Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriella Woodson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gabriella, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

If I’m being real… yes, I’m happier as a business owner, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, and it definitely doesn’t mean I don’t have moments where I think, “what would life be like if I just had a normal job?”

I remember one of the last times I had that thought so clearly. It was late at night, I had just gotten home after a long day of running between the store, a catering event, and the office. My phone was still going off… staff questions, client messages, something that went wrong that needed fixing immediately. I hadn’t even eaten a real meal yet, and I was sitting on my couch thinking, “I’m exhausted… and I still have more to do.”

And in that moment, I started imagining a different life.

What if I could just clock out at 5 p.m.?
What if I didn’t have to carry the weight of everyone else’s livelihood on my shoulders?
What if when something went wrong, it wasn’t ultimately my responsibility to fix it?

I pictured leaving work at work. Having evenings that were actually mine. Not checking my phone constantly. Not thinking about payroll, rent, sales, staffing, growth, problems… all of it.

And for a second… that sounded really peaceful.

But then I sat there a little longer, and I started thinking deeper.

Because while that life might come with less stress, it would also come with less purpose for me.

I thought about the impact I get to have every single day. The people I employ. The opportunities I create. The fact that I get to build something that didn’t exist before me. The freedom to dream, to expand, to create new ideas and actually bring them to life.

And I realized something really important in that moment:

I don’t actually want a “regular” job…
I just want relief sometimes.

There’s a difference.

I don’t want to trade my purpose for comfort. I just need to build a life and a business that doesn’t burn me out in the process.

That moment shifted something for me. Instead of fantasizing about walking away, I started asking:

* How can I build better systems?
* How can I trust my team more?
* How can I create boundaries so I’m not carrying everything all the time?

Because the goal isn’t to escape what I’ve built… it’s to build it better.

So am I happier as a business owner?
Yes, because I’m living in alignment with who I am.

But do I have moments where I question it?
Absolutely.

And I’ve learned that those moments aren’t signs that I’m on the wrong path…
they’re signals that something needs to be adjusted.

And that’s part of the journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Gabriella Woodson, and I’m the President and CEO of a growing hospitality and event-based brand built right here in North Carolina. At my core, I’m a creator, a leader, and someone who is deeply passionate about people, experiences, and purpose-driven work.

I’ve been in the hospitality industry for nearly 15 years. I didn’t just fall into this, I grew up in it, learned it from the ground up, and built my career through hands-on experience. Over the years, I’ve opened and operated multiple concepts including a catering companies, cafés, smoothie and juice bars, a food truck, restaurant, event planning company and more. What started as a passion for food and service has evolved into a full ecosystem of brands focused on creating meaningful experiences.

Today, I own and operate Chefella’s Catering and Events, which is a full-service catering and event planning company that specializes in weddings, corporate events, and large-scale experiences. We don’t just “drop off food”, we create moments. From curated menus to full event execution, our goal is to bring our clients’ visions to life in a way that feels seamless, elevated, and unforgettable.

In addition to that, I own Mood Food and Plant Slant, which are health-focused smoothie and juice bar concepts designed to make wellness accessible, enjoyable, and part of everyday life. These brands allow me to tap into another passion of mine, helping people feel better from the inside out through intentional nutrition and lifestyle choices.

I also created All in a Picnic, which is a luxury picnic and experience brand focused on curated, aesthetic gatherings—from romantic setups to birthdays and special occasions. It’s all about creating beautiful, intentional environments where people can connect and celebrate life. I also have a commercial commissary that provides kitchen space to other industry professionals!

What really sets me apart isn’t just the number of businesses—it’s the intentionality behind them. These business are a ministry for me. I share and spread God loves in all that I do!

Everything I build is rooted in experience, excellence, and impact all for the glorification of God!

I solve problems for my clients by taking the stress off their shoulders. Whether it’s a bride planning the biggest day of her life, a corporation hosting an important event, or a customer just trying to make healthier choices, we step in and provide solutions that are thoughtful, high-quality, and tailored to their needs.

But beyond that, I believe what truly differentiates me is:

My level of care – I’m deeply invested in people, not just transactions and mentor others as much as possible!
My leadership style – I pour into my team so they can pour into others
My attention to detail – every experience is intentional, from start to finish
My ability to execute – ideas are great, but I pride myself on actually bringing them to life at a high level

I’m also incredibly proud of the culture I’ve built within my companies. My team isn’t just staff, they’re family. We celebrate wins together, grow together, and genuinely enjoy what we do. That energy translates directly into the client experience.

Some of my proudest moments aren’t just financial milestones or business growth (although those matter)—it’s:

Watching team members grow into leaders
Seeing clients’ visions come to life and knowing we played a role in their most important moments
Being recognized in my community for leadership and service
Building something from the ground up that creates real impact

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this:

I don’t do anything halfway and God is number 1 in my life and I owe it all to him!

When you work with me or experience one of my brands, you’re getting passion, excellence, and intention behind everything we do. This isn’t just business for me, it’s purpose-driven work. It’s about creating opportunities, building community, and leaving people better than we found them.

And at the end of the day, that’s what I’m most proud of.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I truly believe my reputation has been built on consistency, relationships, and execution.

From the very beginning, I made a commitment to do what I say I’m going to do, and to do it well. In the hospitality and events industry, your reputation is everything. One event, one experience, one interaction can shape how people see your brand. So I’ve always focused on delivering a high level of service every single time, not just when it’s convenient.

Another big factor has been relationships. I’ve spent years being actively involved in my community, showing up, supporting others, and building genuine connections, not just networking for business, but truly pouring into people. That trust and consistency over time has naturally built a strong word-of-mouth reputation, which has been one of the biggest drivers of my growth.

I also think my ability to execute sets me apart. A lot of people have great ideas, but I take pride in actually bringing those ideas to life at a high level. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, or a new business concept, I focus on the details and making sure the final result exceeds expectations.

And lastly, I lead with care. I care about my clients, I care about my team, and I care about the experience we create. People can feel that, and that’s what keeps them coming back and referring others.

At the end of the day, my reputation wasn’t built overnight, it’s been built through years of showing up, staying consistent, and delivering excellence.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

First, I believe everything starts at the top. As a leader, your energy sets the tone. If I show up positive, solution-focused, and supportive, my team naturally follows that. But if I’m stressed, reactive, or disconnected, they feel that too. So I’m very intentional about how I lead and how I show up every day.

Second, I focus heavily on culture. I don’t just want employees, I want a team that feels valued, supported, and part of something bigger. That means celebrating wins, recognizing hard work, and creating an environment where people actually enjoy coming to work. We work hard, but we also make sure we’re having fun and building real relationships.

Communication is also huge. My team always knows what’s expected of them, and I create space for them to share feedback, ideas, and even concerns. When people feel heard, they’re more engaged and more invested.

I also believe in pouring into my team’s growth. I want them to develop not just in their roles, but as individuals and leaders. When people feel like they’re growing and have opportunities to advance, morale naturally stays high.

And lastly, accountability matters. A strong culture isn’t just about positivity, it’s about standards. Everyone on the team knows the level we operate at, and we hold each other to that. That consistency builds trust and pride in the work we do.

At the end of the day, high morale isn’t something that just happens, it’s something you create through intentional leadership, clear expectations, and genuinely caring about your people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chefellascateringevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatgirlgabbz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriellawoodson15
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ gabriellawoodson15