So oftentimes the most precious people are overlooked based on their appearance,social status and or their ability to live like “others”. For me, this exactly what I look for! The misfits! The underdog! The testers that’s waiting on a testimony to emerge!

When I’m out, I make it my business to let everyone I encounter in need know,that I am here. How can I be out here making money selling food and not help those in need of the very same food Im selling? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I get angry, hurt and down right sad when I see the underserved scraping and trying to make it, while we live high off the hog per se.

So let’s take it back to how it all started. When I was a child in church,we would always pack lunches and go hand them out. I myself was starving because we lacked food at our own home. So even though I had a roof over my head,I still felt like a misfit. Not eating everyday can be damaging to your mental and physical wellbeing. For me,it took a toll more mentally. I couldn’t wrap my head around the WHY I was hungry. Why my mother couldn’t make ends meet. As I got older, it bled over into my adulthood and with me raising my child. It became the barrier of me having only one child. I equated having a lot of kids to,”too many” and they will be hungry! How could I afford to feed them? Was I going to be a welfare recipient all my life because I laid down and had all these kids with no resources or knowledge for a better life? Life is a cycle and if you don’t leap out of the matrix it can get low. You would first have to understand the matrix to understand this logic.

Knowing all of that, I begin to have anxiety with raising my child. I would visit the grocery store weekly to make sure we had “food” in the fridge. If I opened my fridge and there was only one jug of juice and milk, I would run to fill it up more to appear like we have food. I mainly worked to make sure my child could eat everyday! Not depend on school breakfast and lunch to fill his belly. I learned to cook because of my child and the fear of not being able to feed him. Little did I know,this trauma would birth a beast (FISH TRAP’N)

As I kept the grip of my reality, I would then start back doing as I did as a child and go feed others. I would grab some of my friends and pack up SACKS and just go hand them out. Some of my friends thought I was crazy,some thought I had a heart of gold but none of that concerned me. My whole purpose was to make sure I fed someone that day and it gave them even more hope that things will get better. I joined a Social Club and they asked for community service events. The first thing I did was do what I do best. I pulled off a “Homeless drive” where I had multiple clubs drop off packs and packs of donated items for us to fill bags with. You wouldn’t think serving the underserved community would be hard to accomplish but people’s mindsets have been warped with the carnal things we go through in life. We often forget about what’s not in our sight. Moving along,we got this done!

When I started Fish Trap’n I knew it had to stand for something much more than selling this “FAT CAT”. This was my shot to do this ministry in my own little way. Being that I would go to a lot of places by myself, I would have to load and unload my things for these events. Every time I was out,there was someone unhoused that opened their heart and would help me. They would come and say, “Ms.Lady, when you ready to go I’ll come back and help you since you by yourself.” Now most people would be leary but it was like they were there specifically for me. I didn’t have “money” to give but I knew I could feed them and feed them good for helping. Most of the time that is what they wanted,food! This was right up my alley lol  My first 2 years of Trap’n was hard! I didn’t have a small set up and it was heavy! I sometimes think God placed his angels there on purpose to be there in my time of need.

In the ghost kitchen days. I would cook up what was left at the end of the night. I would take it to North Dallas on Park lane where I grew up and hand out plates every Saturday morning around 4am! Each Saturday the number grew because the word was out. “Here comes that Fish lady with the red truck” they would say when I pulled in. This just made my heart leap out of my chest. Little Ole me was making some kind of impact in this big world. I never want to loose that feeling of gratitude. I never want anyone around me to not feel valued. For that, I make this my purpose to always help where I can with what I have.

This brought on to me coining myself #5loavesand2fishlady. Just like Jesus fed over 5k with just 5 loaves and 2 fish,he makes it to where I can do so much with so little every time! Now when I’m out,I get the homeless coming up and asking if they can eat. My answer is ALWAYS, when I’m out. Any time you see Fish Trap’n, you know you have a hot meal for the night. Some were shy,some were prideful but that’s their right. I respect it all. In a world that already overlooks you because of your outer appearance, it’s just nice for someone to acknowledge you and to show you that you are still loved in some capacity, and Jesus is still in the blessing business by his people(me).

