significant impact on local economies. It is our hope that people realize that small acts can make a difference.

What should our readers know about your business?
My connection and deep love of food and travel goes back to when I was a child. I traveled each summer to visit my grandparents in Japan and grew up with a father who was a farmer and a mother who worked in hospitality. I ‘ve been interested in entrepreneurship since elementary school.

I didn’t necessarily know where my life would lead me professionally because I had varied interests, but I can say that each of those experiences has brought me to where I am today. There were indications that might have given me a hint that I would have a business that combined food and travel, but until I had an epiphany in late 2020, it wasn’t clear.

Puebla was founded just about 4 years ago in 2019 as a product-based business selling ethically-sourced clothing and accessories. My reason for moving from NYC to Miami was to open a brick-and-mortar shop for my former jewelry business. When that didn’t pan out, I decided to move anyway and within a year of moving, I registered Puebla York.

However, I always wanted to be a service-based business. I didn’t realize that what came easily to me, planning travel, researching where to go/eat/visit and maintaining connections with those I met during my travels, could be my service. The decision was easy, but getting really clear on exactly how those offers looked did take some time.

Entrepreneurship, especially when you’re running solo, isn’t easy. The little wins such as launching your website, getting your first order or client are thrilling, but you’re always wearing so many hats and it can be tough to know what to prioritize and see the bigger picture. This is where having a community of other entrepreneurs that understand what you’re going through and to celebrate you is vital.

In my previous business I had a business partner where we didn’t quite see eye-to-eye however, they really saw qualities in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. That business experience and working with someone who lives abroad, taught me a tremendous amount of patience and tenacity. It also made me realize that I felt that business was never my own so when the business plans to open up a store in Miami didn’t work out, I took it as a sign that I needed to forge my own path.

My passion for culinary experiences grew tremendously when I worked in the restaurant industry for a decade. I loved seeing people gather and connect while enjoying delicious food. Opening a new restaurant and learning a menu were aspects that I enjoyed and did well at. Above all, the relationships built with colleagues and guests brought and continues to bring such energy to my life.

The business name Puebla York was actually inspired by the colleagues who I worked with at a restaurant in NYC, many of whom were from Puebla, Mexico. My life’s experiences have brought me to where I am today. I am continuously inspired and moved by the warmth of the Mexican people and the nuances of the cuisine. Being half Japanese, I consider it my second home and want travelers to learn and recognize that Japan has much to see and experience beyond the two popular cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.

Supporting local or women owned businesses wherever possible, Puebla York’s vision is that travelers can make their dream trip happen while being intentional about how they travel and experience first hand the beauty and magic of Japan or Mexico.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Where we’d eat:

-Scrumptious pastries at Zak the Baker
-Lunch at an outdoor table at Mandolin Aegean to shared Greek or Turkish mezze, a special dish of the day, some Greek rosé and Spanakopita
-Sunset dinner at La Mar
-Dinner at Nave in Coconut Grove for seafood and pasta
-Brunch at Yardbird for chicken and waffles
-Dinner at The Drexel for baked kefalograviera, wild prawns, and a pizza paired with a glass of light bodied red
-Bagels at El Bagel before heading to to the beach
-Dinner at Leku for Basque cuisine
-Brisket and sides at Hometown BBQ

Where’d we enjoy drinks:

-A glass of Spanish wine on rooftop bar of the Esmé Hotel
– A cocktail at The bar of The Drexel before dinner
-late night drink at Sweet Liberty
-wine at Lagniappe

Where’d we visit:

-Rubell Museum
-Wynwood walls
– Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Hang out or Do:

-Check out the shops in Coconut Grove
-Swim and relax on South Beach
-Bicycle around South Beach
-Walk along Lincoln Road and grab coffee at XO Espresso
-Bebito’s in South Beach to people watch

-Kayak in Oleta River State Park

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All of those who work in restaurants don’t necessarily get the gratitude or recognition they deserve when they work tirelessly for themselves and their families. I especially want to thank those Mexican colleagues that I worked with in New York City who helped me to understand, love and appreciate Mexican culture and humor. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t appreciate each and everyone one of those individuals that helped me to become a confident server and whose own endeavors outside of the job inspired my life and business.

Website: https://pueblayorkinc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0QSSXZ5XEsAG52WiyEG5YA

Image Credits
Wini Lao Photography, Sequoia Armstrong

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.