We were lucky to catch up with Shari Shobe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shari, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

An important lesson I learned at a prior job would be an ism I learned at Quicken Loans. It went like this, “Every client. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.” While that errs on the side of perfection, it speaks to the desire I have to create the absolute best experience possible I can. Creating experiences are important to me and my brand. Going the extra mile doesn’t feel extra if you’ve built to go the distance.

Shari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who haven’t read about me, I’m a wife, mother and multi award winning chef from Detroit, Michigan. My private chef and catering service “Chef Shobe” is my way of making the world a more flavorful place. My passion for people allows me to service Detroit and all of its surrounding cities with my amazing staff. One thing that sets me apart from my contemporaries is that, I created “The Chef Shobe Spice Drive” back in 2020 as a collaborative effort to support my local food rescue organization Forgotten Harvest. With that project in particular I have been able to not only provide spices in time for the holidays, I have been able to connect with local entrepreneurs. Another thing that I am know for is my elaborate style of table decor. No two parties are quite the same and my attention to detail really wows not only the client but their guest as well.
What I am most proud of is how from I’ve come not only as a business owner but as a woman. I turn forty next month and in these last days of my thirties I reflect on all of the things over the years that’s shaped me as a person. I’m super grateful for all of the helping hands I’ve received and I’m so grateful to be able to serve my clients and community in my work.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my commitment to excellence and constantly trying to reinvent myself helped build my reputation within the culinary space. It may sound cliche but my biggest competitor is in the mirror. By focusing own my own business and no one else’s I am able to stretch myself and grow into the business person I’m destined to be.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At one point in my life I was a college drop out, I dropped out when my oldest son was just a week old. At the time I just couldn’t do both. I was 20, a single mom with very little support. At one point before I met my husband I worked two jobs to make ends meet while I finished earning my bachelor of arts degree. It was a lot of late nights and early mornings just to complete what I started but I am most proud of the fact my oldest was able to see me earn a degree.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thechefshobe.com
• Instagram: @chefshobe
• Facebook: @chefshobe
• Linkedin: @chefshobe

Image Credits

Alisha Hunter