Fish Trap’ n is looking to expand this movement to once a month. I want to be able to take my trailer out(when I’m blessed with it) and cook for as many as I can, a fresh Hot meal EVERY MONTH! My dream one day is to have all this love inside me poured into each meal and handed out to those that just need a hug. I want to always be accessible to them and to know that God is always with them. Even when we can’t feel him, he is there. Even when our lives seem to have taken a turn and not always for the good, he is there. I can’t explain no greater love than our Heavenly father. When I couldn’t eat, he sent me someone that fed me and I want to be the same for someone wherever he sends me. It’s just the right thing to do!

First let me say, this ain’t for the weak!

Leaving a comfort zone of a constant check to check cycle is mind boggling for most of us. We couldn’t dream of not having to answer to someone else, not having to “think”about the mundane task of working. Then there are some of us, who aren’t built for that system. I think I knew working for the “man” wasn’t gonna work for me at my very first job and I was fired. Having someone having that much control of my livelihood never really sat right in my spirit. You put in all this work,miss family time,miss living in this big world because you are constantly worrying about your financial obligations.That ish is wack! You mean to tell me after 40 years in one place, I still don’t have enough to live my life that God gave us! That’s bogus as hell in my eyes. Nevertheless I did this for 24 years straight. Each job I was hired at, was more toxic and irrelevant to me as a person and what I essentially stood for. My beef was not the actual work,it was the mindsets of the people. It was the do as I say and not as I do mentality that people latched on and stopped thinking with their own integrity. It was the down right disrespect of your time and energy just to turn around and be giving pennies every year and losing time God gave us!

I finally had enough in June 2023! While filming a TV series, I was in a room filled with people that felt the same. I felt like I found my tribe! I felt that I could accomplish anything if I put the same level of work in I did at the “Man’s” job. The same drive I had for other people’s dreams was what I needed to kick mine off. That’s all it is right, you working for someone that took the risk of wanting more out of life and making a living. As they grew and the profits got in the green,you spent more and more time on their watch to maintain it. So at this point, the “man” is spending time with his family and traveling the world all the while you have to “ask” to be apart of your own family. Just what kind of life was that. Now hear me out and hear me good. I am not knocking the average “Worker Bee”! Everyone has their place in society. This is about me,right? Lol

Me quitting was me saying I’m going to risk it all,the comfort,the somewhat stability, the constant paycheck to paycheck cycle etc… I had to make up in my mind that I could do this. What I didn’t know was that it can be lonely, stressful and sometimes discouraging. All the things I’m sure the “Man” felt when making his dream work. With no financial backing and knowledge I took the big leap! Would I do it again? Absolutely! Betting on me has always been my niche! Now let’s explore some of the things I’ve experienced since taking my life back from the “Man”lol

In 2021 I popped out at a ghost Kitchen! I was in a way, thrown into this life by trying to help someone else live their dream. When they stopped I kept going and welp,3 years later you see how that’s going for me! I started my pop ups the same year.

My first one was March 2021 Dallas Soul Food Festival. I had one fryer,no team and little insight on what I was about to walk into. Upon arrival, there was some sort of mix up with the placement of the vendors and I had to take my place on a grassy area Far from the main attraction! When I sit back and look at it, it worked together for my good. I had so much room it looked like I was feeding a multitude of people. Really it was because I had one fryer and it took so damn long BUT this my story and I’m sticking to it lol the more and more I passed out plates, the more and more people kept bringing other people back to me buying more hahaha ha. I knew I had something with Fish Trap’n when this one lady came back and in front of about 100 people, stopped and said real loud,”SHIT!! These neckbones are Fire!” She said she had to come back and buy 4 more plates to take home. Everyone stopped,looked and laughed. If you know “us” we be waiting for the drama and a quick exit when something pops off lol the way she yelled had made everyone stand still and listen. People had a look like,damn, must not be good, but then after she finished, they all laughed and stood in that line to place their order. No one left,in fact,more started coming. That still didn’t open my eyes to me having the juice. I was just out hustling.

A couple of months passed and I went to another event in Carrollton. This time they had contest going for different categories. I never in my life put my “FAT CAT” in a lineup to be tasted in this manner lol I said,well,we shall see if I really got the juice now. As nervous as I was, I entered the Best Catfish on wheels competition. Now keep in mind, I’m new to the game. There were people there that had won several years in a row. They announced first place and guess what!!!! Your girl won!! 1st place trophy came home to Fish Trap’n!

