We were lucky to catch up with Generric Kyles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Generric , appreciate you joining us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

There was a time when I never took a real vacation. I would just go back home to Georgia to visit my family, but I never went somewhere just to relax. I love being with my family, eating great food, and enjoying a few drinks, but I never got the chance to wake up late, soak up the sun, or spend a day at the beach.

When I met my wife in 2020, she told me that I worked too hard and needed to get out of Miami to clear my mind. I wanted her to have the break she needed, so I decided to make a change. In 2023, with her help, I started my own business. Before that, we both worked full-time jobs while taking care of our kids, and I wanted to keep my promise to let her escape the daily grind.

We traveled to islands and visited different states, taking time to really unwind. After starting the business, I learned that hard work deserves a reward—a vacation. It doesn’t have to be long; sometimes just 2 or 3 days away from work, twice a year, is enough. Taking a break clears your mind, helps you see things more clearly, and makes you come back stronger. You just can’t work without a little play.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up in a small town called Colquitt, where family and food were at the heart of everything. From a young age, I watched my uncles cook for Thanksgiving, which quickly became my favorite holiday. Now, as a father, I make it a point to take my wife and kids to Colquitt every Thanksgiving to continue that cherished family tradition.

At 12, I moved to Miami, and when I was old enough to work, I took on various odd jobs. My first official cooking role came in my early 20s when I was hired at Sports Grill. I worked there for seven years, spending the last four as the kitchen manager. During that time, a coworker introduced me to his part-time job at Golden Rule Seafood, where I started working part-time. I eventually transitioned to Golden Rule full-time, and I’ve now been there for ten years, serving as head chef for the past nine.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life is all about making the right choices. For me, my life is about my kids, my family, and my wife. I owe my mom, Cristene, the world because she was always there to help me on my journey. When everything in my life was falling apart, she talked me through it. You never really understand how hard things are until they’re over.

Moving away from my family was a huge change. I was used to living in the country, and moving to the city was a big challenge just to survive. But that change made me stronger. Now that I’m an adult, I know I can help my kids face anything that comes their way.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I’m still funding my business, and as a first-time business owner, I’m not rushing anything. With my wife’s help, I’ve built a strong foundation by attracting clients, doing small catering jobs, and partnering with my good friend Patrick, who is amazing at making perfect three-course meals. I’m taking small steps every day to make my business successful, all while giving my best at Golden Rule Seafood. Golden Rule Seafood has helped me grow in so many ways that I can never thank them enough—especially Courtney Reeder, who has really brought my craft to life and introduced me to the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upinsmokechef/

Image Credits

Michele Kyles
Courtney Reeder
Stephanie Diaz