We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Selena Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Selena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Cravin’s daily mission is to ensure customers are receiving quality local/ethically sourced three course, chef prepared home meals. Lessening the time in the kitchen and focusing on more time with their loved ones, all while making a conscious healthier decision for the environment, community and their tummies.
Selena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Cravin’ started less than a year ago by CEO and Chef Selena Martin. During the pandemic, the notion of a local source food box service came to mind when I thought about my customers and their families from my previous cooking school role. I was curious about how are they going to get healthy locally sourced meals on the table with everyone staying at home? I thought of a service that would help busy families not only during a pandemic but weekly as life starts getting “back to normal”! Additionally my recent role as a nanny, I grew to appreciate the struggle families have with getting a nutritious meal on the table quickly.
I started to research current advertised food boxes ( for ex. Hello Fresh) and take-out services. Sales sky rocketed for these services yet I noted the meal kit boxes still required you to do approx. 80% of “work” in preparing the food. I tested one of the meal kits services, and was instantly dishearten by the amount of single use plastic and the lack of flavor within the recipes. I started to envision myself making my own “food boxes” with already prepared meals and treats
My idea – A convenient food box offering either already prepared or need minimal instructions before you heat and eat. Ensuring all customers can get a healthy, nutritious, yet also locally sourced, environmentally responsible meal on the table in a pinch.
As I have expanded I’ve grown closer to my mission – creating stronger memories and bonds through food with in person cooking classes. These classes started in January 2023 and have been an alternative way to get people to use local ingredients, learning how, where and the best times to get these ingredient’s. Our classes start at 2 years old!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I honestly think being raised and born in Kingston really helped me kick off my business. I have always worked multiple jobs, volunteered, been into sports and other extra curricular activities so I had a large amount of people who believed in my products and services.
Once I started investing my time and getting to know other business owners, I started to do collabs, markets, and business deals with others and they always turned out quite successful. I slowly started to make a solid reputable image and I started to gain trust from other companies and their customers.
Customers started to see my ad’s and products more often, and once I had customers try my products or services out I had them hooked and maintained their loyalty.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Critical factors to obtain clients are; Word of mouth, social media, adversities or being where the target group – work, play and shop.
Offer coupons, attend farmer markets, consider other services than food boxed such as catering or cooking classes
On social media – be true to who you are, present your truths, people want to see relatability!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cravinkingston.com
- Instagram: @cravinkingston
- Facebook: cravin kingston