In that same year I did 2 camps for Urban Camp Weekend. IYKYK! When I tell you my line always stayed busy. Even though they seen my struggle of having pots and burners, my hands cramping up and sweating from the extreme heat, they supported me until 3am both nights! They all walked away saying it was worth the wait! They all walked away giving me encouragement and telling me to keep going. They all told me I was #Homeofthebestcat… I took that and ran with it.

Back from camp I was referred to TXTO (TEXAS TAKEOVER) with Nyjer and Barbara Reese! Them same pots and burners I took out there for their event. I received the same responses. They waited on me to Fry their “FAT CAT” and wangs! The same thing was happening there, when one got a plate they all came and got a plate! People from out of town began to tell me how good it was. How they couldn’t wait to get back to Texas to eat me out! Needless to say,I’ve been with them every year since. 2024 makes year number 3 for us being their food vendor! I’m ever so grateful for these opportunities along the way. They all truly impacted my brand and growth of my brand because people took a chance on me and let me do what God gave me to do.

At the end of 2021 I was already becoming a household name. At the end of 2021, I slid in the DM’s of a LGBT night club Marty’s LIVE!! I went one night on a Sunday and just said,let me try and see if I can make it at a busy establishment for late night eats! Oh boy, this was a hot mess in the beginning! The back patio was filled with equipment lol I didnt have a tent,table cloths,and at that time scaled up to a R&V works fryer. Lol you would of thought going from pots to a fryer would of solved my problems but that wasnt it at all lol The same thing happened at the club where my wait would be long, custos would complain about the wait but it was something magical that happened when they got their food. Lol its like the food had a magic memory erasing power lol as soon as they started eating,they would come back and apologize to me for being impatient because it was just that good. They would gladly tell the next person, it’s a little wait but its worth it. They knew to order and go sat down somewhere until it was ready! 2 years later we are still here and now have more days!! #fridaynightfishfry got so big,it spilled over to Saturday Nights where I was recently booked for the year! Talk about a comeback story! I will always love Marty’s for being my stable home for Fish Trap’n. I put in so much grind, that people from New York found me and my brand and recorded my first documentary that will soon be on the Starz app!! Its attached to a hit TV series. You’ll have to wait and see which one lol I was then asked to be the Main Food Vendor for the Club Owners Dog Show in October! You can’t tell me my steps weren’t/aren’t ordered

by God. I then,was just nominated and made it to the Top 3 PICK of ENTREPRENEUR OF THE 2024 YEAR! A fancy award ceremony for the creme of the crop boo!!! Oooh Chile! Talk about nervous lol we’ll see on March 30th if Fish Trap’n takes all!

2022-2023 just was a repeat of my first year. More and more bookings came in and the buzz about this “FAT CAT” took over cities! I took my ass all the way down to Wichita Falls,Tx and grinded my ass off! So much so, I end up throwing a block party to show my appreciation for the support they gave me! They opened their hearts and community up to me and I could never repay them for that. They made me realize that my dreams weren’t far fetched. This was no longer an accident that I’m out here making a household name. I gotta keep going.

Was all of this worth the loneliness, stress, anxiety, no support, and being financially strained by the instability of income???? HELL YEA!! I haven’t made it all the way, but you can’t tell me I’m not ON MY WAY! The journey is just that!! I’m going to run on to see what the end will be!

Honestly the best source of all new Custo’s for me has been word of mouth! Because I’m out here really grinding and making connections, people are able to see me up close and personally. They get to meet the grinder behind the dream. They get to meet a cousin they never knew existed in me. People love to honestly be around me. I never knew why because they love to call me a mean Ole auntie but I’ve learned over the years, that’s what they love about me. They love they can get a real reaction out of me. They love that I send them off with a, “you welcome baby”or a simple “be safe” statement. This world is huge and can be crushing. The last thing you want is for people to spend their money with you and not love you enough to come back! I thrive off of meeting people where they are. If you want to have a real conversation, let’s go to the back of the Traphouse and talk. If you want me to cuss you out like your auntie would do many times to keep you in line, here ya ass go! If you walk up to me and say you are hungry,wouldn’t you want someone to feed you? It’s just the right thing to do. None of this comes out of an exertion of energy. This is me in my natural element and I wouldn’t have the Trap’n buds/Custo’s I have, by being anything else but my authentic self. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY SUPPORTER! THANK YOU!