Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Romero.
Hi Carmen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Originally from Mexico City, Carmen Romero-Nichols has called Topeka home for more than 20 years since moving to Kansas with her family. She is a proud graduate of Topeka High School, earned her undergraduate degree from Washburn University, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Baker University.
Carmen is the Director of Operations for ECI Services and the owner of La Creperie Co., a popular Topeka food truck. She was recognized among Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 in 2023 and is a Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2024 alumna.
Deeply committed to civic engagement, Carmen serves as Vice Chair of the City of Topeka Human Relations Commission, sits on the Small Business Council, and contributes her expertise to the Food Truck Festival Board and several other local boards and committees. She is an active member of OMNI Circle and Go Topeka (GTP), along with other community organizations.
Topeka and the State of Kansas hold special meaning for Carmen. She is passionate about supporting small businesses, fostering diversity, and helping drive Topeka’s continued growth and vibrancy.
Carmen created La Creperie Co. to bring something unique to the Topeka area and to celebrate her love for crepes, waffles, and family traditions. The food truck is a family-run business dedicated to quality: all batters and chicken breading are made from original recipes, and every menu item pairs fresh fruit with creative, flavorful toppings.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing the demands of a growing food-truck business with a full-time corporate role and active community leadership commitments. I’ve had to become very intentional with my time and build reliable systems to stay organized and focused. At the same time, entering the food industry without a culinary background brought a steep learning curve—everything from understanding health regulations and sourcing ingredients to managing the ups and downs of seasonal sales. Introducing a completely new concept to the community required patience and creativity, and I worked to build brand awareness and earn trust one event and one customer at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few different hats. I’m the Director of Operations at ECI Services, where I lead the Topeka office and waiver-audit team and use data analysis to help streamline our processes. I also own and oversee La Creperie Co., a food truck known for fresh, made-from-scratch crepes, waffles, and other treats across Topeka and northeast Kansas.
I’m proud of how La Creperie Co. has introduced something unique and creative to the local food scene. All of our batters and chicken breading come from original recipes, paired with fresh fruit and inventive toppings. What sets us apart is the mix of authenticity and innovation—we’re not just serving food, we’re creating a memorable experience that helps strengthen Topeka’s sense of community.
I’m equally proud of my own growth—both personally and professionally. As an immigrant and a teen mom, I never could have imagined coming this far. Thanks to the support of family, friends, and a lot of hard work, I’ve built a career and a business I love. Looking back on that journey motivates me to keep pushing forward and to continue finding new ways to grow and give back. And the best part is, I’m nowhere near finished—there’s still so much more I want to create and accomplish.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m exploring ways to grow La Creperie Co.’s presence in northeast Kansas—potentially through additional trucks or other creative ventures that let us share our recipes with more communities. I’m keeping an open mind to the right opportunities as they come, with the goal of thoughtful, sustainable personal and professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lacreperieco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_creperie_co/?next=%2F
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093906320246
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-romero-044162139/
