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

Hi Tiffaney , thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Starting my business was one of the biggest risk I have ever done in my life. Before I started my business, I worked a restaurant manager at a hotel where I was responsible for the dining facilities at my hotel. While working there I knew I had a heart for starting a catering company, I was passionate about food and service and my business minor was in entrepreneurship. While talking to my AGM at the time, he pushed me to go for my dreams because a life of regret wouldn’t be fun. So I decided to take the leap, I started working another full time job to save money and starting a finance class at my church. I took out my 401k to help with starting the business and the rest is history. Right after I decided to quit my job to start the business I found out I was pregnant and everything in me started to doubt the journey. I was really in need of God’s help when it came to my decision as I felt maybe I had taken to much risk but God Provided. My Hotel job offered to keep me on part time so I would have medical benefits until I had the baby and I was also able to work my catering events. With the money I had saved and started the business with I was still able to provide for myself. I also got a major deal with a golf course to provide catering their facility and also to take over the cafe that provided food and beverages to golfers. It was truly a moment where God showed up and pushed me to really know that my dream was really my purpose!

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

So urban taste is “THE FOODIE’S CATERER” our food is based on providing excellence in food and service. We really care about the food we service to our guest and we want clients to experience a meal crafted by people who care about food. We service corporate events, wedding and special events and we love dinner parties!! I got into the industry as a young kid, I was always surrounded by food and service, my grandmother was the first person to show me that when she was cooked for her family. I started getting into the food industry more professional while working for Aramark in College. At Aramark I worked in the catering division where we would host events for professional donors and alumni of the college. I loved everyday of that job as I got to see and learn so many things about catering. From Aramark I worked at different restaurants to really understand the importance of working with food and providers, I got to see small entrepreneurs thrive with working with smaller amounts of capital and I even managed a small deli for about a year to teach me operational skills. From there I moved on to hotels, the hotel side of the business taught me about the importance of service, going the extra mile for a client and seeing things through the client’s eyes, while also learning how to fix problems when they go wrong. All of those lessons I learned I have been able to apply in Urban TASTE. That’s what make us so unique we know what clients need and want and we strive to give them that. I am most proud of the food and service we bring to the table. I love when our clients are so excited about our services that they brag on us ! I also love that most of our clients still like to connect with us!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding my business was really a long road. As a African American woman who was didn’t come from a place where I had easy access to generational wealth I STRUGGLED. I hd to just get creative, I took out my 401k, I worked (2) full time jobs to save money it was just a struggle. I also realized that God would provide for me and he opened doors for me. I got a grant from the Asian Chamber of Commerce and was accepted in a program that helped with finances.

Have you ever had to pivot?

So 2021 was the pear of pivot, when coronavirus hit the catering industry was greatly affected. We just could not gather or do large events together when is what catering was all about. Along with the fact that all corporate catering was stopped because we simply did not have anyone in the office. It was a nightmare at first and I really didn’t see a solution. So after my freakout moment I talked to my mentor and created a plan. First we added take out meal and did a car brunch. We also applied for all of the government funding in order to get through the pandemic and I went in my savings to handle my personal bills. Here it is 2022 and 2021 was a great financial year and 2022 is off to a great start as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.urbantastecatering.com
• Instagram: urbantastecaters
• Facebook: urbantastecatering
• Yelp: urban taste catering

Image Credits
Sierra Wilson Rebecca Ellison Photography